Reporter-Sharing stories of Imperial's community. Rector hosts alumni receptions in New York and Toronto

Rector hosts alumni receptions in New York and Toronto

29 July 2011

Alumni reception New York The Rector, Sir Keith O’Nions, hosted receptions in New York and Toronto this week, meeting Imperial alumni based in the United States and Canada and strengthening the College’s links with academic and business partners.

The New York event was held at the British Consulate-General on Monday 25 July and was attended by over 111 guests – making it the largest ever alumni event to be held in the region. Alumnus Sandy Eames (Electrical and Electronic Engineering 1970) spoke to alumni about the kinds of events they would like to see organised in the region in the future, and there was broad support for a presentation followed by discussion and an optional dinner together. Over 95 people expressed an interest in getting an Imperial College Chapter, ICinNY, established in New York, and it is hoped that this is just the start of a full and varied events programme in the region. First events are being planned for this autumn.

At the second alumni event of the trip, held in Toronto on Tuesday 26 July, more than 90 of Imperial’s 1,000 Canadian alumni attended the Park Hyatt Hotel for a drinks reception, including Peter Walton (Chemistry 1964, PhD 1967), who remarked: “It is amazing to me how the College has grown, diversified, and developed since my days in the early and mid 60s. It is literally unrecognisable as the same College today. I was very proud of the College when I was a student and am equally proud to be an alumnus today. It is true to say that when one says one is a graduate of Imperial College people are always impressed.”

Commenting on the receptions, the Rector said: “I was thrilled to meet so many of our North American alumni in New York and Toronto. It really confirmed for me the appetite they have to get involved with and support the College. There was great enthusiasm to find out more about the latest College news and developments, and in particular alumni were keen to hear what they could do to help the College. I was delighted to be able to talk about the success of the Rector’s Scholarship Fund, and in particular how their generous support has allowed us to exceed our £200,000 target.”

Click the images below to see more photos from the alumni events in New York and Toronto.

— Elizabeth Atkin, Communications and Development

Photos of the alumni reception in New York