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Alumni come home for a day

By Sutton Eaves

Paper streamers, quaterbacks and beer played no part in Ryerson’s homecoming festivities this year. Instead, alumnifeasted on shortbread and apple juice as they reunited with old classmates on Saturday afternoon.

“This is a family gathering,” said Gordon Cressy, Ryerson’s v.p. university advancement. “We’re bringing friends together and having a good time.”

Festivities included tours of campus, a comedy skit by Second City and receptions for 10,25 and 50-year graduates.

Allan Gardiner and Alistar Stewart came to Ryerson on the weekend to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their graduation from electrical engineering. Slapping backs and chuckling, the two reminisced about the days when a beer was 15 cents and the local hang out was Steeles Tavern or Zanzibar – before it was a strip club.

“Back then there were something like 25 women at Ryerson – and about 500 men. The first dance was a madhouse. You couldn’t dance with a girl for more than ten seconds without someone cutting in on you,” said Stewart. “I was one of the lucky ones who got to bring one home with me.”

Little did he know that woman would become his wife a year later. Mary Stewart, a Ryerson fashion graduate, smiled at her husband as he told the story.

“We celebrated our 49th anniversary in September,” she said, wrapping her arms around her husband’s waist and giving him a squeeze.

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