Turning Pages of the Past
A Yearbook Sparks a Class Reunion for CBU’s 50th Anniversary
When Bob Martin came across CBU’s digitized yearbooks last year, he immediately looked for the 1977 College of Cape Breton edition. Bob was excited because he was the editor of this yearbook, yet he had never laid eyes on a hard copy. In fact, he thought it may not have ever been produced. “I had never seen it, so I wasn’t sure if it was ever printed,” shared Bob. “I was always curious, but thought it was long gone.”
When Bob discovered that his hard work had been printed, he was hurled back in time to his days at the College of Cape Breton as an Environmental Technology Engineering student. Flooded by nostalgia, Bob went on a mission to try and find as many of his classmates as he could. Names he hadn’t heard of in decades brought back memories in labs and in the college hallways. It reminded him of the fun he had and the foundation his time on campus laid for him. Bob decided it was time for a reunion and what better time than during CBU’s 50th anniversary year.
After connecting with the Alumni and Development department, Bob landed on a simple reunion, complete with campus tour, followed by a dinner. An opportunity to reminisce and catch up. The plans were laid and now it was time to track down his classmates.
Bob searched high and low and was able to connect with more than half of his classmates and even some instructors. Some had since passed, but most were happy to hear from him. One classmate, Carol (Nazzer) Walsh, was living in New York City and owned a leather goods store. He was told that she had been diagnosed with stage four cancer and didn’t have much time. Struck by this, Bob printed the entire 1977 yearbook and mailed it to Carol, along with a card and flowers. Carol passed in April of 2024, but not before she was able to see the yearbook filled with great memories.
After many phone calls and a lot of e-mails, Bob was able to track down most of his living classmates and the reunion was set.
On September 28th, six of the classmates came back to campus from all across the province. Many for the first time since graduating in the 1970s. Amidst the growing and evolving campus, they laughed and told stories, nearly 50 years old, and recalled the great memories they’d made in the halls of the then College of Cape Breton.
The six, joined by family, toured the campus and even entered some of the same labs they once studied in. “These were the same labs where we learned. They were the same labs we studied in and even forged friendships in. It was fascinating to be back where it all started.”
The reunion was capped off by a dinner at a local Sydney restaurant where the classmates shared a final few laughs, toasted those who had since passed and committed to keeping in touch.
This reunion was special for Bob, but extra special since he had a unique experience at CBU. Unlike the others in his class, Bob didn’t graduate in the 1970s. A missed payment resulted in him not graduating on time. More than 40 years later, when the newly appointed University President, David Dingwall had heard some of Bob’s personal story, he invited him to cross the stage and receive his degree. Bob has been both humbled and grateful for a university that values the people who come and go, even decades later.
The reunion was simple but impactful and it underscored the value of an education and a foundation built nearly five decades ago. The College of Cape Breton Environmental Technology Engineering class of 1976 - 78 will forever remember where it all started – right here at CBU.
Inspired by Bob’s story and eager to reconnect? As we celebrate CBU’s 50th anniversary, we invite any alumni who’d like to come for a campus tour or host a reunion to reach out. Whether it’s catching up with old friends, revisiting familiar spaces, or creating new memories, we’d love to help you relive the journey that began at CBU. Please contact Development Officer – Alumni Engagement, Mark Inglis at mark_inglis@cbu.ca for more details. Let’s celebrate your legacy together!
To find out more on supporting Cape Breton University, visit www.cbu.ca/alumni