Queen’s Law alumni returned to Kingston from across Canada and the Caribbean to reconnect, reminisce, and make new memories during Homecoming Weekend, Oct. 17–18.

“It was heartwarming, emotional, energizing,” says Mary Manocchio, Law’85. “We enjoyed each other's company and shared old and new stories at events hosted by Queen's Law and by our class.”

Her classmate and reunion co-organizer Martha Macrae adds, “Kingston and the Queen's campus hold a special place in all our hearts. With perfect weather and over one-third of our class attending, it was an ideal weekend to rekindle old friendships and forge new ones.”

The celebration kicked off Friday evening with a packed networking social at Jack Astor’s in downtown Kingston. On Saturday morning, alumni gathered in the Law Library for a buffet breakfast hosted by Dean Colleen M. Flood. She shared updates on Queen’s Law’s latest initiatives, including strides in advancing Indigenous reconciliation, the hiring of Professors Ivan Ozai and Bethany Hastie, and the launch of CPD-eligible intensive programs for professionals.

After breakfast, students led alumni on tours of the Law Building, where Professors Gail Henderson, Darryl Robinson, and Nicolas Lamp gave short lectures on topics ranging from affordability barriers in banking to the crime of ecocide and the future of international trade law.
In the evening, alumni gathered for class dinners across Kingston, where rooms buzzed with conversations filled with shared memories and long-overdue catch-ups.

For many, including Cathy Longo, Law’10, this reunion was especially meaningful. “Our last big milestone anniversary happened in 2020 during the pandemic. It was a less-than-ideal Zoom call,” she says. “This year was the do-over we all needed. We hung out while our kids made friends with each other — the pancakes at the Dean's breakfast were a hit!”

She recalls the supportive student community during her time at Queen's Law. “We just worked hard and supported each other (and threw a party or two). That’s held true since graduating. Law school is where I found my people, and looking around at the enthusiastic hugs, handshakes, smiles, and laughs at our class dinner, I know I’m not the only one.”

For Grant Lynds, Law’95, the connections among Queen’s Law community members are what make the school unique. “The bond among students, alumni, staff and professors at Queen's Law was formed at the school and in Kingston, so returning for Homecoming allows everyone to revisit and grow those relationships in a comfortable and familiar setting. Seeing campus alive with current students brought back memories of our own time — three short years filled with friendships and stories.”

He adds, “It was especially meaningful to reconnect with classmates and meet current students. Seeing so many of them at the Friday night reception and again at the Dean’s Breakfast the next morning reminded me how strong and enduring the Queen’s Law community really is.”

Relive some of the weekend’s best moments — explore our Homecoming 2025 photo gallery.

View full gallery and download images on SmugMug

[Download originals]

(Breakfast and Faculty Showcase photos by Bernard Clark. Meet and Greet photos by Lisa Graham.)

By Lisa Graham