Alumni Event 2026
News
Building Communities at BSU: Alumni return to talk life, career and experiences at Newton Park
Tuesday, 24 March, 2026Bath Spa University, in collaboration with the Student’s Union, hosted an alumni networking event this weekend, bringing former students back to Newton Park to share memories, build connections and ultimately talk about experiences after University life.
Notable alumni returned to speak at the event, including Honorary Doctorate recipient and esteemed The Athletic journalist, Carl Anka. Former SU President, now life coach, Kjaer Dian was also in attendance to discuss his path since leaving BSU.
Discussing the importance of Alumni networking events, Kjaer said:
“Having a group of people come back to this University after having left and gone out into the working world. To come back and be like, I have done what you have done and now I have done this. I know where you are, can you understand where I have been and take some value from that.”
The day started with an Alumni football match where alum from the Men’s Football Society returned for an annual match against the current BSU men’s football team. This is a glowing representation of the strength societies have at BSU within their own communities.
As the Summer draws closer, BSU will host many more Alumni sports matches. The BSU Bulldogs and Bath Spa Women’s football team have already confirmed matches for the summer months between players past and present.
Events like the ones hosted on Saturday are vital in shaping and strengthening the connection between alumni and the University, they allow alumni to build communities and support one another as well as supporting students currently studying at BSU.
The day progressed and the focus shifted onto the Alumni Networking event, Hosted by Current SU president Joe Wilson and former SU president Kjaer Dian. Additionally, to this, Attendees had the opportunity to listen to a talk from Carl Anka, A prolific podcaster and writer, who now works for The New York Times sports desk at The Athletic.
Speaking at the event, Carl said:
“I think events like this are important because they help provide pathways and remind everyone of the pathways possible and ways that we can help not just current students but also fellow alumni and people at the University.”
I now thankfully have got to a point where I have a little more knowledge between the ears and I understand how difficult it can be to be a university student particularly in this current climate.”
More events like this are planned as BSU continues to support its alumni community, including Thrive in Change: Personal Wellbeing for Sustainable Success.