Madeleine Johnson (MBA, 1993-95) shares her experiences of volunteering on our congregation stand over the years.

Tell us a bit about yourself

I did my MBA at Durham University.  I was very fortunate to get a full scholarship from the NHS to study part time in the early 1990s.

I retired from the NHS in March 2022 and saw a request for alumni to help out at the Summer Congregation.  The ceremonies were busier that year than they had ever been before due to the disruption during the pandemic.  I really enjoyed that first year and have volunteered for each Summer and Winter Congregation ever since.

What motivated you to volunteer at our congregation stand?

I thought it would be a lovely event to get involved in, and it is!  It's very different now compared to my own graduation in 1995.  There were just 50 of us graduating on a cold Winter morning in the Great Hall of the Castle.  We all knew each other having studied together for 2 years and went back to the Business School on Mill Lane for lunch after the ceremony.  Now, there are several ceremonies each day and huge numbers of graduands.  Everything is on a bigger scale but it is still a joyful occasion for those graduating and their families, and it's a real privilege to be able to share that with them.

What does a typical shift look like?

Shifts are 4 hours long.  You are always with one of the staff from the Alumni Office who can deal with any difficult questions that come up!  The shifts also overlap so you meet at least two or three other volunteers/staff during the shift.  We have a themed wall where the graduands can take photos and we give out the highly prized "I bagged a Durham degree" tote bags with some other freebies (pens, bookmarks etc).  The aim is to encourage them to keep in contact with the University once they have graduated, and to contribute for the rest of their lives as part of the alumni community.

What would you say to other alumni who are thinking about volunteering?

Just give it a go!  You only need to do a minimum of one 4 hour shift.  It's great for anyone who enjoys chatting to people, ogling some of the wonderful outfits that people wear and generally join in with the joy of the occasion.  What's not to like?