Greeting once more to our esteemed class celebrating their 50th year of graduation
Celebrating a Decade of Change: Durham University's Golden Anniversary Gathering
Durham University recently hosted a special event to mark 50 years since the graduation of a group of alumni, providing an opportunity for reminiscing and strengthening connections among Durham graduates. The event, which took place at Durham Castle, Durham Cathedral, and Hatfield College, was attended by alumni from the classes of 1971, 1972, 1973, and 1974.
The 1970s was a decade of significant change, both societal and technological, for Durham University and the wider world. During this period, universities across the UK, including Durham, witnessed considerable student unrest and protests, as students demanded greater inclusivity, representation, and reform. The University's Golden Anniversary graduates perceived these changes as marking an expansion and diversification of higher education, with growth in academic programs and student populations.
This era also saw the emergence of heightened student activism and social engagement, reflecting broader societal shifts. Alumnus Geoff Blurton, who served as an Officer in The Salvation Army during his time at Durham, interacted with Church of England ordinands at Cranmer Hall, which may have been a precursor to St John's current ecumenical outreach program.
At an institutional level, many UK universities, including Durham, had to adapt their structures and academic focus to this new environment. Challenges emerged around the adequacy of older strategic and operational systems to cope with rapidly increasing complexity and changing demands for agility and responsiveness in academia, research, and education management.
One of the most notable changes during the 1970s was the introduction of mixed colleges, starting with Van Mildert in 1971, Collingwood in 1972, and St John's in 1973. Geoff Blurton enrolled in a BA (General) course reading Theology, Sociology, and Anthropology at Durham University and was upgraded to the Honours course.
The event provided a chance for the new cohort of alumni to meet and share experiences, with their University networks expected to support them in the future. Some attendees had not visited Durham in nearly 50 years, while others felt like they had never been away. The event was a testament to the enduring bond between Durham University and its alumni.
The University encourages alumni to visit the Congregation webpages, learn about the Winter Congregation 2024, explore the Alumni webpages, and watch videos of last year's undergraduate and postgraduate celebrations. Interested individuals can also explore undergraduate and postgraduate courses offered by Durham University. Several College Principals and colleagues from the Alumni Engagement Team were present at the event.
As the University looks ahead to the future, it continues to build on the legacy of the past, fostering a vibrant and inclusive community that values the diverse perspectives and experiences of its students and alumni. The Golden Anniversary event was a reminder of Durham University's rich history and its commitment to shaping the leaders of tomorrow.
Sources:
- Durham University Archives and Special Collections. (n.d.). Durham University's History. Retrieved from https://library.dur.ac.uk/archives.aspx
- Higher Education Funding Council for England. (2017). The History of Higher Education in England. Retrieved from https://www.hefce.ac.uk/about/history/index.htm
- University and College Union. (n.d.). The History of University and College Union. Retrieved from https://www.ucu.org.uk/about/history
- The Guardian. (2017, September 20). The 1970s: The decade that changed higher education. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/education/2017/sep/20/the-1970s-the-decade-that-changed-higher-education
- The Open University. (n.d.). The History of The Open University. Retrieved from https://www.open.ac.uk/about/history
- Reminiscing about the past and strengthening connections among Durham University alumni, the Golden Anniversary event marked a significant period of self-development for many, who saw the 1970s as a time of expansion and diversification in higher education.
- As Durham University continues to foster a vibrant and inclusive community, it encourages its alumni to engage in life-long education-and-self-development opportunities, such as exploring undergraduate and postgraduate courses offered by the University.
