Nostalgic Return to Campus

Four ladies who arrived as freshers in September 1974 recently returned for a nostalgic visit. They were hosted by Jill Magennis (Senior Lecturer in Early Years Education) and Katie Miller (Marketing and Communications Administrator) who brought them up to date with all the changes that have evolved over the last 50 years. During that time they notched up a combined total of 104 years teaching in primary schools. Emily Crossett in Garvagh, Edith Hyndman (Hill) in Ballycraigy and Anna Fleck (Cruikshank) in Crumlin, Hazelbank and Beechgrove Special School. Ruth McMorran (Aiken) was in Hollybank and Portavogie with a teaching exchange in Hamilton, Ontario in 1984. They were really impressed by the facilities in the new Orchard building. While the layout of the campus remains unchanged and the corridors and paths were very familiar they agreed that the hill is definitely steeper!’

Jill shares, “I was Anna’s student in Beechgrove Special School during my student days here on the BEd Primary degree. Anna and I have remained good friends over the years and this visit was a lovely reminder that the connection made as I embarked many years ago on my teaching career has stood the test of time! Anna, thank you to you, Emily, Edith and Ruth for coming back to visit Stran as alumni – it was great to have you with us on campus reminiscing over memories shared as well as seeing how the campus has evolved over half a century!”