Loughborough University
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Loughborough University is a higher education institution based in England.
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The University Today
General 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 13,000 students, 88% of whom are undergraduates and 12% 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 Sir David Wallace CBE FRS DL.
The 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 200 acres (0.8 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 "Rig-Rut" fountain-courtyard (pictured right) 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.
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).
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 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. The ground floor of the Union is centred around an open piazza area which provides space for students to sit as well as providing access to numerous shops and bars. The upper floor is divided between administrative areas and more bars. The building also house branches for several high-street banks.
The union building is a popular destination for students seeking night time entertainment - providing numerous bars, dance floors, sitting areas and regular live entertainment. Each night of the week has its own title and style with Friday's FND (Friday Night Disco), Thursday's "High Voltage (Indie and Rock music night)", and Wednesday's Hey-Ewe (the official athletics union night) being particularly popular. The student's union is also a centre of activity during the daytime. Along with Loughborough University's numerous sports clubs the union hosts and organises many other activities and societies. The Rag office is responsible for organising, encouraging and supporting charity work amongst the union's members whilst the media society produces a weekly magazine called Label and hosts a student radio station called LCR (Loughborough Campus Radio). 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 outdoor music concert organised by the Union's music society which takes place all day on the May Day bank holiday weekend.
Students of the other Higher Education colleges in Loughborough are also considered members of this Union.
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 latter was to become the nucleus of the present university. Its rapid expansion from a small provincial college to a world famous seat of learning was due largely to the efforts of its dynamic principal Dr. Herbert Schofield (1882-1963).
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 Hazelrig 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.
Notable alumni
- Sebastian Coe, Baron Coe - Olympic athlete and (later) politician.
- Paula Radcliffe - Athlete.
- Steve Backley - Javelineer.
- David Moorcroft - Runner.
- Bob Wilson - Ex-Arsenal goal-keeper.
- Clive Woodward - England Rugby coach.
- Georgina Harland - Athlete.
External Links
- Loughborough University web Site (http://www.lboro.ac.uk)
- Loughborough Student's Union Website (http://www.lufbra.net)