Last month, we had the pleasure of welcoming a very special group back to campus — alumni celebrating their 40-year reunion! Twelve former students, who studied across a range of disciplines, returned to Salford to reconnect, reminisce, and reflect on how far they’ve come since their university days.

Alumni in a lecture hall after 40 years.
Alumni in a lecture hall after 40 years.

Among them was Duncan, who shared some beautiful memories:

“Well, I met my wife at Salford University and we are about to celebrate our 35th wedding anniversary along with my youngest daughter getting a 1st class degree and distinction in her master. This place has a lot of amazing memories. There are things that have changed (student accommodation, the Pav etc.) but things have evolved and improved, you have a swimming pool!”

“It brought back memories of revising for my exams in the library with Sue in the next cubicle, and when we watched Erasure at the students’ union, then watched them again at the Hacienda club. But one amazing memory was being together again with all my friends, one I hadn’t seen since the last day of term 40years ago.”

We were especially proud to have Dr Sue Folley, Duncan’s wife and fellow Salford alumna, join the tour. Just recently, Sue was awarded a National Teaching Fellowship — a prestigious recognition celebrating individuals who’ve made an outstanding impact on student outcomes and the teaching profession. Huge congratulations to Sue! The reunion was a beautiful reminder of the lifelong connections formed at university — and the incredible journeys our alumni go on to achieve. Thank you to everyone who joined