Your memories : Falmer magazine : Development and Alumni Relations : University of Sussex

Reunited, and it feels so good

Picture this: laughter echoing across Library Square, coloured light pouring out of the Meeting House windows, embraces shared between old friends and memories flooding back in a wave of nostalgia.

The mountaineering club reunion organised by Bob Godden. Alumni reunite in Nairobi, Kenya. Physics alumni reunite to celebrate the 20th anniversary of starting at Sussex

Shared experiences

Each year, groups of University of Sussex alumni get together in gatherings that span continents and cultures to reminisce and reconnect with one another and their younger selves.

One glance at the snapshots from these reunions and you’ll see the warmth and camaraderie that is the hallmark of our Sussex family. From the Mountaineering Club reunion nestled amidst the familiar landscape of our campus, to the alumni gathering in bustling Washington D.C, each reunion has a unique history, bound by the thread of shared experiences and enduring friendships.

Set against the campus backdrop of rolling hills and Basil Spence architecture, members of the Mountaineering Club swap tales of daring climbs and shared triumphs. Meanwhile, a group of Kent House alumni stand proudly beside the Sir Harry Kroto blue plaque, a poignant reminder of the pioneering spirit of Sussex.

Sussex reunions extend far beyond our beautiful campus, reflecting the global nature of the Sussex family. In the bustling streets of Tokyo, alumni from SPRU recently came together to reminisce about late nights in the library and the groundbreaking research that shaped their careers. Despite the miles that separate them, their connection to Sussex remains strong.

In Vienna, one of our alumni volunteer consuls, Massimo Toschi, takes the reins of a diverse group – including a married couple who met at Sussex and a dog named Fridolin – who meet to reminisce about Sussex days and hear from guest speaker and fellow alumnus Professor Yusaf Akbar. In Nairobi, International Officer Khalid Abbas and consul Victor Waweru host a gathering full of smiles that say it all.

The success of the events is testament to the power of community and the dedication of the volunteers who work behind the scenes to keep our Sussex family connected around the world.

Alumni memories

Alumni entering the venue of the reunion jumped into full Sussex mode and mood – as if we had a time travel machine. We experienced both of Sussex’s beloved atmospheres: an academic intellectual event and a spontaneous follow-up networking gathering at the pub! We agreed it was necessary to meet again soon to continue the conversations… but this is to be continued because… Sussex University spirit never ends!

Massimo Toschi (Euro 1992)

It’s those shared experiences [that keep bringing us back together]. The clash of different ages and nationalities that generate stories, good memories and lifelong friendships.

Philip Worsfold (Geography 1996)

To date our group of the class of 68/69 have returned to Brighton as a group no less than four times. We also have regular reunions in our various hometowns/cities scattered all over the UK and in France! It is our shared experiences at Sussex which binds us together: we grew up together during our first time living away from home; we laughed and cried together; we learned together; we shared the excitement of going to one of the most radical universities at that time, in more ways than one.

Christine Pinder (Geography 1968)

Reach out and reconnect

So, as you look at these snapshots of reunions past, let your memories of Sussex wash over you. And if you find yourself feeling nostalgic, longing to reconnect with old friends and relive those Sussex days, know that you are not alone. Reach out! After all, the best reunions are the ones yet to come.