25th anniversary of university education in Newcastle dinner, St. John's College, Cambridge, 20 August 1977
From: University News. Vol. 2, No. 14,. 25 August 1977, p. 1.
THE FIRST 25 YEARS TOASTED "Graduates near" and "graduates afar" gathered almost simultaneously to toast the University at dinners on August 20. Some of the guests at the dinner in Cambridge
The dinners, held in Newcastle and Cambridge, shared a dual purpose: to remember the opening of Newcastle University College 25 years ago, and to reunite old graduates of the University.
Both functions were presented by Convocation.
The Newcastle dinner at Edwards Hall was attended by 230 graduates, members of staff and their spouses, who showed that they fully approved the night's happenings.
Traces of nostalgia were in the air during the proceedings. First, there was a welcome by the Warden of Convocation, Mr. B.W. Relf, then, a toast to the Quarter Century by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Don George, then reminiscences by the first Vice-Chancellor, Emeritus Professor James Auchmuty and, last, a special University birthday cake. When the feasting ended there was happy and enthusiastic verbal intercourse and people were reluctant to leave.
The Cambridge dinner was held in St. John's College and attended by 17 graduates of the University living in England and Europe. Some travelled long distances. For example Margaret Norris, of Toronto, a post-graduate German student of this University, flew from Vienna, where she is doing research.
Sir Hugh Springer, Secretary-General of the Association of Commonwealth Universities was the guest speaker.
Professor Godfrey Tanner, who is a Fellow of St. John's College, said grace and Professor R.W. Upfold, of Wollongong University, a 1955 Bachelor of Engineering graduate, proposed the toast to Newcastle University. Convocation's role in University affairs was toasted by Miss Carmen Johanson, who is studying for a Ph.D. in Classics at Girton College, Cambridge, and Mr W.G. Jones, a Lecturer in Psychology at Newcastle College of Advanced Education, who is studying at the Open University. Miss Johanson and Mr Jones are former Secretaries of Convocation.
Mr. Relf stated that Mr. Jones deserved Convocation's gratitude for having organised the reunion for graduates.
