Forever Keele eZine Summer 2019 | Page 8

8 Celebrating all things Keele! On Saturday 11 May 2019, we celebrated our second alumni Keele Day, including our annual Philanthropy reception for donors and volunteers. It was a splendid occasion to celebrate all things Keele and reunite Keele graduates across the globe. From Brussels to Cameroon, we are grateful to our alumni around the world who hosted events for their fellow Keelites. Check out the hashtags #KeeleDay #Keele70 #KeeleisGlobal on social media to replay the celebrations. At Keele, we welcomed over 100 alumni and friends to celebrate Keele Day and philanthropy at Keele - a proud tradition that means that Keele University has been able to grow both in terms of research excellence and impact, whilst delivering a high quality education and Keele experience for all who have the talent and potential to succeed regardless of their background and circumstances. We enjoyed an inspiring and informative address from our Director of Research, Innovation, Engagement and Strategy Delivery, Dr Mark Bacon, who shared with us current Keele achievements in academia, our global impact and developments on campus. We also heard a wonderful and heartfelt address by Emeritus Professor Joe Andrew (pictured below) who, along with his wife Barbara, has generously funded and inspired fellow supporters to join them to found the Felix Andrew Student Opportunity Fund to support Keele Sanctuary Scholarships supporting Asylum Seekers and Refugees. Joe and Barbara set up the fund, which has raised over £29,000 to date, in memory of their son Felix, and to celebrate Joe’s legacy as he retired from Keele in 2018. Hannah Azizollah shared her experience of volunteering at Keele; to support our students through our employer advisory group. Hannah also shared evidence from a survey that “people who volunteer, live longer!” Do let us know if you would like to find out about the many reciprocally beneficial ways you can support Keele! At Keele, guests enjoyed a range of tours including the beautiful grounds and an educational visit of the Forensic Department’s Crime Scene House! Keele Day is also a time for staff and students to celebrate the contribution that our