Veteran’s Class holds special ceremony honouring fallen comrades during Homecoming Weekend
The Medicine Class of 1950, also known as the Veteran’s Class, will hold a special ceremony as part of their 65th anniversary during Homecoming 2015. With what has become a tradition during their reunion years, representatives from the class will return to the Medical Sciences Building on campus and pay tribute to their fallen comrades.
The Medicine Class of 1950 was comprised entirely of veterans, as a result of the Canadian Government’s Veterans Rehabilitation Act which offered veterans an opportunity to attend university with paid tuition in recognition of their service.
At Western, George Edward Hall, then the Dean of Medicine, and a veteran, reserved the entering class of 1945 entirely for veterans. As a result, in 1950, 93 World War II veterans graduated from the Faculty of Medicine, now the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry.
“The Veteran’s Class is a proud tradition at the School,” said Dr. Strong. “Men and women who served their country in World War II, returned home and continued serving their fellow citizens. They have a left a legacy for all students – one of outstanding academic achievement, commitment to communities across Canada and by helping to support current and future medical students with a bursary fund established in 1960.”
Londoner, and former orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Howard Cameron and former family doctor, Dr. Edward Roemmele, from Windsor will represent the Class at this year’s ceremony. The proceedings will begin at 10:00 a.m. in the lobby of the Medical Sciences Building on Western’s campus. Dr. Michael Strong, dean, Schulich Medicine & Dentistry, will welcome attendees followed by the playing of The Last Post, and the reading of names of class members who have died in the past five years.
The Veteran’s Class 65th reunion is part of Schulich Medicine & Dentistry’s Homecoming celebrations. The full lineup of events include:
8:00 a.m. - Self-guided Historic Walking Tour
10:30 a.m. - The Dean's Distinguished Lecture, featuring Bonnie Schmidt, PhD’93, President and Founder, Let’s Talk Science
5:00 p.m. - Golden Alumni Reception
6:00 p.m. - The Dean's Gala
For more information, visit www.schulich.uwo.ca/homecoming.
