Your source for business and chamber news in the Greater Kingston Area September 3, 2013
Vol. 2 NO. 8
Queen’s reaching out to businesses, community during Homecoming Networking events gives businesses a chance to recruit Queen’s students; free open houses and sporting events give the public a chance to explore campus By Michael Onesi
When Queen’s University Homecoming rolls around this October, local restaurants and business are going to be packed with thousands of alumni returning to campus. This year’s Homecoming (Oct. 4-6 and Oct. 18-20) – the first since 2008– will be a little different. The University is working closely in partnership with the community to help connect students with alumni and the Kingston community. Another important change that school officials are making this year is organizing more events for the general public. One activity that the local business community should take part in is the Alumni-Community Networking events at The Grad Club on Oct. 4 and 18 from 4-6 p.m. Alumni and Kingston business leaders are invited to come and meet with Queen’s students currently in graduate or professional programs. The students will be eager to share their research and future plans, as well as gaining some career advice and guidance. The event is being organized by Greater Kingston Chamber of Commerce and the Society of Graduate and Professional Students (SGPS). “Many businesses in Kingston face current and/or pending shortages of skilled staff across a number of disciplines, and connecting directly with Queen’s students while they are in school can help create connections for local businesses to find and attract their future labour force,” says Greater Kingston Chamber of Commerce CEO Matt Hutcheon. He also notes that Queen’s students are not only a major consumer group for
Kingston businesses while they are studying at Queen’s, but they are also a huge pool of potential future skilled labour for local businesses. Becky Pero, of the SGPS, feels the networking events are a great opportunity for students to meet with alumni and community members and learn from their experiences. “Additionally, these events are intended to strengthen ties to Kingston while encouraging alumni and community members to learn more about graduate and professional students on campus and their research and academic activities and interests,” says Pero. “Homecoming can have a major impact on a Kingston business community beyond just creating an influx of customers to local shops and restaurants. Hopefully the networking event can help companies meet some students who will one day become star employees,” says Sarah Indewey, Queen’s Manager of Volunteer Relations and Reunions. Here are some other activities where you do not need to have a Queen’s degree to have fun: Football games: The Gaels take on Wilfred Laurier (Oct. 5) and Guelph (Oct. 19) at 1 pm at Richardson Stadium. Buy tickets ahead of time; the games may sell out. Free movies: Downtown Kingston! is holding a special Movies in the Square screenings at sundown in Springer Market Square on Oct. 4 and Oct. 18. Soccer: Watch the men’s soccer team take on RMC at the West Campus field by Richardson Stadium at 5:30 pm on Oct. 4. Admission is free.
Open houses: many faculties and departments – such as Civil Engineering and the Robert M. Buchan Department of Mining – are opening their doors from 9 to 11 a.m. on Oct. 5 and Oct. 18 to show off their facilities and latest research. Student Clubs and Graduate Studies Showcase: Learn what Queen’s clubs and groups are working on and hear about the exciting research being done at the uni-
versity, at Grant Hall from 9 to 11 am on Oct. 5 and Oct. 19 Art: A guided tour of the Agnes Etherington Art Centre takes place on Oct. 5 and Oct. 19 at 10:15 a.m. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., a docent will be on hand to answer questions. Cost is $5 for adults, $3 for seniors and free for children under 18 and Queen’s alumni. “You don’t need a degree from Queen’s
to enjoy Homecoming,” says Indewey. “We want to reach out to the community. We hope people from the Kingston take the opportunity to explore the Queen’s campus and get to know the school better.” A full list of Homecoming events can be found on the Queen’s University Alumni Relations website at www.queensu.ca/ homecomng2013.
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