Concordia University set to welcome more than 6,000 visitors on October 20
Plans to welcome future students are moving into high gear as the university community prepares to receive more than 6,000 visitors on campus for Open House on Saturday, October 20.
A feeling of anticipation always marks the days leading up to the biggest recruitment event of the year, says student recruitment manager Savvy Papayiannis. Yet the energy behind this year’s Open House is even more pronounced.
“Concordia is in growth mode — and we’re celebrating,” Papayiannis says. “There’s so much happening at the university.”
She points to the recent historic $15 million gift to support engineering and computer science from alumna Gina Cody (MEng 81, PhD 89), as well as construction of the living research lab 4th Space and an expanded Science Hub on the Loyola Campus.
“We’re making great strides forward and it’s fun to share that excitement with our future students,” Papayiannis says.
Open House is an opportunity for Concordia to showcase the experience of being a student, especially for those in high school or CEGEP who may still be in the process of deciding where they want to attend university next fall.
“Just being on campus, touring our facilities, chatting with current students — often that’s enough to help people make up their mind that Concordia is the right place for them,” Papayiannis adds. “We frequently get feedback that a deciding factor was the friendly, welcoming atmosphere at Open House.”
Spotlight on women in engineering
She also says the newly renamed Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science — the only university engineering faculty in Canada named after a woman — is a big source of pride for the whole Concordia community. Open House will include special programming centred on women in engineering, with a panel of female students talking about their experience.
Also part of the presentation: the story of Gina Cody’s journey from first female graduate of Concordia’s PhD Program in Building Engineering to the top of her field.
A global reach online
Many international students apply for admission and then arrive in Montreal to start university without ever having the chance to visit Concordia.
“We wanted to include those future students who can’t make it to Open House too,” Papayiannis says.
“We have a special lineup of social media content planned for them — what we’re calling virtual Open House — including the chance to get their admissions questions answered in real time, as part of a Facebook live video. We’ll also be going live on Instagram for the first time at Open House and chatting with students online throughout the day.”
Members of the Concordia community are invited to take a tour. | Photo by Justin Desforges
The whole Concordia community is invited
Many graduates who haven’t visited campus in a while may be stunned to see how it’s changed, Papayiannis says.
“We want to extend an invitation to anyone who’s part of the Concordia community to join us on October 20. Take a tour, chat with current students and just get a sense of the energy on campus.”
Concordia’s Fall 2018 Open House takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, October 20. Register now!
Events on the Sir George Williams Campus take place in the Engineering, Computer Science and Visual Arts Integrated Complex (EV) and the John Molson Building (MB).
On Loyola Campus, they happen in the Richard J. Renaud Science Complex (SP).
