We had the pleasure of showing a group of alumni around our lovely campus to celebrate 50 years since they started university. The seven former Environmental Science students have stayed in touch since graduating and became even closer when they started Zoom-calling during lockdown.
Coming back to campus, they were able to share memories, recognise places, be in awe at new buildings and explore the University archives.
One alumna, Gill Bellenie, got in touch to share some beautiful memories after the tour.
“I joined the Environmental Sciences Course in 1975 through Clearing, relieved to have found a university that would accept my ONC in Mechanical Engineering.”
“It was the right mix of practical and academic study for me, taking the Town and Country Planning option in my third year. I subsequently became a Chartered Surveyor, a profession that would probably not have been open to me without my degree from Salford.”
“My memories are of concerts in Maxwell Hall, lots of pub nights, and managing life on a very small budget: £4 a week for accommodation and £4 a week for everything else. I lodged in Swinton, one short bus ride away.”
“I remember a really inspiring lecture by Professor Graham Ashworth on the Council of Europe, climate change, and the need to pull together as Europeans – way ahead of its time.”
“I spent a lot of time in Community Services, based in the Student Union Building under Ellen Marie Marquez. We ran a Welfare Rights stall on Saturday mornings at the market in Salford Precinct and took local children on visits to Blackpool in a minibus.”
Gill was also blown away by how much the University has changed since they graduated.
“What really struck us on our visit was the close links with industry, the care with which undergraduates are looked after and the standard and design of the new buildings. You made us most welcome, and we were so impressed with the way the University has grown over the last 50 years.”
“We came away feeling really proud to be alumni of Salford University all over again.”
It is always lovely to see our alumni cherish their lifelong friendships and the impact the University has on their lives. Thank you to all who joined us on the tour, and we wish you all the best!
If you would like to arrange your own campus tour, contact us at alumni@salford.ac.uk. We would love to show you round!