Egerton University in Nakuru County was filled with nostalgia and celebration as it hosted a remarkable homecoming event for Jane Leete, a member of the pioneer Class of 1955 from the then Egerton Agricultural College, marking 71 years since she last walked the institution’s grounds.
The emotional visit was described as a moment of reflection, reconnection, re-ignition and recognition of the strength of alumni networks that continue to bind generations of scholars to their alma mater.
Leete was warmly received by the Vice Chancellor of Egerton University, Prof Isaac Kibwage, in a ceremony that brought together senior university leadership, alumni representatives, staff, and students.
Speaking during the reception, Prof Kibwage expressed deep appreciation for the alumna’s return, noting the historical significance of her class in shaping the institution’s legacy.
“This is great, and I’m grateful for you taking your time and remembering this as your alma mater. The commitment you had during your time here, milking the cows and engaging in general animal husbandry, is something remarkable. The current generation may not be in a position to do it the way you did,” said Prof Kibwage, who was accompanied by Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Administration, Finance and Planning, Prof George Muthaa.
The Egerton University Alumni Association, led by chair Dr Richard Rop, Secretary General Dr Wamukuru Kuria and Treasurer Anne Kenya, also took part in the historic occasion.
The team presented Leete with souvenir items in recognition of her enduring connection to the institution and her contribution as part of its earliest academic cohorts.
The visit was marked by emotional reflections as Leete expressed gratitude to the university management for maintaining contact with its alumni and preserving institutional memory across generations.
“I am truly grateful for this warm welcome and for being remembered by my alma mater after all these years,” she said, visibly moved by the reception.
To crown the occasion, a tree was planted by Leete within the university grounds, symbolising growth, continuity, and the enduring bond between past and present generations of Egerton scholars.
The ceremony turned the university into what many described as an “academic pilgrimage site,” celebrating not only institutional history but also the living legacy of alumni who helped shape its foundation.
READ ALSO: Egerton University launches Ksh40 million Regional Agriculture Centre to boost climate-smart farming
The event reaffirmed Egerton University’s commitment to strengthening alumni relations while honouring the pioneers who laid the groundwork for its evolution into a leading institution of higher learning.
By Philip Koech
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