Throwback 2026 Brings Community Together at ÐÓ°ÉÔ´´
By
Elizabeth Kane
Photo Credit:
Marc Lafleur (ÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ Athletics), Melanie Mathieu Photography, Modern Trendz Photography
From inspiring conversations and musical performances to reunions, milestone celebrations and the excitement of the Panda Game, Throwback 2026 — ÐÓ°ÉÔ´´’s annual homecoming — brought more than 10,000 alumni and community members together to celebrate the people, traditions and experiences that make ÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ feel like home.
“Throwback is an exciting time of year when we welcome our diverse community back to campus to reconnect with the institution and each other,” says Corrie Hobin, Interim Chief Advancement Officer.
“It highlights a key aspect of the ÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ experience that is particularly meaningful to graduates: building lasting connections.”
A Weekend of Celebration
Across campus and throughout Ottawa, Throwback offered opportunities for Ravens of all generations to come together, share memories and experience what’s new at ÐÓ°ÉÔ´´.
The sold-out Annual Biology Butterfly Show welcomed alumni, families and friends into the Nesbitt Greenhouse, where thousands of butterflies filled the space with colour and life. At the ÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ Dominion-Chalmers Centre, JUNO award-winning alum and singer-songwriter Kellylee Evans joined Backstage Spotlights for a conversation about her career, followed by an open rehearsal by the Ottawa Symphony.
The also welcomed the community to celebrate its fall exhibitions, featuring internationally renowned nÄ“hiyaw (Plains Cree) artist Joi T. Arcand from Muskeg Lake, and ÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ alumna Faisa Omer, whose work celebrates the resilience and culture of Somali Canadian communities.
For alumni, Throwback was also a chance to celebrate the milestones that connect generations of Ravens.
Marking Milestones and Making Memories
Six individuals and two teams were inducted into the Ravens Hall of Fame as the Class of 2026 at a sold-out ceremony celebrating excellence in ÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ athletics. Alumni marking the 50th anniversary of the Department of Film Studies enjoyed a free screening of I Like Movies at the historic Mayfair Theatre; while alumni celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Bachelor of the Humanities came together for lectures and meals throughout the weekend.
Other celebrations included the fifth anniversary of CU@Kanata in Kanata North, alumni talks and receptions hosted by the , Department of Economics and the . The Faculty of Engineering and Design hosted the ÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ Planetary Rover Team alumni reunion and welcomed back the Engineering Class of 1996 to campus.
“We hear it from our alumni time and time again: ‘When you come to ÐÓ°ÉÔ´´, it begins lifelong relationships,'” says Hobin.
“That’s what Throwback is all about — offering a variety of opportunities for alumni at all stages of life to nurture those long-time friendships, reconnect with old classmates and forge new connections that will last for years.”Â
To stay informed of future reunions, events and news, alumni are encouraged to keep .
Ravens Spirit at Panda Game
Throwback culminated on Oct. 4 as thousands of Ravens gathered for the 57th Panda Game, one of the biggest rivalries in Canadian university sport.
Before kickoff, alumni and friends gathered for the annual Pancaker Pre-Panda Game Breakfast, enjoying a breakfast buffet and live music from blues artist and JUNO Award nominee JW-Jones.
Then, in front of a sold-out crowd of more than 22,000 fans, the ÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ Ravens battled the Ottawa Gee-Gees in a thrilling back-and-forth contest. The Ravens came within a field goal of victory after a spirited fourth-quarter comeback, but the Gee-Gees narrowly held on to Pedro.
The day captured what Throwback is all about: generations of Ravens coming together to celebrate their shared connection to ÐÓ°ÉÔ´´.
“Our alumni community is broad and diverse. Each member has their own reasons for joining us at Throwback every year,” says Jason Daley, President of the .
“For some, the events themselves — like the spirited Pancaker breakfast or the always-exciting Panda Game — are a draw. For others, it’s about spending time with old friends. For me, I come back to Throwback for the atmosphere. The vitality on campus and the student and alumni excitement reminds me of my own experience at ÐÓ°ÉÔ´´.”
As another Throwback comes to a close, the memories made, milestones celebrated and friendships renewed continue to strengthen the ÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ community — reminding Ravens everywhere that being part of ÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ is a connection that lasts a lifetime.
