As the University of Sheffield Student Union turns 120, students, alumni and staff members look back at the rich history of our institution and reminisce about their own experiences.

Sarah Broadhurst is the curator for the Western Bank exhibition ‘More Than a Degree: 120 Years of Life at the Students’ Union.’

She has been part of the University of Sheffield for five years, working as an archivist and records manager, in a team that looks after the university archive collection.

Opened a couple of weeks ago and running until June, the exhibition is divided in four parts to encapsulate the main components of the life of a University of Sheffield student.

The first part on display is called ‘daily life’ showing things students do on a day to day basis. It features a number of materials donated by alumni, such as an union blazer, with white and sky-blue stripes and the university stem, the 1940s equivalent to present-day university hoodie.

Ms Broadhurst spoke about the second section of the exhibition called ‘politics and protest’.

She said: “There’s a perception of students being very political.

“The city of Sheffield and the union has a really rich history of being involved in politics and protests.”

The displays showcase a number of banners by SU presidential candidates, such as the ‘join the daisy chain’ campaign banner from 2024, made by then SU president Daisy Watson-Rumbold.

It also includes more humorous banners such as Justin’s, stating ‘I heart skibidi rizz bombs’ in black bold letters over a white sheet.

Whether campaigns were run with well-thought out projects or based on gaining the approval of students through pop-culture, Ms Broadhurst said it’s proof that “students didn’t just lie down and let it happen they expressed themselves”.

The third portion of the exhibition is called ‘community’. It is a blend of old and new, showcasing a display solely dedicated to mountaineering, a sport Sheffield is still known for.

It also features a copy of the 1950s ‘Twikker’ university magazine, which used to tell Sheffield students about university fundraising parties known as ‘hops’.

Ms Broadhurst said: “Through protest or occupation or whatever it might, there is a kind of agency in Sheffield that we do have. There are always going to be bad things happening but we can get together as a community”.

The last section of the exhibition is all about entertainment, featuring t-shirts and an old interactive lighting desk from the technical services committee, who are responsible for sound systems and visual effects at all Foundry events.

Over the displays by the Western Bank windows looking onto the Arts Tower and Firth Court, there is a series of banners showing past gigs that had been held at the Student Union, including artists Wet Leg and Valve Sound System.

Visitors can have their own experiences and memories become part of the exhibition through comment boards near each section.

Ms Broadhurst said: “There are people talking about gigs from last year but also kind of 1993 and hopefully it’ll make people reminisce.

“You don’t have a university without students.”