News

A WEEKEND OF CELEBRATIONS FOR 30TH ANNIVERSARY

Monday 31 July 2006

Alumni, students and staff enjoying the weekend

On 29 / 30 July the University had a weekend of events to celebrate the 30th anniversary since the first intake of students.

Alumni, students and staff members from the past and the present came from all over the world to meet old friends, catch up on news of the University, make new contacts and discuss plans for the future.

The atmosphere was nostalgic, as well as optimistic, with a sense of achievement that the UK's only independent university is not only still going strong, but is working on innovative new projects and courses to grow and flourish for the next 30 years.

Talks by current and former Vice-Chancellors, Dr Terence Kealey and Lord Luce respectively, were complemented by comments from Professors John Clarke and Peter Watson, who were here at the very start, 30 years ago. Following lunch and visits to their schools of study, a party for the alumni was held in the Tanlaw Mill and on Beloff Lawn, which lasted well into the night on Saturday.

On Sunday a picnic was arranged in the grounds of Stowe School, while the Chancellor's Cup cricket was played further down the South Front Lawn. Many tired, but happy, people departed late in the afternoon with the promise that an event such as this should not be left for another 30 years!

The winners of the 30th Anniversary Awards, a competition to choose the popular members of the teaching and support staff, were Eddie Shoesmith and Linda Waterman respectively. Alumni of the Year Award was won by Alex Jovy (English & European Law with French '95). We send them our warm congratulations and pictures of them receiving their awards, plus many others, will be available soon.

Report by Anne Matsuoka and the Web Team