50th Anniversary Gala

More than 500 alumni, faculty and staff from as far away as Australia and Peru celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Faculty of Engineering at McMaster University on Saturday, October 18.

A special 50th Anniversary Fireball Gala featured the sealing of the 50th Anniversary Time Capsule, a special McMaster Engineering Society Sword Presentation, and the introduction of the Living Legacy Project, which will be showcased in the new Engineering building.

Dr. Peter George, President and Vice-Chancellor at McMaster, Dr. David Wilkinson, Dean of Engineering, and Dr. Les Shemilt, professor emeritus and the second Dean of Engineering, were the keynote speakers for the evening.

In attendance were many past Deans of Engineering, seven students from the first graduating class (Class of ’61), current and past MES Presidents, and current and past Super Plumbers and Wonder Plumbers.  Jay Ingram, host of Discovery Channel’s Daily Planet was the master-of-ceremonies for the evening.

Music was provided by The Groove Corporation, with special guest Tiffany Thompson, to get everybody up dancing.  Festivities took place in the David Braley Athletic Centre.

More than 100 items were donated by alumni, faculty and staff for the Time Capsule and Living Legacy Project. Among the items donated: a train engineer's cap ('64), an engineering student’s red suit, an engineering leather jacket, a 1970s Commodore Calculator, a slide ruler, text books, class notes, and Fireball and Welcome Week memorabilia. Donations are still being accepted for the Living Legacy Project.

Read the remarks given by President Peter George and Dean David Wilkinson.