Golden Reunion 2013

Golden Reunion - a sparkling success!  

Over 150 graduates from the classes of 1957-67 gathered at Riddel Hall at Queen’s on Saturday 15 June for the main get-together of this year’s Golden Reunion. Among those attending the event – part of The Gathering 2013 - were 30 medics from the Class of 1963 and 60 former residents celebrating the centenary of Riddel Hall - the erstwhile residence exclusively for female students, recently reopened as the University’s hub for business.

The Isdell Courtyard – a beautiful atrium at the centre of Riddel Hall – was packed and bustling for lunch, undoubtedly the highlight of the day. Graduates from as far away as Australia, New Zealand, Canada, USA, Ghana, Germany and Switzerland were given a keynote ‘state of the university’ address by Queen’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir Peter Gregson. The lunch was rounded off by Dr Ian Brick, Student President in 1968, who offered a heartfelt toast to the Vice-Chancellor who takes up a new position at Cranfield University later in the summer.

The screening of a DVD of the ‘Class of 59’ - a UTV documentary first screened over 20 years ago – proved very popular. Featuring among others the then Archbishop of Armagh, Lord Robin Eames, former Belfast Telegraph journalist Alf McCreery, musician Phil Coulter and industrialist Tony Hopkins (who was present at the Reunion), the highly personal and reflective programme looked at life in Northern Ireland in the late 1950s/early 1960s and the intervening years.

A highly entertaining Literific debate rounded off a sparkling afternoon when the house was asked to consider the motion ‘The future ain’t what it used to be’. Proposing the motion were Mike Douse and Denis Tuohy and opposing were current students Andrew Carruthers and Julia Andrade-Rochi. Just about managing to keep things under control was debate chairman Brian Garrett, ably assisted by timekeeper Paul Shannon.

On Sunday, almost 40 graduates enjoyed a ‘Belfast bap’ for breakfast followed by a tour of Titanic Belfast, while on Monday a guided tour was on offer highlighting the key changes to the main Queen’s campus over the last 50 years.

Despite having to reschedule most of the plans at the last minute thanks to the G8 conference, event organiser Adele Ward was delighted with the turnout and the unique atmosphere.

“The atmosphere over the Golden Reunion weekend could only be described as buzzing! Everyone I spoke to appears to have really enjoyed the chance to renew old friendships and to hear about how the University has changed since they were at Queen’s. For me, though, the highlight was the wonderful lunch in the Isdell Courtyard when it was so obvious by the level of chat and laughter that our alumni really do love to catch up!”

“It’s great when graduates want to travel so far to celebrate their ties with the University,” said Adele. “We plan to feature a special Golden Reunion My time at Queen’s in the next issue of The Graduate – the annual alumni magazine –  so we’d love to hear from those who were here over the past weekend with their University recollections from the 50s and 60s. The Golden Reunion was such a great occasion we want to make sure we capture all those special memories,” she added.

My Time at Queen's submissions should be sent to Gerry Power, editor of The Graduate - editor@qub.ac.uk    

           

Top of Page