This past weekend, Ivey welcomed more than 800 alumni and guests back to London, Ont. for an unforgettable Homecoming celebration, full of reminiscing and reconnecting.
Events kicked off on Friday with class parties around the city. Altogether 25 classes reunited across both Friday and Saturday nights. Special class reunion events, where alumni commemorated their time at Ivey, raised $1.25 million this year.
On Saturday, alumni relived memories and reflected on the transformational Ivey learning experience as they came together at the School’s Open House. Staff and student volunteers greeted and toured alumni around the beautiful Richard Ivey Building and attendees enjoyed a complimentary breakfast as they caught up with old friends in the school halls.
“It was such an honour and delight to be involved with such a great team in the success of Homecoming this year,” said Aindrea Cramp, HBA ’98, Director of Alumni Relations. “I have many incredible memories volunteering and celebrating with my classmates during this special tradition over the years, including my 25-year reunion just last year. It was wonderful to see so many come together and reminisce over wonderful memories from their time at Ivey. It was a great weekend of celebrations.”
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Ivey Pledge Ceremony, and many graduates took part during Homecoming. After reciting the Pledge together and receiving an Ivey Ring, they joined the more than 15,000 alumni who have participated in the Pledge since its inception in 2004.
An Ivey twist on Family Feud
The Ivey Family Feud returned this year with Darren Meister, Associate Dean, Programs, as host — and questions tested contestants' Ivey knowledge. Reunion classes HBA ’94, HBA ’04, MBA ’99, and MBA ’19 competed in exciting rounds of trivia. The MBA ’99 class advanced to the final round against a faculty all-star team (Nicole Haggerty, HBA '89, PhD '04; Kathleen Slaughter; Mary Weil; Rod White, HBA ’74; and David Wood, HBA ’97, MBA ’12) and came out on top as the game winners.
At his first official alumni event since joining Ivey as Dean in August, Julian Birkinshaw, MBA ’91, PhD ’95, welcomed back alumni in the BMO Auditorium. He was joined by Western University President Alan Shepard, as well as Lisa Dymond, MBA ’06, Chair of the Ivey Alumni Network Board.
Congratulations to the alumni award recipients
During his welcome address, Birkinshaw announced Ivey’s 2024 Distinguished Service Award recipients: Darren Johnston, MBA ’99, and Mona Malone, HBA ’94. The event also honoured Rob Klassen, MBA ’89, a professor of operations management and sustainability and Associate Dean, Research, as this year’s Alumni Faculty Service Award recipient. These outstanding alumni have had a positive impact on the Ivey experience. Learn more about their contributions in the video below.
Following the Dean’s welcome, alumni grabbed lunch from Chrominska Hall and ate with their classes in Ivey classrooms. Many spent their afternoon at an Ivey Academy Lifelong Learning event on personal and team resilience led by Kanina Blanchard, assistant professor of management communications and general management. Others made their way over to Western Alumni Stadium to watch the Western Mustangs take on the Queen's Gaels, with Western winning 39 to 14.
On Sunday, festivities wrapped up with the Golden Alumni Breakfast in the Brock Pavilion for alumni celebrating 50-plus years since graduation.
Save the date for Homecoming 2025, taking place the weekend of September 26-28.
View more photos below.
Ivey Dean Julian Birkinshaw and alumni at a class party.
Darren Meister leads a friendly game of Family Feud.
L-r: Lisa Dymond, Rob Klassen, Darren Johnston, and Dean Julian Birkinshaw with Mona Malone on the background screen.
Alumni taking the Ivey Pledge.
There were fun activities for the kids, too.
Ivey Dean Julian Birkinshaw speaking at the Golden Alumni Breakfast.
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