Chemical Engineering 1971 Reunion

Reunion held back on the South Kensington for the Chemical Engineering class of 1968-71

On Saturday 27 September 2008 the Chemical Engineering class of 1971 held a reunion back at the South Kensington Campus to mark 40 years since the start of their BSc course at Imperial College in 1968.

The group met in the Department of Chemical Engineering which provided a perfect venue for them to reacquaint themselves with their fellow classmates, acknowledge long-standing friendships and enjoy being together once again at Imperial. For many returning for this reunion marked their first visit back to Imperial College since graduating. 

Of the 65 students who began the BSc course 40 years ago, 53 were located. Terry Knott, who, along with colleagues Martin Braithwaite, Martin Davies, Rob Holton, Roger Wiltshire and Tony Wragg, organised the event, said: "We could not have achieved this success rate without the aid of technology. Being able to search the internet and follow up with email was unheard of when we began at the College."

Thirty-six of the classmates and their partners from as afar afield New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, the USA and France returned to the College for this reunion including Stephen Richardson, recently appointed as Principal of the Faculty of Engineering at Imperial College. The group was also pleased to be joined by several of their lecturers.

Following an afternoon in the Department of Chemical Engineering and a champagne reception, the group adjourned to the Polish Club on Exhibition Road for a lengthy and enjoyable dinner. Discussions turned to careers and while many of the group still practise as chemical engineers, it was discovered the spread of careers across the class of 1971 includes distinguished academics, accountants, authors, doctors, photographers, stockbrokers and even a knight of the realm!