Our first Kent Diamonds we’re celebrating from our alumni community are also Kent’s first ever undergraduate students. The First 500 were enrolled at Kent in October 1965 and have paved the way for generations of students since. Their contribution to the University is hugely important to our shared history.
We recently welcomed eight members of The First 500 back to campus where they shared their memories and stories of what Kent was like in 1965.
Hear from:
- Rosemary Bradley History, 1968
- Trevor Harvey Politics and Government, 1968
- Andrew Howard Economic and Social History, 1968
- Lynda Lee Economic & Social History and Sociology, 1968
- Paul Maloney Politics and Government, 1968
- Earl Okin Philosophy and English, 1968
- John Platt Economics, 1968
- David Wood Chemistry, 1968
Tell us about being one of Kent’s First 500 students?
Andrew Howard – “I remember moving into Eliot College on day one. The building was impressive – very modern for the time – but so recently finished that the first thing my mother did was clean out rubble left behind by the builders out of my sink!”
Earl Okin – “There really wasn’t any campus when we first arrived. There was Eliot College and the Science Block. The rest of the site looked like a scale model of the Somme until turf was put down the following summer.”
Lynda Lee – “Kent was a totally new experience. Totally different from school, totally different from work, and, socially, I met people from totally different backgrounds to me.”
Trevor Harvey – “It was nice that you could walk into the Eliot Junior Common Room and there would always be someone you knew to talk to or have a coffee with.”
John Platt – “We were such a small group at the beginning that you knew virtually everyone. We were a real community. I made a lot of friends that still sixty years later I am in contact with.”
Earl Okin – “It’s also important to remember that when we arrived at Kent in 1965 aged 18, we were still considered minors. We had to deal with a lot more rules than the students of today.”
Do you have a favourite memory from Kent?
Lynda Lee – “I was a student volunteer at Princess Marina’s installation as the University’s first Chancellor. As part of the role we were invited to the formal dinner afterwards, where girls were required to wear evening dresses with long white gloves. Myself and several other girls didn’t own anything for such an occasion, so the girls that did went home and raided their mother’s and grandmother’s wardrobes for us to ensure we were all kitted out with a pair of white gloves.”
Rosemary Bradley – “In my second year I moved into Rutherford College and I still have the first ever Rutherford t-shirt. I have lots of happy memories of lying outside Rutherford College in the sun, reading history books whilst wearing it.”
Earl Okin – “After the tricycle I used to get everywhere on was stolen, a friend who worked at a car hire shop promised to set me up with something extra special if I hired a car from him – which is how I came to arrive each day for finals in a Rolls Royce!”
Were you part of any societies or sports clubs?
John Platt – “There was nothing when we arrived in terms of societies or sports clubs. We had to establish them all. I formed the Wine Tasting Society. One of the highlights was in the summer of my second year when my friend and I were given invitations to lots of French vineyards. Everywhere we went we received such lavish welcomes.”
Andrew Howard – “The Camera Club I founded had an interesting membership that included the Master of Eliot College and the University’s Registrar. After one meeting they were both having a coffee in my room when Geoffrey Templeman, the Vice-Chancellor, knocked on my door looking for a lift home. I don’t imagine many students would have that experience these days!”
Paul Maloney – “I was the Treasurer for the Labour Club. There were only four of us at the time – including our Chairman, Reg Race, who later became a Labour MP.”
Lynda Lee – “A few of us ladies would have loved to have rowed whilst at Kent but unfortunately, at the time, only men were allowed to use The King’s School’s facilities.”
What advice would you give to our current students?
Lynda Lee – “To current students I would say, never feel that you are socially inadequate because you’re not. You are you, don’t let anybody suggest that you’re not.”
Trevor Harvey – “My advice to student is to work harder than I did!”
John Platt – “Sometimes it’s easier to obtain forgiveness than permission. My advice to current students is to have the courage to work for what you want to achieve.”
Paul Maloney – “If students are looking for sensible advice, I’d advise them to think about where they want to be at the end of their time at Kent and then put a plan in place to help them get there. If they don’t want to be sensible, I’d encourage them to just make sure they enjoy themselves!”
The Kent Diamonds campaign recognises the students, staff and alumni that make Kent shine. Learn more about our Kent Diamonds and our other 60th Diamond Anniversary celebrations.