10 More Reasons

No backpack, no homework and no exams. That's just three reasons to come back to campus for Alumni Weekend 2011. Here, we give you 10 more.

1. Be Inspired

Opportunities to reconnect and expand your professional network are in abundance all weekend long and especially so at the Alumni Recognition Awards. Rub elbows with distinguished award-winners like meteorology guru Claire Martin, Bejeweled-creator Jason Kapalka, NextGen mover-and-shaker Ken Bautista, and best-selling author John Geiger at the post-ceremony reception.

2. Family Fun

It's never too early to show your kids, grandkids, nieces or nephews around campus. Check out kid-friendly tours like "Bug Bonanza"-a tour of over a million species of insects-or travel back in time and explore the world beneath your feet during the "Fantastic Fossils & Magnificent Minerals" tour. For details on other Campus Tours, including art and museums collections, click here.

3. Fall on Campus

Alumni Weekend is a perfect opportunity to return to the U of A to reflect on your days on campus. Admire the gorgeous fall foliage of the grounds, visit your favourite old haunts, and reminisce with classmates-all without the stress of classes and homework!

4. Sports Fever

Wrangle the whole family and hop the LRT to Foote Field to watch the Golden Bears football team take on the University of Regina Rams, Saturday, September 24 at 1:00 p.m. Or if hockey is your game of choice, the Golden Bears will be battling it out on the ice in the 27th Brick Invitational Hockey Tournament in Clare Drake Arena, September 23 and 24 at 7:00 p.m. Visit the Athletics website for more details. Go Bears Go!

5. Blast Off!

Inspired by the space race and the atomic age and with a nod to the future, The Stargazer is no ordinary late-night cocktail party. Hosted at the impressive new CCIS building, guests can get up close and personal with the stars and planets by visiting the Physics Observatory and even launch a rocket-yes, a rocket! By making a donation in support of student scholarships, attendees can launch their own rocket into the night sky with the help of students from the U of A's Institute for Space Science, Exploration and Technology.

6. Pedal Power

Do the people power the event, or does the event power the people? Stop by the Big Top Tuck Shop in Quad to enjoy the music of The Collective West, Democrafunk, The Be Arthurs and Marie-Josee Ouimet, who'll be powered by renewable energy generated by 10 volunteer cyclists. For more information on how People-Powered Parties work, click here.

7. Visualize This

You'll be mesmerized and inspired by the experimental film works of award-winning media artist Lindsay McIntyre at The Stargazer party. Lindsey's film and slide projections-with nods to the space race and atomic age-will be cast throughout the atrium of CCIS. To preview some of Lindsey's previous film work, click here.

8. Traditions Rediscovered

Though the original Tuck Shop closed its doors in 1970, its famously beloved cinnamon bun recipe endures. Whether you're a graduate of '41 reliving your days on campus, or a 2011 grad discovering a long-dormant U of A tradition for the first time, all alumni are invited to savour the taste of nostalgia with a Tuck Shop cinnamon bun available in the Big Top Tuck Shop in Quad.

9. Coffee Talk

It's been a while since class, but a visit to campus is the perfect opportunity to expand your mind. Learn about 3D body image scanning at the E.L. Empey Lecture, or stop by the Big Top Tuck Shop for a wide range of Coffee Talks featuring Alumni Award-winners Claire Martin on extreme weather, Cristelle Audet on humanitarians without borders, and John Geiger on Arctic exploration.

10. Flying High