For 175 proud years, more than 460,000 graduates have become part of the University of Sydney alumni community. From being the first in their families to attend university to witnessing historic moments on campus, their stories are as diverse as they are inspiring.
In 2025, we've celebrated 175 years of leadership for good by collecting alumni reflections. Through photos, favourite memories and answers to our questions, our alumni community have helped paint a vivid picture of life at Sydney.
The start of lifelong relationships
It's no surprise that a large portion of respondents list meeting new people as a highlight, with many sharing how they met best friends and even their spouse on campus.
In fact, 27 percent of people who responded to the survey told us their highlight was meeting new people:
Three generations of the Milross family have graduated from the University of Sydney since Les and Annette had their first date at Orientation Day in 1958.
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LinkWhere their studies have taken them
We also asked: who stayed in their field of study? Choosing a career path in your first years of university can feel daunting, but 57 percent of respondents found their passion and stuck with it, telling us they still work in the field they studied. An additional 27 percent worked in their field of study until they retired.
But not everyone found the right career path straight away. Eight percent of respondents ended up changing gears entirely, without ever having worked in their field of study.
Luke Simon (BA '90) recalled the turning points that helped to shape his career:
"I had been in Australia for just seven years when I was accepted into university. That first year, I spent my days scurrying from one end of the campus to the other: self-conscious about my migrant status, yet determined to succeed. After a lonely first year, I found the courage to join the Sydney University Dramatic Society and to begin writing. Those two decisions changed the course of my life.
"My first five pieces of fiction were published in the Union Recorder, and I performed in both lunchtime theatre and SUDS night productions at the Seymour Centre. I went on to train in voice and acting technique with some of the best teachers in the country.
"Four decades later, I am proud to have performed my own plays in Sydney and Melbourne, and to have written for the screen for the ABC, SBS, and AFTRS.
"In 2025, my sixth book of fiction, The Art in My Palm, was published worldwide, adding to two earlier works of non-fiction."
So, would our alumni choose the same course of study if they had their time again? Over half of respondents confirmed that they wouldn't change a thing, while 13 percent would choose something else entirely.
Publishing his fiction in the Union Recorder led Luke Simon (BA (hons) '89) to a career in creativity.
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LinkStudent rituals and pivotal moments
Our alumni memories highlighted that University is about more than the degree you take away (though a love of knowledge still rang clear: 37 percent of survey respondents told us their highlight of their time at University was learning new things!).
We heard about their favourite spots, changing technologies, and the characters which featured during their time as students:
Famous faces and chance encounters
Among the stories of student life and how they spent their time on campus were several recollections of notable alumni and celebrity encounters.
From up-and-coming bands to poets and changemakers, the campus played host to a who's who of local luminaries:
Across generations, every student who stepped onto campus has added something unique to our community. Celebrating 175 years of leadership for good would not be possible without our Sydney community. Thank you to those who have shared their memories with us.
Header image: Andrew Jakubowicz (BA (Hons) '70) with fellow students, circa 1970
All images shared in this article have been provided by members of the alumni community with permission to share.