Alumni, students and faculty of the Architecture - Project and Facility Management degree program gathered for their annual fall homecoming.
The annual APFM Alumni Homecoming event drew program students, alumni and faculty.
The sixth APFM Alumni Homecoming was held September 25 at the Cambridge - Fountain Street campus to celebrate 21 years of one of Conestoga’s oldest degree programs.
Event organizer professor Ron Bean noted the 18th graduating class will celebrate at convocation this fall and the ranks of alumni will approach 500 this year.
“They’re just doing incredible stuff and we’re all very proud of you,” Bean said.
Joining the evening celebration was program graduate Jehan Salim, who was honoured with a Premier’s Award in 2023 in the Community Services category for the impact she is making across the globe. Graduates return to Conestoga to teach classes in the interdisciplinary program that emphasizes a holistic approach to the built environment.
“It’s really exciting to see our alumni come back and teach,” Bean said. “Who knows the curriculum better?”
Retired faculty like Bean are also still involved in the program, and current faculty also came out to the event that included a short presentation, door prizes and time to socialize and network, including with those who joined virtually.
A new member was inducted into the Hall of Fame - Emily Cross-Wilkinson. The 2017 graduate and co-chair of the program’s alumni committee encouraged current students to enjoy the unique program that opens the door to wide variety of careers in a host of sectors.
“This is such a cool program. You’re going have the best time in the courses and that doesn’t stop when you start working. I’ve had a great career,” said Cross-Wilkinson, a project manager at Eagleview Construction in Kitchener.
Conestoga’s Architecture - Project and Facility Management is a unique interdisciplinary program combining knowledge and skills of architecture, engineering, project management, facility management, and business for the development of better buildings and environments. The program emphasizes a holistic approach to the built environment considering the full building life cycle, including strategic planning, pre-design, design, construction, occupancy and re-use, taking into account the owner, the occupant, and the environment.
The program is delivered by the School of Engineering & Technology.