All the President's Men (and Women)

When it comes to those first few weeks at University, memories can be pretty hazy...

You may still remember your Fresher’s Week- that time when you met your lifelong friends and discovered the best places for a night out in Sunderland.

During those first weeks you were probably given your Students’ Union Handbook - which contained information about the Executive Committee (Exec) that would be representing your interests throughout the academic year, as well as a comprehensive guide of the bars and clubs in the area.

Over the years, the University of Sunderland Students’ Union has had several presidents representing the students’ interests.

Each year, a new team of students are elected by students to form the Exec and lead the Students’ Union. The Exec is made up of five full-time paid Sabbatical Officers who carry out their duties alongside their studies.

The Alumni Association has caught up with some of these presidents to find out what they have been up to since leaving the University, and what their memories are of their time in post.  

From Jimmy Kelly (SU President 1996/97), who fought to keep the price of beer down, to Tobias Barker (SU President 2011/12) who got the Students’ Union back in to the National Union of Students.