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Reunion maps out 50 years of memories

Concordia’s Department of Geography, Planning and Environment celebrates milestone anniversary
May 2, 2014
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By James Gibbons

It was a golden anniversary for Concordia’s Department of Geography, Planning and Environment. Generations of faculty and alumni convened to celebrate the department’s half-century milestone anniversary on April 25.

The cocktail reception was organized by Concordia’s Advancement and Alumni Relations to celebrate a department that has significantly grown since its 1963 creation.

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Alumni, faculty and staff celebrate 50 years for the Department of Geography, Planning and Environment | Photo credit: Joseph Dresdner

“We used to be able to photograph the entire graduating class on the front steps. Not anymore,” said David Greene, chair of the department of geography,planning and environment, noting the department has grown to become the fourth largest of its kind in the world.

Black and white photos of graduating classes adorned the walls of the Urban Planning and Design Studio in the Henry F. Hall Building, where the gathering took place.

Keshav Letourneau, David Greene, Philippe Junger, Brian Slack and Alan Nash | Photo credit: Joseph Dresdner

"Geography was a real eye-opener for me,” said one of those graduates, Philippe Junger, BSc 88.

“I draw on my education as vice-president of development at Eolectric, which specializes in wind-energy.”

The department, which has relocated over a half-dozen times to accommodate its growth, looks forward to many years to come.

Addressing the crowd, Professor Emeritus Brian Slack said: “There are some here who could toast the department’s 100th anniversary,” as he gestured toward younger grads in attendance.

“Wow, talk about memories. For me it’s exactly 40 years since I graduated — kind of scary yet in many ways it felt like it was yesterday,” said Gary Fabian, BA 74.

Some alumni were just happy to see familiar faces.

“I talked to a classmate who flew in from Calgary. It’s nice to re-connect with people you don’t see often,” said Carolina Caruso, BSc 85.

“Networking with people in the department has been just as important as doing well in class,” said Keshav Letourneau, GrDipl 06, BSc 03. “I found my current job through someone I know in the department.”

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