Over 3,500 graduates, friends and family came from far and wide for this year's Homecoming, held September 17-20. Thirty-three alumni showed up from the Macdonald Agriculture and Home Economics Class of '48, which took the Honour Shield at Mac for the greatest number of class members in attendance and made a donation of $25,000 towards the Lewis E. Lloyd Bursary Fund.

Festivities began in a jovial mood on Thursday, with the Sports Hall of Fame Luncheon hosted by former principal David Johnston and master of ceremonies Dick Irvin, BCom'53. Friday, things got decidedly more uproarious at the 29th Leacock Luncheon with court jester Derek Drummond -- who doubles as Vice-Principal (Development and Alumni Relations) -- warming up the crowd before bowing to this year's lecturer, noted humorist Josh Freed, BSc'70. Defender of the faith when it comes to all things Montreal, Freed gave returning alumni a crash course in how to survive contemporary Quebec. Freed also recalled a particular political action in the late '60s, "a huge rally called McGill Français, where thousands of socially progressive English-speaking students marched through the city streets in favour of more French for McGill and more French for Montreal. Congratulations -- you did it!"

At the Chancellor's dinner honouring the Class of '43, choir director Mary-Jane Puiu, BMus'81, made such a good-natured plea for the cash-strapped McGill Choral Society that Dr. Walter Percival, MD'43A, stood up, plucked a $50 bill from his wallet and donated it on the spot. Dr. Herbert Jasper, MD'43B, DSc'71, toasted the class and included some gracious words and a salute to outgoing Chancellor, Gretta Chambers, BA'47.

There were many more activities: receptions and lectures, walking tours of Old Montreal, and farm and eco-tours out at Macdonald Campus. In all, 55 class reunions were held across the two campuses. The first-ever "Lunch et Livres" was a resounding success, with McGill authors Edward Phillips, Vikram Bhatt and Blema Steinberg reading from their most recent books at the new café in the Bookstore. The Shrine Bowl on Saturday drew 5,000 fans for the game against the Concordia Stingers, with McGill prevailing in the defensive match-up, 9-4.

The closing brunch at Gibby's on Sunday signalled the end of another fine reunion, with thanks due to Homecoming Chairs Morna Flood Consedine, DipEd'71, MEd'77, DEd'85, and Suzelle Barrington, BSc(AgrEng)'73, PhD'85, as well as Alumni Relations staff and the hundreds of volunteers who ensured that all went smoothly. McGill News paparazzi were out capturing the highlights, and here are just a few memorable moments.

A win for the good guys McGill Redmen Olivier Lefebvre (left), BEng'99, and Jean Philippe Darche (right), BSc'97, are presented with the Montreal Shrine Bowl by Richard Waring, Potentate of the Karnak Temple Shriners.

Burger buddies Dr. Bob Broughton, PhD'72, of the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, and Lloyd Stephens-Newsham, PhD'48, at Saturday's Gathering of the Clan BBQ.

A last look around Homecoming participants take a walking tour of Old Montreal on Sunday before the weekend's closing brunch.

Welcome home (Left to right) Audrey Spencer and Colin Spencer, BEng'48, are greeted by Principal Bernard Shapiro, BA'56, LLD'88, and Phyllis Shapiro, DipEd'56, at the Principal's Dinner for the 50th Anniversary Class.

Author, author! Professor Vikram Bhatt, MArch'75, discusses his latest book, Resorts of the Raj, part of the "Lunch et Livres" event in the new café at the McGill Bookstore.

"Make 'em laugh, Josh, or we'll ship you to Toronto..." Moderator Derek Drummond, BArch'62, Josh Freed, BSc'70, and Dick Pound, BCom'62, BCL'67, share a chuckle at the head table during the 29th Annual Leacock Luncheon.

Classy donation (Left to right) J. Albert Legrand, BSc(Agr)'48, Jim Laurie, BSc(Agr)'48, Maureen Lloyd and Kit (Thelma Kennedy) Everett,BSc(HEc)'48, with the Class of '48 donation to the Lewis E. Lloyd Bursary Fund.

Fans in the stands More than 5,000 turned out at Percival Molson Stadium to watch the Redmen's 9-4 Homecoming game victory on a picture-perfect afternoon.

Back to nature Frank Upton, BSc(Agr)'48, and his wife Adele explore the Ecomuseum at the Macdonald Campus.

Out of my way, sonny Martin Silverstone, BSc(Agr)'77, shows the kids how it's done at the Alumni Rugby Game. The stalwart alumni defeated the current men's team, 27-25.

Singing at their supper Mary-Jane Puiu, BMus'81, directs the McGill Choral Society at the Chancellor's dinner at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel. A warm toast Dr. Herbert Jasper, MDCM'43B, DSc'71, gave the Class toast and saluted outgoing Chancellor, Gretta Chambers, at the Chancellor's Dinner.

Got milk? Patrick Stephenson, BSc(Agr)'95, MSc'95, and daughters Debbie (foreground) and Ingrid say hello to a recent arrival at the Macdonald Farm Centre.

Homecoming 1999
October 14-17

Let the McGill Alumni Association help make this a memorable reunion for you and your classmates. Homecoming '99 will mark special anniversary milestones for the graduating classes of all years ending in 9 and 4.

Contact: Anna Galati (514) 398-3554, or fax (514) 398-7338.