Cranbrook Connects in London

On April 15, Cranbrook Kingswood alumni gathered at Mortimer House for the second London CRAN event, bringing together graduates from across the UK and Europe for an evening of connection, conversation, and renewed school spirit. The gathering welcomed both returning attendees from the first London event and many new faces, continuing to build momentum for the alumni network abroad.

From the moment guests arrived, the setting became part of the story. Many commented on how the venue’s wood paneling, decor, and green tile around the fireplace reminded them of Cranbrook, creating an atmosphere that felt warm, familiar, and especially fitting for the occasion. It was a detail that made the evening feel not just elegant, but meaningfully connected to school.

That sense of connection carried through the room. Alumni in attendance spanned multiple decades, from Doriel Hulse ’67 through to younger graduates from the 2010s, reflecting the breadth of the London CRAN community, which includes more than 300 alumni across the UK and EU and spans eight decades. Some had also attended the first London event, while many were joining for the first time.

Several guests made an especially notable effort to attend. Klaudiusz Bechcicki '01, flew in from Poland just for the evening, and Martin Mittner ’02 travelled from Amsterdam to be there. Doriel Hulse ’67 returned early from a family trip in Europe to attend and shared a memorable story from her student days, recalling how she travelled independently to Cranbrook campus for Spanish lessons because the language was not then offered at Kingswood. These moments gave the gathering a distinctly international and cross-generational feel, while also underscoring how enduring Cranbrook connections remain.

As conversation unfolded, guests shared memories of school, caught up on life and work, and met fellow alumni they had never known while on campus. That mix of familiarity and discovery gave the event its energy. For many in the room, it was not simply a reunion with classmates, but a chance to experience Cranbrook as part of a much wider and still-growing global community.

During the evening’s remarks, guests were welcomed, encouraged to stay involved with the London CRAN network, and invited to consider attending Reunion in June. They also heard that the next London CRAN gathering is planned for early October at the studio of Dominic Harris ‘94 who was recently profiled in Tradition.  This gave the evening a strong sense of continuity and something tangible to look forward to. Attendees were encouraged to stay connected through the alumni community and to help spread the word across their own networks.

One theme emerged especially strongly over the course of the evening: gratitude. Again and again, attendees spoke about how much they appreciated the personal outreach  Susan Post and Mackenzie Friedman provided from the Cranbrook Schools Alumni Office.  Many shared that their thoughtful follow-up, persistence, and care in tracking people down and making sure they had the information they needed were a major reason they attended. Several guests expressed surprise that they were not there in person, as they had hoped to thank them directly. That response was a powerful reminder that alumni engagement is built not only through events themselves, but through the personal relationships and care that make those gatherings possible.

By the close of the evening, it was clear that the London CRAN network is becoming more than a series of events. It is becoming a real community, one shaped by shared history, lasting affection for Cranbrook, and a genuine desire to stay connected across years and across borders. With strong attendance, alumni travelling in from around Europe, and real enthusiasm for what comes next, the second London CRAN event showed just how far Cranbrook’s spirit can reach.

Submitted by your London CRAN Representatives,
Jackie Bethea Cuyvers '96
Emily Sharpe '00

View more photos of the event here.
To receive information and invitations to Cranbrook events in your region, email the alumni office at alumni@cranbrook.edu with your preferred contact information. 

Go to  the Alumni Welcome Page