Alumni Weekend

Alumni Weekend Banner

We can't wait to welcome you back to campus for a very special celebration! Reunite, reminisce and celebrate with your classmates, friends and family at Alumni Weekend 2023. You're invited to join reunion events, anniversary celebrations, learning opportunities and more.

Register today to join us on campus on Friday, June 2 and Saturday, June 3, 2023!

Rock this Town poster

Alumni Weekend Special Presentation: Rock This Town - SOLD OUT

Friday, June 2, 2023 | 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Federation Hall, University of Waterloo

Rock This Town brings to life the exciting history of rock music concerts in KW from the 1960s ‘70s. An insider’s look into the gritty reality of building the local live music scene. This 70-minute documentary features interviews with music business pros plus performances by today’s musicians. Rock stars come and go but live music is here to stay!

Rock This Town was produced by Betty Anne Keller (BA '69), who will join us for an exclusive post-screening chat alongside Joe Recchia (BASC '68, MASC '71) and other special guests. Step back into Fed Hall and relive the music and memories that made history!

Remote video URL

Event Program:

7:00 - 7:30 p.m. - Live music and reception

7:30 - 8:45 p.m. - Rock This Town film screening

8:45 - 9:30 p.m. - Post-screening chat

Cost: $15 Adult/Alumni, $10 Current UWaterloo Student, includes a drink ticket and concession voucher

Register now

Rock This Town Exhibits and Displays

Special Collections Archives Rock This Town Exhibit

Special Collections Archives’ latest exhibition, Rock this Town, showcases music in Waterloo Region both on and off campus, from Sangerfests to Oktoberfests, from polka to punk.

This exhibit was created to compliment the documentary Rock This Town, produced by Waterloo alum Betty Anne Keller (BA ’69), screening Friday, June 2 at 7 p.m.

Join us on the first floor of Dana Porter Library to celebrate the opening of this exhibit on Thursday, May 25 from noon – 2 p.m. Staff from Special Collections Archives will be on hand and light refreshments will be served. All are welcome.

Rock This Town: Music and Memories

Can you imagine a day without music? It surrounds us from the moment we wake up. You had to own an instrument or know someone who did, to hear music being played. Before radios became common, you might only hear music at a concert or a parade. Music became a force that brought people together. Since the beginning, Indigenous songs, stories and ceremonies had a great deal more importance, meaning, and impact to their daily life.

This exhibit endeavors to highlight some of the multifaceted live music moments we have enjoyed in the area, which includes a rock and roll confessional of memories from those who were part of the local music backdrop from the late 60s to the 80s. Through interviews, memorabilia, and music interactives, the exhibit is packed with backstories of famous musicians who played in Kitchener-Waterloo. Not to be overlooked are the many local successes we have turned out such as 80s Juno award winner for RB/Soul recording of the year Erroll Starr, Copper Penny, Major Hooples Boarding House Band, and Helix, just to name a few. You will learn why music and song continues to be an ingrained component of Indigenous life that flourishes in the modern era. It will celebrate early Waterloo when music was much rarer. How we hear music will be displayed with a history of musical devices featuring local industries Marsland Engineering, Electrohome and BlackBerry.

Learn more about this exhbiit at the City of Waterloo Museum website.

Alumni celebrating

Forever Black and Gold Luncheon

Saturday, June 3, 2023 | 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Federation Hall, University of Waterloo

Register now

Join us at Fed Hall for a gourmet buffet lunch, interactive activities and displays and live music. Reconnect and mingle with alumni and friends from all faculties and wear or bring along your favourite University of Waterloo clothing or memorabilia for a chance to win great prizes!

Milestone Anniversary Celebration

This event will feature a special celebration for alumni celebrating 25th, 50th, 55th and 60th anniversaries, with an archives display of photos and memorabilia from the milestone years and a celebratory address by University of Waterloo President Vivek Goel.

Cost: $30.00, includes gourmet buffet lunch and a drink ticket

There will be halal and vegetarian/vegan options available.

Presented by TD Insurance Meloche Monnex:

TD Insurance

band photo

Featuring: Jones and the Jackpines

Jones + the Jackpines are an indie trio from Kitchener-Waterloo made up of frontwoman Syd Jones (BSC '20) and her backing musicians Matt Wartman (BSC '07) and Graham Campbell (BA '08, MA '14). They play a variety of folk, rock, and Canadian indie classics, and originals.


