We were delighted to welcome 17 Kent alumni back to Canterbury on Friday 26 July 2024 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their graduation from Kent.
The Golden Graduation ceremony took place at the end of a busy week of Congregations in Canterbury Cathedral and presented a contrast to the original celebrations in 1974 which took place in Eliot College.
Those returning for the ceremony were presented with a celebration certificate, an official photo, and a commemorative 50th anniversary cap. Afterwards, our Golden Graduates and their guests were invited to join a congratulatory lunch at Canterbury Cathedral Lodge, which was attended by University Chancellor, YolanDa Brown, and Vice Chancellor, Georgina Randsley de Moura.
The event provided a unique opportunity for alumni to commemorate their decades-long relationship with the university and reconnect with their graduating class. Some came with lifelong friends they had met on their very first day at Kent, whilst others, who had never met, were able to reflect on shared experiences and mutual acquaintances.
By celebrating this significant milestone, each former Kent student was able to look back on their paths forged post-graduation and it was a pleasure to hear their memories and stories of the foundation the university had provided them.
Richard Hazell (Law, 1974) said: ‘[My time at Kent] was the happiest three years of my life… my studies introduced me to law centres, which galvanised me to want to become a social welfare lawyer and I’ve since dedicated my life to working in law centres – not private practice – giving free advice to those that would never normally have access to legal systems.
‘I would advise current students to get involved in things that are genuinely of interest to them. I just had immense fun and I think that’s the most important thing’.