It was a weekend highlighted by reunions of old friends, a fan-filled stand for a triumphant Lancer football game; a concert by an iconic band whose work spans four decades; as well as shared photos, yearbooks and fond memories by alumni who returned to Windsor to help celebrate the University of Windsor’s 50th anniversary weekend September 19 to 22.

Celebrations kicked off Thursday evening for an appreciative audience of UWindsor friends and alumni with a signature concert by Daryl Hall and John Oates at Caesars Windsor. UWindsor concert-goers enjoyed special pricing and opportunities to pre-buy tickets to the show.

Celebrations continued on Friday with a sponsor appreciation luncheon in the Augustus Ballroom of Caesars Windsor. UWindsor supporters and friends were honoured for their efforts to support 50th Anniversary milestones and were treated to a premiere viewing of the mini-documentary Our First 50 Years by Suede Productions.

The Lancer football team beat the University of Toronto Varsity Blues 26-11 on Saturday and were cheered on by crowd of alumni and students who took the party downtown to continue the celebration in the Augustus Ballroom at Caesars Windsor. The free community celebration featured a pizza bar, as well as salad and middle-eastern dips buffet.  Musician Jody Raffoul and his son Billy Raffoul kept the crowd entertained with a selection of Jody’s original work as well as covers of iconic classics from the past 50 years.

50th Anniversary celebrations will continue throughout the year with the next event—Fall Festival—scheduled for Wednesday, November 20, from noon to 1:30 p.m. in the Student Courtyard. The campus community is invited to come out and enjoy this outdoor event featuring vegetarian chili, crusty rolls and butter, apple fritters and cinnamon twists, roasted chestnuts, bushels of local apples, bottled water, live entertainment and some great giveaways. Portable heaters will keep things toasty.

Visit www.uwindsor.ca/anniversary throughout the year to check out the latest events.