Thank you to everyone who answered our call for stories about their time at Greenwich and being part of the Greenwich Students' Union! Below are some stories from alumni. Thanks to the University of Greenwich Alumni team for their help!

Once a year the GSU organize International Week in the main hall. Member Student Societies organize a stall in which they exhibit items reflecting the heritage of their country, such as: folklore national costumes, products, pictures, and handcrafts. Students, staff, or visitors come around and may ask, whoever in attendance at the stall, relevant questions. The week ends with an evening plays presented by students on the stage. 

1961/62  ULU received an invitation for fifty students from President J.F. Kennedy, to visit the US as guests. ULU proportionally distributed the invitation to constituents colleges of The University of London, which included Woolwich Poly. They were received by the President and Jackie Kennedy at the White House.

Muhyee Din Abdullatif MAHMOUD Alabdeli, B.Sc.Engineering, graduated 1964

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It was the year 2011 and a bunch of us gathered to watch the Cricket World Cup at the Students Union. It felt like a stadium. Everyone supported their countries. The food was amazing & so was the staff. It is here that we learnt the true meaning of diversity & the power of it. Of course, it helped that India won the World Cup in 2011, but the matches we saw there are imprinted in our hearts forever.

The GSU helped us have both a voice and an identity. It also taught us the value of diversity.

Jaykishan Gadhvi, MBA, graduated 2014

I visited the students' union bar sometimes to drink and watch people play snooker.

Almosphere was always electric and vibrant with students from all over the world. This is one of the most  memorable period of my life.

Attending GSU events just demonstrated the power of community to me and that we can achieve and enjoy more when we come together for a common purpose.

Kayode Olusegun, MSc IT with E-business, graduated 2012

Stock image from GSU

I met my husband, James Rocks (BSc Applied Biology) in the infamous SU Cellar Bar at Woolwich Thames Polytechnic in 1979. This summer we celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary and celebrated with Dawn Walsh (nee Smith) (BSc Business Studies), Jennifer Pocock and Kelvin Ogunjimi (both BSc Applied Biology) and Alan Brown (BEng). Good times!

[Through the union] I met not only my husband but lifelong friends!

Kim Rocks (nee Ward), HND Business Studies, graduated 1982

Great memories of Gaming Society and the Drama Society in Medway. I was team captain and president of the Badminton team from 2019/2020 to 2020/2021. I met my current partner during my studies in Medway.

I will always remember the Tankus the Henge gig at The Deep End, as well as the really friendly GKSU staff. One other experience I remember is climbing up the O2 arena. I served as a Student Rep as well as Faculty Officer for FES.

[Through GSU] I learnt to not give up and to keep trying the sports that I enjoyed. The GSU helped me through my studies and was a place I could go when I was having difficulties. It was important for me to engage as it was how we held the university accountable.

Luke Arscott, BSc Physical Geography, graduated 2021

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The SU loaned the team money to buy kit so we could eventually play but timing was so that we could take advantage of an opportunity that was presented to us to have students act in an advertisement for (if memory serves me well) athletic supports or ""jock straps"". The TV advert was shot at Crystal Palace Sports Center over the Easter break for 'Pro Sport'. We were paid for participating in the advertisement and that money was used to pay off our loan. And so the team was kitted. Eventually the team amalgamated with other local teams and stopped being just for students but the SU helped found the team.

[Being part of the union was] time spent playing helped focus my activities, and I continued to play football when I later went to study a postgraduate research degree in Bradford. I played in a number of All-Star games, including once against Australia. I remember very fondly the first team and still am in touch with some of my team mates thanks to a Facebook Group. I still have my team shirt somewhere and the 1987 Veteran Player of the Year award sits somewhere in my office.

Adrian Merrington, BSc Applied Chemistry, graduated 1988

I had so many friends in GSU. After meeting them, I learned about multi cultural and their experiences. I enjoyed thoroughly.

GSU helped me in many ways. It made me a better version of myself. It thought me life lessons like humanity, time management, sharing, caring other people's needs and many more. I applied my learnings not only in my career but also in my personal life. 

Being part of GSU is very important to me cause it helped me to understand myself, my needs, my commitments towards people & society. It helped to explore the world more effectively.

Khaleda Akter, Bsc Business & Financial Economics, graduated 2012

Was Treasurer of Chemical Society 1971/2 , my now wife Jackie Harrison was Secretary. My best man Steve Burgess was Chairman. Bob Naylor (now Sir Robert) was in our class - he is now something high up at Greenwich. Random names also in class David Chan and David Street.

I played rugby for Thames Poly on Wednesdays and Saturdays, full back and fly half. Was Chairman 1971/2. We got to the University of London (Guttridge) Cup final losing to Imperial College 15-0 at Motspur park and quarter final of the Polytechnic cup.

[Being part of the union gave me] close liaison with the President and committee members, helped understand how organisations work together. Ended up Senior Corporate Manager for NatWest in City of London and a Bursar at several schools across the board. Now retired to Yorkshire!

Richard Fletcher, BSc Applied Chemistry, graduated 1972

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