Faculty and College events

Arts

Engineering

Environment

Health (formerly Applied Health Sciences)

Mathematics

Science

Colleges


Additional information

Pre-Event Details

Rock This Town

Doors will open at 6:45 p.m. and we encourage you to arrive early to enjoy the live music, archives and memorabilia displays and to pick up your refreshments before the screening begins. Wear your favourite vintage band tee or Waterloo gear for a chance to win great prizes!

WHEN: Friday, June 2, 2023 | 7:00 p.m. ET, doors open at 6:45 p.m.

WHERE: Federation Hall, University of Waterloo

PARKING: Complimentary parking available across campus. Lots M and R are closest to the event.

EVENT PROGRAM: 7:00 - 7:30 p.m. - Live music and reception
7:30 - 8:45 p.m. - Rock This Town film screening
8:45 - 9:30 p.m. - Post-screening chat

Your ticket includes a drink ticket and concessions voucher for popcorn or chips and a sweet treat. Additional drinks and snacks will be available for purchase on-site by debit or credit only. Attendees will be required to show valid government-issued photo identification in order to consume alcohol.

Forever Black and Gold Luncheon

Do you have any vintage UWaterloo items hidden away? We want to see them! Bring your old jackets, sweaters, yearbooks - whatever you can find! Guests who wear or bring nostalgic items will be entered into a draw for a chance to win some great prizes.

WHEN: Saturday, June 3, 2023 | 12:00 - 2:00 p.m. ET

WHERE: Federation Hall, University of Waterloo

PARKING: Complimentary parking available across campus. Lots M and R are closest to the event.

Your ticket includes a gourmet buffet lunch and a drink ticket. There will be halal, vegetarian and vegan options available. Beer and wine will be available for purchase on-site by debit or credit only.

Parking

On Saturday, June 1, 2024, complimentary parking is available in all lots except D, H and ECEC all day. Visit the Campus Map to find the lot closest to your events and visit us at our Welcome Booths in front of South Campus Hall and the Health Expansion building to start your day!

If you are attending the Forever Black and Gold Luncheon, the closest parking lots are lot M and R.

W Store

Celebrate in style with the W Store's wide selection of Waterloo Alumni branded apparel, swag and gifts! Shipping available worldwide. Enjoy exclusive savings in store on May 31 and June 1, 2024 when you spend $75 (before taxes) and receive 20% off one full priced crested item.  

South Campus Hall store hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Friday, May 31, 2024 and 12:30 to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 1, 2024. 

Custom UWaterloo Jackets, grad ring, diploma frames and course materials are excluded from this offer. This offer cannot be combined with any other offer/promotion. 

Hotels

We have a variety of locations offering special prices for alumni and guests coming back for Reunion. Spaces are limited so book ASAP to secure your room.

Walper Hotel
20 Queen Street South, Kitchener, ON N2G 1A3
$209 per night
Book directly online with code G-UOWL (entered under “special rate” as a Corporate or Group code)
Book before May 3 for guaranteed rate

Delta Waterloo
110 Erb Street West, Waterloo, ON N2L 0C6 (1.7 km)
$205-225 per night
Book directly online
Book before April 18 for guaranteed rate

Homewood Suites by Hilton Waterloo St. Jacobs
45 Benjamin Road, Waterloo, ON N2V 2G8
$159-169 per night
Call 519-514-0088 for reservations or book directly online with Corporate ID #0003242147

Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Waterloo St. Jacobs
55 Benjamin Rd, Waterloo, ON N2V 0C6
$159-169 per night
Call 519-514-0090 for reservations or book directly online with Corporate ID #0003242147

Courtyard Marriott Waterloo St. Jacobs
50 Benjamin Rd E, Waterloo, ON N2V 2J9 (5.1 km)
$174 per night
Call 519-884-9295 for reservations or book directly online
Book before April 30 for guaranteed rate

ON CAMPUS OPTIONS

United College Guest Rooms
190 Westmount Road North, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G5
$115 per night
Call 519-885-1460, email: utdhotel@uwaterloo.ca, or book directly online