On the weekend of 26th to 28th September, we were delighted to welcome back over 120 alumni for our ‘Alumni Weekender’. This was the first full weekend of events that we’ve offered to our alumni since Festival 39 in 2018, but echoes some of the more traditional reunion type activity that we’ve established over the years. The attendance, participation and feedback really underlined the ongoing interest that alumni take in the University and the city, as well as an ongoing appetite for opportunities to catch-up with classmates and meet other generations of graduates.

We pulled out all the stops to welcome alumni back to Hull and provide a series of events with both nostalgic and contemporary elements that enabled our alumni to look forwards as well as backwards in how they experience Hull and its University. Events on the Friday evening included a walking and pub tour with local tour Guide, Paul Schofield who expertly guided attendees through the warren of streets and public houses that make up Hull’s Old Town. In parallel with this event, another group enjoyed an evening at Hull’s pioneering theatre Hull Truck watching a reworking of Pride and Prejudice.

Friday Gallery

Saturday morning and early afternoon had a campus focus, starting with guided tours of campus taking in the old and the new, from contemporary ambisonic music studios below Middleton, to the Clinical Skills Simulation Suite in Allam Medical Building and the familiar Observatory deck of the library which afforded panoramic views of the University, the city and the wider region. This led into a traditional Sports Day, which was headed by Hull alumnus and 2024 Alumni Laureate, James Deighton, Performance Analyst at Hull KR. Celebrating the 2025 success of Hull KR, the events took place in the shadow of the Challenge Cup, which was available for alumni to take photos with. A concluding tug of war between alumni and staff/ students of the University was edged by alumni in a tight contest, thereby underlining the primacy of real-world experience in all things.

Satuday Day Time Gallery

On Saturday evening, weekenders enjoyed the centrepiece Gala Dinner, which included a three-course meal, a disco and an address from the Chancellor, Alan Johnson. There was also a surprise announcement of the results of various ‘secret missions’ that alumni had been tasked with unbeknown to other guests. This instantly explained a number of behaviours that were observable over the weekend!

Saturday Evening Photographs

The weekend concluded on Sunday with discounted visits and tours to two of Hull’s most visited attractions – The Deep and MKM stadium. These are mainstays of Hull’s cultural and sporting life and provided a fitting end to a memorable weekend of activities.

The success of the weekend was made possible by the enthusiasm of our alumni, the dedication of our staff, and the collaboration of our partners across Hull. From the Challenge Cup at Sports Day to the final Sunday tours, every element came together to create a weekend that celebrated our past while looking confidently to the future. Thank you to everyone who made it such a memorable return to Hull. We’re already looking forward to the next chapter of alumni events and the opportunity to welcome you all ‘home’ again.

Sunday Gallery