Preston College Class of ‘77 Reunite After 48 Years

Nearly half a century after walking out of the classrooms of Preston College (previously W.R. Tuson College) for the last time, a group of former students have reunited to reminisce, reconnect, and raise a toast to the people and the place that shaped their early adult lives.

Eight of the original 19 students who studied OND Business Studies under the guidance of Miss Eileen Rigg gathered to celebrate 48 years since their graduation in 1977. Now mostly retired and officially pensioners, the former classmates came together from across the UK and as far afield as Massachusetts, USA; demonstrating the strength and longevity of the bonds formed all those years ago.

The cohort began their studies in Miller House, 5 Winckley Square, Preston, before becoming the very first students to occupy the newly built St. Vincent Road campus in late autumn 1975, marking a significant moment in the College’s history.

Today, the institution is known as Preston College, which fittingly celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.

Among the attendees were a couple who first met in 1975 and have been happily married for 44 years, adding a personal love story to the evening’s celebration. With careers that spanned Project Management, Marketing, HR, Finance, Cyber Security, Administration, and Company Management, many of the group went on to hold senior roles across a wide range of industries.

Marcel Driver, former student and only recently, a retired Governor at the College says: “Throughout the evening, the atmosphere was filled with laughter, warm memories, and heartfelt tributes. Old photographs, course materials, and memorabilia were shared as the group fondly recalled their college days and the influential educators who guided them, most notably Miss Rigg, who was nearing her own retirement at the time of their studies. She and her colleagues were toasted repeatedly for their dedication and impact.”

He adds: “This reunion has served not only as a celebration of our friendship and shared history, but also as a tribute to the lasting legacy of what we know as W.R. Tuson College, and how fitting this was during this milestone year for the institution.”

Simon Nixon, Principal and Chief Executive says: “It has been really wonderful to read a story of such enduring friendship nearly half a century after these students came together. It’s a powerful reminder of the transformative power of education; something Preston College has championed for 50 years and continues to uphold today.”

In a fitting close to the evening, the group has pledged to try and locate the remaining members of their original class, with hopes of organising a fuller reunion in the years to come. We look forward to hearing of such reunion in the future.