Alumni return for the Big Reunion Weekend

Around 800 alumni returned to Cardiff from 17-19 July for the Big Reunion Weekend, to reunite with old friends, revisit familiar places, and strengthen their connection to Cardiff.

Graduates from across the decades travelled from around the UK and the world, including New Zealand, India and Barbados, to take part in a busy programme of events.

The celebrations began on Friday evening, picking up where graduation left off, with an alumni street party. On Saturday, guests explored university spaces old and new, toured the Students’ Union and reflected on how things had changed since their student days.

On Saturday afternoon, Journalism graduate Chris Fidler (BA 1996) warmed up the crowds at the Taf with an indie DJ set, and alum and BBC wildlife presenter Dr Rhys Jones (BSc 1999, MPhil 2003, PhD 2010) gave a guest lecture.

On Saturday evening, the Students’ Union hosted a special club night, complete with silent disco and a soundtrack of hits through the years.

While the earliest graduate attending studied in the 1950s, around a third of guests were graduates from the last five years. For these newest alumni, the event offered an opportunity to strengthen networks and build relationships that can help support them in their future careers and lives.

Alumni are an important part of the Cardiff community, supporting students and one another through mentoring, networking and career development, while helping to shape the University's future with their expertise, experience and generosity.

Chancellor Laura Trevelyan (PGDip 1991, Hon 2019), herself an alum said: “What a fantastic weekend it has been. It was wonderful to see so many alumni return to Cardiff, sharing memories, renewing friendships and celebrating their connection to this University. The warmth, pride and sense of community throughout the weekend perfectly demonstrated the strength of our global alumni network. Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make the Big Reunion Weekend such a memorable success. We hope to see you again soon!”

See highlights from the weekend

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For many attendees, this was their first time returning to Cardiff since graduation, and a much-needed opportunity to catch up with old friends. Whether they left five years ago or fifty, the Big Reunion Weekend showed that Cardiff really is for life.