Golden Reunion for First Ever Graduates

Guest of honour Sir Christian Bonington delivered a message of congratulations from founding Chancellor of Lancaster University HRH Princess Alexandra who thanked the original ‘pioneering’ students of 1967 for their role in helping the university flourish. 

Lancaster University Alumnus John Kind (BA Economics 1967) spoke about their cohort as those who “started from scratch” when there were no societies, clubs or student magazine. He said the new students were “full of energy and enthusiasm” and within a couple of terms had set up Carolynne (the student newspaper), the student council, music groups and sports clubs. 

He said: “A great reason to be here today is to celebrate the University’s progress. Let us wish the University the best of fortune in the future. The last 50 years have been exceptional and we have no reason to believe that the next 50 will not be as, if not more, exceptional.” 

Nick Fragel, Director of Alumni and Development at Lancaster University said: "Lancaster's first student cohort are special to us because they were our pioneers.  They helped launch our University on its path to success. So it was a privilege and pleasure to share in the 50th anniversary of their graduation, and fitting that this took place just 48 hours after we graduated the first students on our campus in Ghana"

Lancaster University Vice-Chancellor Professor Mark E. Smith said: “Back in the 1960s, this group of students were taking a risk coming to one of the new Universities that were forming at that time. At this reunion, it was wonderful to be able to reflect on the University’s development and successes over the last 50 years, and to share the news that Lancaster has been named as University of Year. We hope that Lancaster University has done our first cohort of graduates proud. We, of course, are very proud of them.”

Photos may be viewed here