Did you make it to this year’s Alumni Reunion Weekend? It was a special celebration to mark 60 years of the University and 50 years of the Students’ Union!

The archives created some eye-catching posters for the event that showcased the incredible archive material we hold from across the decades. It was a fantastic opportunity to highlight the stories and memories that make our institution so incredible.

We also welcomed Students’ Union colleagues into the archives, giving them the chance to explore and share their own celebratory content.

So, where did it all begin 60 years ago? While we’re celebrating our University ‘diamond jubilee’, our story actually stretches back even further, to 1909, with the founding of Loughborough Technical Institute (you can explore this more on our website.)

But 60 years ago, in 1966, we were granted University status, becoming Loughborough University of Technology — proudly recognised as the UK’s first technological university.

The 1970s brought exciting changes. In 1975, the Union of Loughborough Colleges joined forces with the Loughborough University of Technology Students’ Union, creating the Loughborough Students’ Union (LSU).

Just a couple of years later, in 1977, the University amalgamated with Loughborough College of Education, marking the return of Sports Sciences and Physical Education. Paving the way for the sporting excellence we see today. The department is also marking its 50th anniversary, so keep an eye out for more celebrations.

The 1980s saw the opening of the iconic Pilkington Library, along with a memorable royal visit from Queen Elizabeth II.

In 1996, a bold new chapter began when the University dropped “of Technology” from its name, becoming simply Loughborough University. This evolution continued in 1998 with the amalgamation with the College of Art and Design, further enriching the University’s creative offering.

The 2000s brought a period of transformative expansion, with major campus developments and land acquisitions helping to cement Loughborough’s reputation as a global leader in sport, supported by world-class facilities.

That reputation shone through in 2012, when the campus was chosen as the official preparation camp for Team GB ahead of the Olympics and welcoming the Olympic Torch Relay as it passed through. Then in 2015, the opening of Loughborough University London at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park marked another exciting step in the University’s history.

And this is just the beginning… who knows what the next 60 years will bring?