Forging alumni connections during COVID-19
New alumni virtual programming and events available this fall
September typically marks a bustling time on the University of Manitoba campuses, from new students stepping onto campus for the first time, to alumni returning to their alma mater to reflect, reminisce and reconnect during Homecoming celebrations.
Fall 2020, however, will look quite different due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Though we cannot celebrate Homecoming in person this year, the alumni community is finding new ways to come together,” says Tracy Bowman, director, alumni relations.
During these challenging times, UM graduates continue to make an impact far beyond Manitoba’s borders, the alumni community now more than 148,000 strong and living in 140 countries. “This fall, we encourage alumni to reconnect with friends and classmates from around the world, reminisce about favourite UM memories and discover exciting new virtual programming,” says Bowman, who graduated from the Faculty of Arts in 1996.
There are many opportunities for alumni to connect with UM and each other:
- Watch for the exciting announcement of the Distinguished Alumni Award recipients in the digital fall issue of UM Today: The Magazine in the coming weeks.
- Connect with alumni from around the world at the Alumni Association AGM on Sept. 30.
- Explore new topics at an upcoming virtual Learning for Life program.
- Hear from human ‘books’ during the Indigenous Alumni Living Library on Oct. 2 and read along with the UM Alumni Book Club.
- Share a (virtual) cup of coffee and exchange knowledge and advice through the online networking and mentoring platform UM Café: Ten Thousand Coffees.
UM will celebrate milestone reunions in the future when it is safe to do so, and will take this time to reflect on the evolution of Homecoming going forward.
Visit UM Alumni for more information on all of our upcoming programs and virtual events, and be sure to follow us on social media for the latest alumni news.