Loughborough University
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Loughborough University is a higher education institution based in Loughborough, Leicestershire, England.
Profile
The University has 24 academic departments and over 30 research institutes, divided between three faculties: Science, Engineering and Social Science and Humanities. It has approximately 14,000 students, 73% of whom are undergraduates and 27% are pursuing postgraduate courses and/or research. Its current Chancellor is Sir John Jennings, CBE, FRSE (the previous chancellor, Sir Denis Rooke, OM, CBE, retired from the position in summer 2003, having served for fourteen years), and its Vice-Chancellor is Professor Shirley Pearce. The previous Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir David Wallace CBE FRS DL, was appointed to the Mastership of Churchill College, Cambridge, in succession to Sir John Boyd KCMG. David Wallace was Vice Chancellor of Loughborough University between 1994 until December 2005.The University has won an unbeaten five Queen's Anniversary Prizes for Higher and Further Education for work with the aeronautical and automotive industries (1994); support for developing countries (1998); for a pioneering role in developing applications of modern optics and laser technologies (2000); for its world leading role in sports research, education and development (2002); and for its world leading role in social policy in recognition of its outstanding and widely respected work in evaluating and helping develop social policy-related programmes, such as those for cared for children, social security policy, crime prevention, education initiatives and young carers (2006). In the latest league tables, Loughborough was ranked 6th overall in the Times University Guide 2007, just behind Oxbridge and three London colleges (Imperial, LSE and UCL); making it the top provincial university in the United Kingdom.
Campus
University's main campus is in the Leicestershire town of Loughborough and until 2003 it was developing a secondary campus at Peterborough. The Loughborough campus (once the estate of Burleigh Manor) covers an area of 433 acres (1.75 km²), and includes academic departments, halls of residence, gardens and playing fields. Of particular interest are the beautiful walled garden, the "garden of remembrance", the Hazlerigg-Rutland Hall ("Rigg-Rut") fountain-courtyard (pictured below) and the Bastard Gates. In the central quadrangle of the campus stands the famous cedar, which has often appeared as a symbol for the University. Unfortunately a heavy snowfall in December 1990 led to the collapse of the upper canopy which gave the tree its distinctive shape. The recent aquisition by the university of Holywell Park from Advantica Technologies and a 23-acre parcel of land between New Ashby Road and Holywell Park from 3M Heath Care Limited has increased the size of the campus to 433 acres.
Traditions
The official colour of the University is African Violet. The coat of arms incorporates several symbols relevant to the history of the Loughborough area, including Offa's cross (a symbol of the ancient kingdom of Mercia, within whose borders the town now stands) and the peacock from the arms of the Dukes of Rutland. The motto of the University is Veritate Scientia Labore (with truth, wisdom and labour, or alternatively with truth, knowledge and industry, depending on the translation).
The University has a strong sporting tradition, and is a centre of excellence in the field of sports science. It has graduated a number of world-class athletes including Paula Radcliffe and Lord Sebastian Coe. In keeping with this tradition, Loughborough University students have won the British Universities Sports Association championship every year for over two decades. Sports students are entitled to wear a different style of scarf from other undergraduates. The university is the home of the England and Wales Cricket Board's National Academy, opened in November 2003.
The phonetic spelling "Lufbra" is sometimes used amongst students, graduates, and in Students' Union publications, and the name is also often abbreviated to lboro.
The Students' Union
The Union is unusual (if not unique) in English universities, in that its premises are owned by the students themselves. The union building sits in the North-Eastern corner of the campus, and consists of two floors.
The ground floor consists of three bars, namely Cognito, a completely self-contained nightclub which is available for private hire, JC's, a bar dedicated to the sporting achievements of Loughborough, and Bar and Room 1 a fully equipped auditorium, which was renovated in the summer of 2005 by the Ministry of Sound. There is also a range of shops, and The Piazza, a central meeting place with places to sit and frequent markets aimed at the students.
The first floor incorporates the Administrative parts of the Student's Union, including the Executive Office, and The Clubs and Societies Office. There is also a bar named Fusion, and Bocca Cafe, which operates as a bar on certain nights.
Along with Loughborough Students Union's (LSU) numerous sports clubs the union hosts and organises many other activities and societies. Loughborough Students RAG (Raise and Give) is responsible for organising, encouraging and supporting charity work amongst the union's members, and is among the largest such societies in the UK, generates increasing amounts of money for charity with impressive increases year on year - the year 2006 raising over £620,000 net. The media department is based in a purpose-built media centre, opened in 1999, and is subdivided into 'production outlets' - a student radio station called [LCR 1350am] (Loughborough Campus Radio); LSUTV - a student TV station and Aura recording studios. Working alongside these (although not part of the media department) is Label Magazine, the magazine of Loughborough Students Union. Evolving from a previous newspaper format (inventively titled "The Newspaper"), Label Magazine was launched in 1997, and is notable for both its editorial independence from the union itself as well as its weekly production cycle.
