Sixty years on… Remembering The Queen’s visit and the Class of 1965
The first students to attend Canterbury Christ Church University reunited this month in celebration of the University’s Diamond Jubilee.
2yr ago
More than 600 students, staff, civic dignitaries and members of the local community came together last week in celebration of Canterbury Christ Church University’s Diamond Jubilee.
The day began with a Service of Thanksgiving in Canterbury Cathedral at which the University’s Chancellor, the Archbishop of Canterbury, presided; followed by a celebratory reception on the Canterbury Campus to mark 60 years in the pursuit of excellence in learning, teaching and research.
The Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Rama Thirunamachandran, said: “Our Diamond Jubilee Service of Celebration and Thanksgiving was a wonderful tribute to our historic journey of education, transformative learning and teaching and our diverse community.
“Across all the events throughout the day there was an amazing celebratory atmosphere. We were delighted to welcome our Chancellor, founding students, alumni, former staff, as well as our current students and staff, to celebrate this milestone event and make it such a successful day for Canterbury Christ Church University.”
During the thanksgiving service current students performed musical renditions and alumni shared stories and reflections of their time studying at the University. There was also music from the Diamond Jubilee Choir conducted by Dr Chris Price, as well as a specially commissioned piece from Canon Christopher Gower, and performances from the University and Canterbury Cathedral choirs.
The University's Chancellor, the Most Revd and Rt Hon Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury, gave the sermon. He spoke of the importance of universities ensuring they teach wisdom, imagination, thoughtfulness, compassion, and an ambition to change the world around us for the better, as well as traditional knowledge.
A university that brings those things so that people go out and say I’m going to change the world and leave it better, with the knowledge I have gained and will go on gaining, well that is the treasure. Universities enable the poorest to gain the advantage. This University has given to so many across the sixty years, across this land and across the world.
The University's Chancellor, the Most Revd and Rt Hon Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury.
At the celebratory reception, guests were entertained with live music from Ronnie Scott’s Rejects and a Jubilee Street Party themed lunch. There was also a showcase of the University’s heritage, which included a Jubilee exhibition, archaeology exhibition of artefacts found on campus, a choir performance, as well as tours of the former prison.
The event was one of many that the University is hosting throughout 2022 to reflect on its history, celebrate the achievements of its students, alumni and staff and look ahead to an exciting future.
Canterbury Christ Church has seen remarkable changes since its inception in 1962 and continues to embrace the core values of its foundation; care and compassion to its staff and students and a commitment to the wider community. In 1962 it responded to a national shortage of teachers and opened its doors as a primary teacher training college on one location, with nine members of staff and 70 students.
Today, over 20,000 students study a range of subjects across the arts, humanities, education, science and engineering, social sciences, medicine, health and social care, at three campuses in Canterbury, Medway and Tunbridge Wells, and through partnerships in the UK and around the world. They are supported by 1,800 dedicated members of staff.