Applied Modern Languages class of 1976 anniversary reunion

50 years ago, in September 1972, some thirty or so fresh-faced students assembled in Newcastle to begin their degree course in Applied Modern Languages.

These were heady times as the Polytechnic, as Northumbria University was then known, had only one year earlier launched a revolutionary new course in languages offering applied language combined with economics and politics to give students a more practical language training, hopefully more attractive to recruiting businesses. Almost hard to believe it now, but beer in the Poly Union Bars, then known as the Red Bar, was just 10p a pint.

One year after starting the course, which by then also offered an honours degree option, the second course intake formed an undergraduate society called Newla which the original students recruited the new intake of language students into. After graduation in 1976 Newla continued to be active, supported by the new cohorts of students.

Over the years the original four or five years’ worth of the degree course students have met regularly at reunions held mainly in Newcastle, but also London and abroad where many have since settled. This year 30 graduates from the 1972 cohort, together with their partners, met in Newcastle to celebrate the 50th anniversary of starting the course. Some had travelled from as far away as Bangkok, Vancouver and Boston. This also included couples who had married in 1982.

The weekend event kicked off down on the Quayside, naturally, where the group enjoyed an Italian meal at Marco Polo’s which was open back in 1972 and is still going strong. On Saturday Nikki Simmons from the Advancement Office showed the group around the campus, which was a most revealing tour for many of the group who had not been back to the site for many years. They then moved on to visit Tynemouth for a reunion evening at the Grand Hotel where the group were also joined by four of the lecturers who had taught them back in the day.

It is a glowing testament to the University that the group formed such a lasting social bond with one another and the teaching staff over the years with so many of the group being able to pursue a variety of careers where the benefits of an applied language background combined with economics were so important. Not only that, but many graduates from the course have also worked and settled abroad, mostly in the countries of the languages they studied.

To find out how you can plan your course reunion contact alumni@northumbria.ac.uk.