Graduation is not goodbye
28 November 2011
Every time I sit down to update this blog I try to say something to remind everyone that the Nottingham Trent Alumni Association is a big family - always there to help and support and always needing your help and support to grow and continually improve for the students of today and tomorrow.
I'm always reminded of how long it has been since I was an undergraduate, since Nottingham Trent was the key part of my everyday life. I really appreciate how some people feel that it was an amazing part of life but one that lives firmly in the past.
Since becoming NTU Alumni President I have been getting more and more involved in what Nottingham Trent does and as the year draws to a close I've noticed that my views of the University as part of my life, part of my past, have really started to change.
On top of the usual, occasional visits to the Alumni Office, I've given a lecture to Broadcast Journalism students, I've attended a dinner with the Chancellor, Sir Michael Parkinson, I've attended a lecture on the cosmos given by the Astronomer Royal, Lord Rees, I've watched hundreds of students walk onto the stage in their caps and gowns to the applause of their parents and friends to collect their degrees, Masters and Doctorates. I've handed out goody bags to hundreds of new graduates as they enjoy their big day and I've even been out on the town with a gang of Broadcast Journalism students.
The amazing thing is, it's just the beginning. I've got more visits coming up over the next few weeks, more 'Distinguished Lectures' to attend and more students to get to know.
Now, I'm lucky in that I live only 90 mins drive away and I have an excuse to head back and get involved, but what's struck me is that our doors are open to everyone, to every alumnus. There is a real chance to see what Nottingham Trent is doing, to see how it has changed and yes, to be jealous of the students enjoying the facilities now.
But what has really struck me is that although you DO look at the undergraduates getting stuck-in and think 'that used to be me' and 'I wish I could do it again', you really CAN be part of university life as an alumnus. Coming to visit, spending a night in the city and going to a lecture is very do-able and very rewarding and gives you a taste of that youthful buzz which still infects the place. And should anyone stop you and say 'Who are you and what are you doing here?' You only have to say 'I'm an alumnus - a member of the Alumni Association' to be given a big smile, warm handshake and pointed in the right direction.
We all look back at some points of our past with warmth and a sense of sadness that it's over - but being part of the Alumni Association means you're still a key part of our past, our present and our future and it's wonderful to really feel that as you wander round the magnificent city campus, the redeveloping Clifton campus and beautiful Brackenhurst.
Graduation is not goodbye - it's only the beginning of your time with Nottingham Trent.
Stephen