1967 to 2017 – Back On Campus!

On Wednesday, June 21, a group of 8 alumni returned to York St John 50 years after their graduation in 1967. Led by Ron Blackburn, they spent some time in the Heritage Room poring over artefacts and records from their time. Many stories and contemporaries were remembered, as this group of mostly PE former students bantered and laughed about their time here. It was wonderful also to see Malcolm Gill (not pictured) who graduated 2 years before the group, and who has brought several reunion groups back to York St John.

When these alumni were students back in the mid 1960’s, the college chapel was in construction and actually opened while they were here. The student population was fewer than 1,000, the B.Ed degree was brand new, and women students had only recently been introduced. The Croft twin gymnasia were fondly remembered as were the Hull Rd playing fields and teachers such as Stanley Barnes and Tom Courser. A draft video about the newly-completed Haxby Rd Sports Park was shared, and the group was suitably impressed with the facilities there.

Walking around the campus and seeing how the University has succeeded in blending the old and new facilities, the alumni were effusive in their admiration of all that they saw.

Alumni who are thinking of planning a similar reunion are encouraged to contact Alumni Relations Coordinator, Billy Jones.