The Department of Materials held its annual Alumni Dinner on Friday 6 May 2022.

The event was held at the Armourers' Hall and marked a welcome return for alumni, having been postponed in 2021 due to the pandemic.

Welcome return

The dinner was attended by 48 alumni of the Department of Materials, who graduated between the years 1955 and 2021. Alumni were welcomed by the Head of Department, Professor Peter Haynes in a short speech before having the chance to reconnect with former colleagues over dinner.

Emeritus Professor Rees Rawlings was also invited to give a short speech about his time studying and working in the department, before his retirement in 2007. Professor Rawlings began his career at Imperial in 1961, as an undergraduate student in the Department of Metallurgy (now Materials) and, in his own words, "never left". Professor Rawlings held many positions during his time at Imperial College London, progressing from Lecturer to Admissions Tutor, Director of Undergraduate Studies and eventually Pro-Rector, Educational Quality for the College.

The evening closed with the opportunity for different cohorts to discuss their student experience and journey since graduating from the College.

The Alumni Gala Dinner will return in 2023, with more details to be confirmed nearer the time. The dinner is by invitation only and photos from this year's event can be viewed on Flickr.