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The Queen officially unveiling the Library plaque

From lectures to group projects, part-time jobs to epic nights out, student life can be a whirlwind. Amidst this frenetic pace, it’s easy to forget to take time to pause and reflect. Some of the memories you make during your time at Sussex will stay with you for the rest of your life. We thought we would take a walk memory lane with some students of yesteryear to find out what moments have stood the test of time for them. Read on to hear about epic gigs, sporting achievements and long-lasting loves.

What will you remember about your time here in years to come?

Celebrity spotting

Whilst we do have a number of rockstar academics at the University (here’s looking at you, Anil Seth), we are also occasionally visited by VIPs from the wider world. Royal spotters got lucky twice over the years when Queen Elizabeth II visited to open the Library in 1964 and, nearly fifty years later, to open The Keep in 2013. In fact, as “Official Visitor” of the University of Sussex, the Queen had an official role in overseeing the University that started with her approving the royal charter that signalled the founding of the institution in 1961.

Bill Cowie, an American Studies student in 1964, had particular reason to remember the Queen's visit, when she stopped to ask him “are you working – or just pretending to?”

Read more memories of the Queen.

Play it again, Sam

Been to any good gigs lately? Sussex has played host to some pretty big names over the years, from rock 'n' roll royalty Chuck Berry’s appearance in the 60s, to the influx of britpop bands such as Blur, Pulp and Radiohead in the 90s and more recent impromptu shows from Amy Winehouse and Bombay Bicycle Club in the 2000s and 2010s.

Jimi Hendrix playing in Falmer House is one gig that has gone down in Sussex folklore. Carol Lashmar (BIOLS 1966), who was helping on the night remembers “He came on an hour late at least after drinking rather a lot of whiskey, but don't think it made much difference to the concert in the end!”

Discover more memories of epic gigs on campus.

Sporting memories

For many of you, sport is a central feature of university life – from signing up to dozens of clubs at Freshers’ Fair, to brutal mid-week training sessions in preparation for Varsity against the University of Brighton.

Of course, you never know what your teammates or opponents might go on to achieve. Having said that, Margaret Hill née Florey (SOC 1962) might have had some idea when she came up against future Wimbledon winner Virginia Wade during tennis travels in the early 60s. She says “I only hit the ball when I was serving!"

Read about more Sussex sporting moments.

Love in the first degree

For many of you, the relationships you forge at University will stay with you for the rest of your lives. Sussex has even seen several weddings over the years, including Alix Courtney (History 1990) and Ian Macfarlane (Physics 1987) who married in 1994 on a boiling hot day in August and celebrated with family and friends in East Slope Bar.

"It was a lot of fun. We had about 200 of our Uni friends celebrate with us along with family from far and wide who were a bit bewildered to find themselves in a student bar with a hogroast as the wedding dinner. It was strange seeing everyone dressed up so smart in East Slope."

Read about more Sussex romances.

Our fantastic alumni network helps keep memories of Sussex alive by keeping you in touch with the University, but you don’t have to wait until you graduate to benefit from the experiences of those that have gone before you. Find a mentor or expand your network by connecting with alumni on Sussex Connect.

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