Last weekend, students, offer holders, prospective students and alumni spanning six decades came together on the Canterbury campus for We Are Kent, a weekend of celebrations marking the University’s 60th anniversary. Across three unforgettable days, the campus was filled with conversation, laughter, music and memories as the Kent community celebrated not only its remarkable past, but also the people who will shape its future.
From the very beginning, Kent has been defined by its people. Those who arrived as members of the University’s very first cohort in 1965 stood alongside today’s students, including Sanctuary Scholars whose education has been made possible through donor support. Together they reflected the values that have underpinned Kent for sixty years: opportunity, community and belonging.
Group Captain John Platt, one of Kent’s original First 500 students, reflected on those pioneering early days during the Alumni Diamond Gala Dinner. Fellow founding student Earl Okin performed jazz at Sunday’s farewell brunch, delighting guests with music and memories from Kent’s earliest days. For many alumni, it was a reminder that while much has changed over the past six decades, the feeling of belonging they found at Kent has remained with them ever since.
David, who graduated in 1972, travelled from Beckenham with his partner Diane and vividly recalled arriving at Kent during one of the most memorable summers in modern history.
“I graduated in 1972 when it was all peace and love. We came in the summer of ’69 and in the six week period of July and August you had the Stones in the Park, the moon landing, Dylan at the Isle of Wight and Woodstock. Then, at the end of the summer, you came to university, so it was a good time!”
The memories came flooding back, but David was equally enthusiastic about the weekend itself.
“It’s been a delightful weekend. We’ve enjoyed all the music, even the rap music! The medieval mapping of the world exhibition in the Templeman was excellent, and the comedy was good last night.”
Across Saturday, visitors explored exhibitions, performances and talks showcasing the breadth of life at Kent. Student entrepreneurs from the ASPIRE programme pitched innovative ideas at the Marketplace on the Registry lawn. Visitors discovered the new River Trail, and the FREEDOM exhibition offered a moving exploration of freedom through the experiences of asylum seekers, refugees and migrants.
For many students, belonging begins with being welcomed somewhere safe. Wherever they come from or whatever their journey, Kent strives to be a place where everyone can find community, confidence and the opportunity to thrive.
As evening approached, Culture Fest transformed the Templeman Lawn into a vibrant celebration of creativity. Performances from Tayo Fanifosi, Marcellus Almazar, David Okotie, Kent Gospel Choir and the Circus Society showcased the extraordinary talent and diversity of today’s student community.
As the solstice sun dipped below the horizon, festivalgoers gathered on the slopes overlooking Canterbury for a sunset picnic. Student DJs provided the soundtrack, whilst festival glitter was available thanks to a collaboration with Fenwick. Among those enjoying the evening were five friends who first met at Kent in the 1980s: Tracey Connage, Justina Emanuel, Wendy Roach, Natasha Fearon and Angela Haynes, reunited in matching “Fabulous at 60” T shirts.
“I loved my time here,” smiled Wendy, before joining friends at the Alumni Diamond Gala Dinner.
The Gala Dinner, held in Rutherford Dining Hall and generously supported by Chartwells, brought together alumni and students for an evening celebrating six decades of achievement whilst looking confidently towards Kent’s future.
Alongside reflections from Group Captain John Platt, Sanctuary Scholar Aws Khalid spoke movingly about the opportunities Kent has given him and the sense of belonging he has found within the University community. His story was a powerful reminder that the values which welcomed Kent’s first students sixty years ago continue to transform lives today.
Kent Students’ Union President, Himadri, captured the spirit of the weekend perfectly.
“It has been an honour to be able to present the immense talent we have across Kent. This is one of the events which shows why Kent is special. Kent is community, Kent is ambition. Kent is Kent because of its people and we need to cherish that forever.”
Chancellor Yolanda Brown also looked to the University’s future, celebrating the opportunities ahead as Kent prepares to begin its collaboration with the University of Greenwich through the LASE University Group on 1 August. Her message captured the spirit of the anniversary, honouring Kent’s proud history whilst embracing the new chapter which lies ahead.
The evening also featured the Diamond Draw, generously sponsored by Fitzgerald Jewellers of Canterbury. Alumni and friends embraced the opportunity to give back, raising vital funds for Belonging at Kent and helping ensure that future students can experience the same sense of opportunity, support and community that has defined Kent for generations.
Sunday morning offered a quieter moment of reflection, led by Medway Chaplain Reverend Christa Brodie Levinsohn, before Earl Okin brought the weekend to a close with bossa nova rhythms, stories and laughter over brunch. It was a fitting finale to three days that celebrated connection, community and shared memories.
The belonging continues
We are delighted to share that, thanks to the generosity of alumni and friends through the raffle, Diamond Draw, individual donations and matched funding, nearly £8,000 was raised for Belonging at Kent during the anniversary weekend.
Belonging means something different to everyone. For some, it is a Sanctuary Scholarship that opens the door to higher education after unimaginable hardship. For others, it is emergency financial support during a time of crisis, a postgraduate scholarship that makes world changing research possible, or simply the friendships and encouragement that turn a university into a home.
This weekend reminded us that whilst buildings evolve and generations pass, the feeling of belonging endures. It begins with today’s students and stays with people long after graduation.
If you joined us for We Are Kent and have not yet had the opportunity to give, or if you simply believe that every student deserves the chance to find their place at Kent, we invite you to support Belonging at Kent.
Make a gift to Belonging at Kent
The celebrations may be over, but the memories live on. Browse our Flickr album to revisit the special moments that brought the Kent community together.