Take 5: Five things to know about USask’s inaugural Silver Grads celebration

1. 2025 marks the 25th anniversary of USask’s Class of 2000.  

A 25-year anniversary is widely recognized as a silver anniversary. University of Saskatchewan (USask) students who studied in the late ’90s en route to earning their degrees in 2000 experienced the evolution of the internet and digital technologies, a looming Y2K bug threat (which thankfully did not come to fruition), and many other events that shaped the history of our university and the world.  

Silver Grads may remember registering for classes over the phone using U-Star, hanging out at the Campus Cove arcade in Lower Place, going to movies at the Place Riel theatre, and going to the Memorial Union Building (MUB) to buy used textbooks at Browsers or to grab a drink at Louis’ Pub. Highlighting our Silver Grads is recognition of their enduring excellence and the experience of  being a USask student in this memorable time.  

2. Silver Grads can now register to receive a special gift. 

Alumni who received a degree in 2000 can register before August 1 to receive a special throwback package in the mail, in recognition of their silver anniversary. The throwback package includes mementos to mark the milestone and a commemorative silver pin.  

3. Silver Grads can share their own photos, memories, and more with their fellow grads. 

Whether you took photos at your graduation with a roll of film or uploaded pictures from a memory card (remember those things?), we encourage you to share your memories and photos. At the registration page, Silver Grads are invited to share throwback photos from their time as students, from their Convocation ceremonies, or anything else that captures the Silver Grad era.  

Silver Grads are also encouraged to submit their own memories from their time as students. Did you… 

• Have a budding romance or make a long-lasting friendship? 

• Play for the Huskies or go to games to cheer them on? 

• Have a favourite place on campus to study or unwind? 

• Learn any valuable life lessons that have stuck with you after graduating? 

• Have a favourite professor/course? 

• Participate in intramural sports or campus clubs? 

• Have a fond experience living in residence? 

• Make preparations for the Y2K bug? 

• Follow a fashion trend that was regrettable in retrospect? 

• Experience anything otherwise fun and memorable? 

We want to hear about it! Share your memories and accompanying photos when you register or send them by email to alumni.reunions@usask.ca. Submissions will be shared on the Silver Grads celebration site and on USask Alumni social media platforms in September as part of the Silver Grads “Yearbook” feature. 

4. Visit the Silver Grads celebration site for more. 

Before photo and memory submissions are shared on the website in September, look at some vintage photos from the 1996-2000 era on campus and revisit some of the trends and fads, along with the top songs, movies and books of the Silver Grads’ Convocation year. The site also includes a playlist of the top hits of 2000—many of which were likely enjoyed on burned mix CDs by our Silver Grads! 

5. The Silver Grads initiative is a complement to USask Alumni’s recognition of Golden Grads.  

Since 2017, USask Alumni has honoured graduates enjoying their golden anniversary of 50 years since Convocation. Later this year, the Class of 1975 will be honoured as Golden Grads. Learn more about our Golden Grads from last year's Class of 1974. Are you an alum who is approaching your silver or golden grad milestone in the near future? Be sure to update your contact information so you can receive the details about your milestone celebration.