President's blog

A trip down memory lane

22 March 2013

Stephen Dixon Sue and Stephen in 1992I've just spent a couple of days in Nottingham reliving some wonderful memories of my time as a student.

I decided to head up the M1 with my fellow Broadcast Journalism graduate Sue Hines (nee Clark). Here's a photo of us from 1992! She hasn't really been back since graduation and we decided it would be good to see some things together.

It was just great to be able to show her how things have changed, especially on the city campus and Newton and Arkwright. It's hard to believe that it's the same university.

We also went to a Distinguished Lecture on the future of medical research. It's always a joy to be able to soak up the knowledge and experience of a distinguished guest, this time Professor Sir John Saville from the Medical Research Council.

Perhaps the most important time though for me and Sue was the trip to the old media block on Clifton Campus. It was a real tear jerker to see the now defunct newsroom, TV and radio studios, but it was amazingly moving to be almost able to see our younger selves running round the corridors, chasing the latest news story, full of the excitement and vigour of people learning a wonderful new skill and starting to shape their future lives.

I would encourage you all to come back to Nottingham some time and just get a glimpse of life as it once was for you. It is actually quite a sad and moving experience but ultimately rewarding. Sad, because it emphasises the passage of time - and how quickly it has passed, but it's wonderful to appreciate how that promise has worked out, how life's path works its way through.

If you get the chance to head back to Nottingham, DO take it - and let us know, so that we can help you get the most of your journey back in time.

Stephen