St Mary's Alumni Society Reunion 2024

The St Mary's College Society hosted their annual reunion weekend from September 13th to 15th 2024. The event marked the launch of St Mary's College's 125th anniversary celebrations. 

Over the weekend, SMCS greeted around 50 alumni and guests from across the decades, some of which had not visited St Mary's since graduating. Guests stayed in college accommodation and were free to explore the grounds and reconnect with Durham City. Some alumni played a game of croquet on the lawn, something they once enjoyed doing as students. 

Dr Sandra Ward will now step down as President of the society and be replaced by Jessica Giles who will now lead SMAC for the years to come. Sandra will continue as Vice President of the society, so it's by no means a farewell. 

During the AGM, which took place on Saturday 14th, it was announced that St Mary's College Society (SMCS) will rebrand and become The St Mary's Alumni Society (SMAS). The news of the rebrand is welcomed and supported by Principal Adrian Simpson and St Mary's College colleagues. 

On Saturday evening, SMAS hosted a grand reunion dinner which was well attended by alumni and guests, including college Principal Adrian Simpson, current Vice-Principal Kate Morrey, College Alumni officer Kellie Horrocks and former colleagues including Phil Gilmartin (Principal from 2008-2001) and Vice Principals Gillian Boughton and Catherine Paine. 

During the dinner, SMAS and college activist, Anne Elliot, presented the college with an oak wallboard, which has been 5 years in the making! The wallboard documents key dates in history leading up to the 125th anniversary. The wallboard will be displayed at the college entrance for all to see.

SMAS also presented Dr Sandra Ward with a print of the College by local artist Stephen Ward (no relation), as a thank you for her commitment to SMAS and her ongoing support and friendship to many. 

The evening consisted of a drinks reception, a 4-course meal and entertainment provided by the Kirsty Forster Project. A big thanks to our head chef Richard Cooke and the college catering team for all their efforts and ensuring everyone had a good evening. 

The reunion marks the start of the 125th anniversary celebrations. There will be more events advertised in due course, allowing alumni, colleagues and friends to join St Mary's College and celebrate this milestone. We hope many more alumni reconnect with St Mary's over the academic year 2024/25.

For more information please emails stmarys.alumni@durham.ac.uk