Stephanie Wilson has been a part of the Queen's community since her undergraduate studies in Film in 2005. She has been a part of the community for twelve years.  Below is the list of questions we asked Wilson, along with her responses:

 

Are you proud to be a Queen’s Alumna? 

"I am proud to be a Queen's Alumna. It was a difficult university to obtain admission to, and it is a challenging academic environment to thrive and grow in."

 

What do you associate with your Queen’s Homecoming experience? What symbols do you associate with Homecoming?

"I don't associate much actually, I was more of a lone wolf and didn't participate much in Homecoming. For me, the symbols of Homecoming are tricolour, and as well the generations of Queen's jackets on campus."

 

Do you participate in Homecoming? What activities do you participate in?

"I have not participated in Homecoming except for once. They were closing the old Film & Media house, it happened to coincide with my five-year anniversary, so I returned to make the walk from the old Film & Media building."

 

Do you think Homecoming plays a part in maintaining the identity of a Queen’s student? Why is it important?

"I don't see Homecoming as playing a part in my Queen's identity, as I didn't participate during my schooling here or after when I graduated. I do have a stepbrother in Commerce that participates in Homecoming every year. So for him, it's really important for him to participate and reconnect with his cohorts."

 

What made you decide to work at Queen’s University?

"I maintained connections with my professors after I graduated, a job opening came up and I applied for it. (...) Working here felt like coming home, the familiarity of the professors in the department has been wonderful. The professors were my connection to the department." 

 

CONCLUSION

 

It is important to note that Homecoming was banned in 2008, the year before Stephanie Wilson graduated. Homecoming in the past may have been significantly more of an intense experience than it is now. This may have played a part in the misuse of Homecoming as an event to reconnect with students and alumni. Wilson did not connect with her peers during her time at Queen's, and while her identity as a Queen's student makes her proud, Homecoming, as well specifically the Film & Media department, do not play a role in this pride.