Staff + Student LoginBryant Hall celebrates 40-year milestone
27 October 2011
Then and Now: From left, former University registrar Norman Kingsbury, Bryant Hall Residential Manager Connie Ake, Bryant Hall Trust founding member Doug Arcus with his wife Ruth, and fellow founding member Ashley Taylor with his wife Jocelyn, on the night.
There was plenty of mirth about photos of students and staff sporting beehive hairdos, flared pants, platform shoes and bike handle moustaches at Bryant Hall recently.
Nearly 200 guests attended a dinner to celebrate the Bryant Hall’s 40th anniversary in October. Among attendees were current staff and residents, several past residential staff members, and some of Hall’s earliest supporters, including Bryant Hall Trust founding members Dr Norman Kingsbury, Doug Arcus, and Ashley Taylor.
Early Days
Former Registrar Dr Kingsbury recalled the early days when he and then Vice-Chancellor Sir Don Llewellyn discussed the running of student halls. Emphasis on the personal accountability of students and mutual respect between students and staff, rather than close monitoring of students and tight control, were paramount.
While the ‘70s photos, highlighted how much styles have changed since the beginning, Connie Ake, Bryant Hall Residential Manager, says the evening highlighted more how things remained exactly the same throughout time.
“The depth of connection through great times and the lifelong friendships were visible through the guests who shared fond memories with each other, and funnily enough, all their partners had also been Bryant Hall residents,” she says.
Student Memories
Ms Ake says the photos of mischief and half naked students turned up from all eras, as did the stories of fun and frolicking at stirs, dine and dances, and later, theme parties and balls.
Facilities at the Hall, which opened in February 1971, have changed with the residents.
“Since 2000 all the bedrooms have had internet ports installed and we’ve gone from 35 phone lines to just 18. Floor phones are available but pretty obsolete; when they ring everyone looks around confused wondering what to do, and a little cross that the caller didn’t just ring that person directly on their mobile.”
She says the dinner was a chance to reflect on the role Bryant Hall plays in its residents’ lives.
“Remembering how the Hall has changed over the decade and how it has shaped its residents made me appreciate how much ‘living’ has had happened within these walls.”
Photo Album
Bryant Hall Celebrations
Nearly 200 guests attended a dinner to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Waikato University's Bryant Hall in October. Among attendees were current staff and residents, several past residential staff members, and some of hall’s earliest supporters, including Bryant Hall Trust founding members Dr Norman Kingsbury, Doug Arcus, and Ashley Taylor.
28th October 2011