There are also clubs for a wide range of other interests. At the beginning of each academic year the Fresher's Bazaar is held to allow students, especially new arrivals, to talk to existing members of these societies and to provide an early opportunity to sign up.
One highlight of the academic calendar is Free Fest, an annual (as the name suggests) free-to-attend outdoor music festival organised by the Union's music society (Musoc), and put on by the Ents Department and Crew which takes place all day on the May Day bank holiday. Free Fest has now been extended to include a Fringe Festival which takes place on the May Day weekend, and is a 2 day performance event designed to showcase the best of Loughborough Talent, and varies from Open Mic to Salsa with Carlos, Drum Therapy to Fever live on stage. Free Fest this year (2006) was bigger and better than ever with around 10 bands performing, from the awesome Carlton Cole to guitarist Dave Rogers. Post Fest is a regular feature, held in Room 1 immediately after the last band leaves stage, and features a wide variety of music from one of LSU's resident DJ's.
Students of the other Higher Education colleges (RNIB college for the blind and Loughborough College) in Loughborough are also members of the Union.
Degree Programmes
Loughborough offers a wide variety of degree programmes: [Undergraduate Prospectus] [Postgraduate Prospectus]
History
Origins
The University traces its history back to 1909, with the founding of the Loughborough Technical Institute. In the early years, efforts were made to mimic the environment of an Oxbridge college (e.g. requiring students to wear gowns to lectures) whilst maintaining a strong practical counterbalance to academic learning. During World War I, the Institute served as an "Instructional Factory", training workers for the munitions industry.
The Loughborough Colleges
Following the war, the Institute fragmented into four separate colleges:
- Loughborough Training College (Teacher Training)
- Loughborough College of Art (Art and Design)
- Loughborough College of Further Education (Technical and Vocational)
- Loughborough College of Technology (Technology and Science)
The influence of Herbert Schofield
Schofield became principal in 1915 and continued to lead the College of Technology until 1950. Over his years as principal, the college changed almost beyond recognition. He purchased the estate of Burleigh Manor on the western outskirts of the town, which became the nucleus of the present 200 acre (0.8 km²) campus. He also oversaw the building of the beautiful Hazlerigg and Rutland halls of residence. The strong sporting tradition all developed under Schofield's influence.
From College to University
In 1963, the Robbins Report on higher education recommended that all Colleges of Advanced Technology should be given the status of universities. Consequently, in 1966 Loughborough College of Technology was granted the Royal Charter and became Loughborough University of Technology. It gradually remodelled itself in the image of the New Universities of the period, which had also been created under Robbins.
Later history
In 1977, Loughborough Training College (now renamed Loughborough College of Education) was absorbed into the University. The Arts College was also amalgamated with the University in 1998. These additions have diluted the technological flavour of the institution, causing it to resemble more a traditional university with its mix of humanities, arts and sciences. Consequently in 1996, the University dropped the "of Technology" from its title, becoming "Loughborough University", a step much applauded by its non-technological members.
University Leadership
Vice Chancellors
- H.L. Haslegrave (1966-1967)
- Professor E.J. Richards (1967-1975)
- Sir Clifford Butler (1975-1985)
- Professor J.G. Phillips (1986-1987)
- Professor Sir David Davies (1988-1993)
- Professor Sir David Wallace (1994-2005)
- Professor Shirley Pearce (2006-)
Notable alumni
- Rosalind Ayres - Actress
- Steve Backley - Javelineer
- Daniel Bennett - Singaporean footballer
- Sebastian Coe, Baron Coe - Olympic athlete, politician and later Chairman of the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games
- Robin Daniels - Engineer & Entrepreneur
- Tobias Ellwood - Conservative MP
- Lorna Fitzsimons - former NUS President and Labour Party MP
- James Gibson - Swimmer
- Tanni Grey-Thompson - Athlete
- David Moorcroft - Runner
- Neil Oatley - Formula One Engineer and Designer
- Monty Panesar - England Test Cricketer
- Paula Radcliffe MBE - Athlete
- Bridget Riley - Artist
- Jonathon Roberts - Actor, starred in Shaun of the Dead
- Lawrie Sanchez - Football manager
- Malcolm Sayer - Jaguar Cars Designer and Engineer
- Bob Wilson - Ex-Arsenal goal-keeper.
- Clive Woodward - England Rugby coach.
External links
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