What is Homecoming all about? Here are five things it’s not!

Summer is just around the corner, but Tracy Bowman [BA(Hons)/96, MA], Executive Director of Alumni Relations and her team is already planning for fall’s Homecoming 2024. Despite being a UM tradition since 1927, there’s still some preconceived notions about the annual celebration. We spoke with Bowman about dispelling those myths and encouraging everyone to save the dates – September 14 – 21 for Homecoming 2024 at UM.

1. Homecoming is not…just for older alumni and major milestones.

“Homecoming is a great reason to come back and celebrate your connection to University of Manitoba,” explains Bowman. “Whether you love football, music, art, lectures, campus tours or reunions, there is something for every alum, whether you’re a new grad, you graduated 25 years ago or you graduated 50 years ago. It’s also an opportunity to spend quality time with your family and friends on campus, a place you spent some of your most formative years.”

2. Homecoming is not…boring and stuffy.

“Homecoming has a long and storied history, but every year we put a fun and modern twist on this tradition!” says Bowman. “We’re kicking off Homecoming with a fun and exciting family-friendly event in the Bisons Football Game and Tailgate Party. Our exceptional UM musicians and singers will be showing off our brand-new concert hall up close and personal.  Every single year, something changes on campus and there’s always something new to see and discover when you come back and visit. Not only can you reconnect with your faculty, but you can also enjoy the celebrations with the greater UM community. Campus comes alive with a vibrancy during Homecoming as alumni of all ages mix and mingle on campus with the students – the next generation of alumni!”

3. Homecoming is not…just a football game.

“We start off with a football game, but we also celebrate,” explains Bowman. “It’s a great way to see our wonderful alumni, faculty and student musicians who put on a wonderful concert that’s open to everyone in the community. We also have a School of Art demonstrations where you can literally see what our School of Art students are doing, whether it’s pottery, drawing, sculpting and more. Whether you live in Hong Kong or whether you live in Winnipeg, you can participate in a learning for life opportunities. And we also use Homecoming as a wonderful environment to celebrate some very distinguished alumni during the Distinguished Alumni Awards Gala, where we share their stories and recognize the meaningful impacts they’ve made in every sector imaginable.”

4. Homecoming is not…just for alumni.

“It’s a great excuse for alumni to come back to celebrate with their fellow classmates, but really Homecoming is open to our entire community, including students, faculty, staff, and the community at large,” says Bowman. “It’s meant as a place to celebrate UM and participate in campus events. Most of our activities are free, whether you’re alumni or not. We’re opening the doors to our beautiful campus because we live in Winnipeg, we are proud of serving Manitobans, so we’re showing our community that UM is a destination to learn, create, work and play..”

5. Homecoming is not…just for adults.

“There are so many different opportunities, no matter the age,” says Bowman. “We encourage everyone to bring their kids and their grandkids to many of activities, and the one that usually is a very big family favorite is the Bisons football game. Kids get in free and there’s lots of great family-friendly activities at the tailgate party.  You won’t want to miss it. You don’t have to be a football fan to have fun at this beloved tradition!”

We’d love to see you back on campus for Homecoming 2024. Visit our webpage to learn more and register for individual events and celebrations.

UM Today Staff