Gwen Grimm (nee Roy) of Riversdale was on the organising committee for the reunion.
About 60 women were enrolled in the three-year course, Mrs Grimm said.
The course covered many subjects including microbiology, food, fabrics, design, chemistry, physics and nutrition.
She had heard it described as “a good meal ticket because it opened the door to many different things”.
Some of the class became teachers and dietitians but others entered house design, marketing, research and management careers.
In those days staff did not call the students by their given names.
“I was Miss Roy.”
The students were also not allowed to wear trousers.
The group had stayed in touch and started meeting in 2006.
This was their fifth reunion and the women were all now in their late 70s.
The group was tight knit, probably because most of the class boarded at Studholme Hall, Mrs Grimm said.
They also worked together in pairs or small teams to accomplish tasks which also meant they knew each other well.
One of the degree block courses involved preparing and cooking meals at Studholme Hall.
During the reunion the group spent a day sightseeing which included a visit to the albatross colony and Toitū Museum to view the Eden Hore fashion collection.
This activity was enjoyed by the group because fabrics and design was one of the subjects they studied as part of their degree.
The second day’s activities were based at the university, where the group was welcomed by an alumni association member.
The building where they attended lectures is now being used as an office block but the group toured the building where health sciences are now taught.
“We saw this huge lecture room where they all had electron microscopes and what they were looking at was up on great big whiteboards.
“That was very interesting compared to the antiquated microscopes we used and all in their lab coats.”
A highlight was a lecture by Emeritus Professor Sir Jim Mann, who talked about the diabetes research he was involved in.
It was fascinating to learn how Type 2 diabetes could be reversed if people exercised after a meal, Mrs Grimm said.
The group had lunch at Studholme Hall
and said the food was much different than in their day, she said.
“There was a salad bar and there was a huge choice of food.
The day finished with a catered meal and cake cutting at St Margaret’s College.
