Newman University celebrates 50th anniversary with graduates at The Big Alumni Reunion
Newman University continued its 50th anniversary celebrations earlier this month with the Big Alumni Reunion, welcoming back over 270 graduates a day of memories, celebrating and reminiscing.
Alumni from the past 50 years joined Professor Scott Davidson, Vice-Chancellor of Newman University for the event on Saturday 11th August. During his welcome speech he said: “It is fantastic to have this event in our 50th anniversary year. To go from a teacher training college in 1968 to a fully-fledged university in 2013 without too many major interruptions is quite an achievement. I have to pay tribute and thanks to my predecessors who worked so tirelessly for the institution in all of its previous guises.”
As part of his speech, Professor Davidson launched the Newman Alumni Volunteers Scheme, an initiative set up to give graduates the opportunity to give back to Newman and support the next generation of students. The scheme is open to all Newman Alumni, and any interested graduates are encouraged to email alumni@newman.ac.uk to express their interest in contributing their time and expertise to Newman.
During the day guests were given the opportunity to have guided tours of the campus, which has changed significantly in recent years as a result of campus investment. The welcome reception was then followed by an afternoon of live music and street food. 130 graduates also stayed overnight in halls of residence, reliving their student days for one more evening.
A highlight of the day was ‘The Newman Heritage Collection’ which brought together photographs and memorabilia from Newman University’s 50 year history. Alumni were able to scan their photographs on the day to add to the collection, and the Alumni Office is continuing to welcome photographs and memories from graduates over the coming months.
Photos from the day can be viewed online.
The anniversary celebrations will continue throughout the year with a special celebration of Newman’s Feast Day on 9th October, and the re-opening of the renovated Darwin Building on 26th October, where Newman University will also acknowledge the 50th anniversary of the original cohort of students, who first stepped foot on Campus on the 28th October 1968.
For further information about the anniversary events or get in to get in touch to submit memories please visit the 50th anniversary page, call 0121 476 1181 x2515 or email alumni@newman.ac.uk