Alumni from the 1960s and 70s reconnecting
Alumni from the 1980s enjoying lunch at Falmer campus
Art History alumni gathered at their event
Economics alumni greet each other at their reunion
We were honoured to welcome over 450 alumni back to campus this summer and early autumn. Led by the Office for Advancement, with help from colleagues across the University, alumni events nurture our former student community, support fundraising for hardship bursaries, scholarships and research programmes, and encourage alumni to give back through volunteering and mentoring. Find out how we created unique experiences for alumni from across the decades and disciplines and read what they had to say about the events.
1960s and 1970s alumni reunion lunch features first ever Sussex students
On Friday 19 September we welcomed over 200 alumni who graduated in the 1960s and 1970s back to campus, including members of the very first cohort to study at Sussex.
Following a nostalgic campus tour led by current students, Vice-Chancellor Professor Sasha Roseneil welcomed the guests. They then joined an In Conversation event with Sussex alumnus Adam Sisman who recently published the biography of Lord Asa Briggs. The audience shared many personal memories of Sussex and of Asa, who was the University’s second Vice-Chancellor.
Guests enjoyed reconnecting with old friends, sharing memories, and celebrating their lasting connection to Sussex.
One attendee said: “The event was very well organised, and I appreciated the many staff on hand to provide guidance in a university which has substantially grown since 1965! I also managed to track down a number of fellow alumni over lunch. This will most likely be the last opportunity I will have to attend a similar function - I am glad I made the effort, and again, thank you for arranging it.”
1980s Alumni Reunion takes people back in time with 80s student bedroom
We hosted over 150 alumni who studied at Sussex in the 1980s at the Alumni Reunion on Saturday 28 June.
Guests heard from the Vice-Chancellor about the University’s latest developments and speakers included Jacqui Harper MBE (American Studies, 1985), Professor Gail Cardew (Biology, 1994), Professor Martin Evans (History & French, 1986), Catherine Mayer (German, English, European Studies, 1982) and Ashley Pharoah (English, 1981) who hosted a discussion on Pop, Perms and Protests in the 80s.
Alumni also enjoyed student-led campus tours that sparked fond memories, including a tour of a specially recreated 80s-bedroom in Norwich House, inspired by alumni recollections. The atmosphere throughout was vibrant and full of energy, as alumni reconnected with old friends, revisited familiar spaces, and shared stories from their time at Sussex.
View photos of the event and take a look at the 80s bedroom on Instagram:
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Art History alumni reunion features leading voices in the arts sector
On Saturday 12 July the University welcomed 34 Art History alumni across all decades to campus to celebrate their study at Sussex.
Guests heard from speakers Gilane Tawadros (leading art historian, curator, and cultural strategist) and Colin McKenzie (a development and cultural leader in the UK’s arts sector)
History of Art alumnus Colin said: “There was indeed such a warmth about it all and such a continued shared passion that brought back to me very powerfully that sense of belonging I felt when I started History of Art at Sussex”.
Economics Alumni Reunion brings insight on leadership mindset
We were delighted to host 72 Economics alumni across the decades on campus for a reunion on Saturday 12 July.
Following a welcome by Professor Ingrid Woolard, Executive Dean of the Business School, guests heard from Economics alumnus Allan Ang who delivered his talk on 'The Leadership Mindset'. Dr C. Rashaad Shabab, Director of Student Experience and Reader in Economics at the University, facilitated the talk and lead the vibrant Q&A session. The event concluded with a summer party-inspired networking session.
Current student Fathir Suhaimi said: “Huge thank you for organising the Economics reunion last week. Fantastic event - I really learned a lot from Allan, as well as throughout the networking session.”