Yes, if there is a particularly good project, I might keep it for such a purpose. But that is really the exception. Maybe 1 out of 200.
Since you stayed in touch with your prof, you were probably an exceptional student and made an impression on him. Of a typical class, only a handful of students will do that. Most are very forgetable.
I'd be hardpressed even to remember the faces of medicore students even from as early as 2 years ago.
I know I’m getting off the subject matter..this particular instructor made an impression on me... He was great, and even influenced my own future parenting. In one lecture he said to the students (some of which were parents) “why do highschoolers need cars? They don’t!”.. He believes a lot of kids are in trouble today because of being spoiled, lack of discipline, and minimal supervision— he didn’t hesitate to let everyone in the class know it. Rare Gem he was..(Or is) He was in criminal justice, and had been a probation and parole dept supervisor. One thing he said that hit home to all of us was (paraphrasing) “I’ve dealt with your kids, I’ve seen the end project”.. Stop spoiling kids and teach discipline. Rare to hear that from a professor! ;-)