A celebration of Keele ’ s ‘ pioneer ’ graduates | 23
Some travelled more than 3,000 miles to be at the event , with others making shorter journeys from Newcastle-under-Lyme , Stoke-on-Trent and Crewe .
The group , affectionately referred to by Keele as its ‘ pioneers ’, were the first generation of students to learn at the University , which was established as the University College of North Staffordshire in 1949 . The ‘ pioneers ’ graduated between 1954 and 1961 and are recognised for playing a pivotal role in establishing the University .
Among those at the event held in Keele Hall were John and Patricia Fletcher ( pictured left ), who met at Keele in 1957 , and have been married for 65 years .
John , a retired plant pathologist who is believed to be the University ’ s first biology PhD student , said : “ We got talking to one another in a biology laboratory on campus one Sunday and two years later , we were married . Our son , Robert , also studied at Keele , so the University has been part of our lives for a long time . There was a great spirit when we studied here and it ’ s fantastic to be back and see how much the campus has changed .”
WATCH A SHORT VIDEO CELEBRATING THE EVENT HERE