University alumni welcomed to House of Lords
Release Date 07 October 2010
The Rt HonThe Lord Carrington, Chancellor Emeritus, welcomed over 300 graduates from the University of Reading stretching back over 50 years to a special celebration at the House of Lords on Friday 1 October. The event was sponsored by Law firm, Clarkslegal LLP, who are long time supporters of the University.
Alumni from all graduation years were welcomed and took the opportunity to catch up with old friends and find out more about the University and its current plans. A commemorative anniversary photograph was taken of alumni who graduated in 1960, 1970, 1980, 1990 and 2000.
A supper was also held for some of the University's most significant donors, including members of the Reading Pioneers and Reading Real Estate Foundation Pioneers, who heard Professor Christine Williams, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Research and Innovation) speak on the University's work with industry.
Vice-Chancellor Gordon Marshall said: "The University is tremendously proud of all its graduates and we were delighted to be able to host such an event in a stunning venue. It was also an occasion to thank the generosity of benefactors whose support expands the opportunities available to students and increases the breath and depth of our world class research. "
ENDS
For more information please contact Rona Cheeseman, press officer, on 0118 378 7388 or email r.cheeseman@reading.ac.uk
Notes to editors
The role of the Development and Alumni Relations Office is to enable former students to keep in touch with the University and with each other, and to provide opportunities for alumni and others to support the University. Over 150,000 people have studied at the University of Reading and our graduates come from 180 countries.
From its foundation, the University has relied on the generosity of benefactors to sustain and expand the opportunities available to students.
This culture of giving has continued over the years, allowing Reading to become a first-class university in terms of educating students, producing ground-breaking research and creating knowledge transfer opportunities with the business world.
Donors to the University make a significant difference to the lives of students. Our donors have pledged over £23million in the last 6 years and since the University's Annual Fund telethon was established in 2004, more than 5,000 graduates have helped to raise over £2.2 million to enhance the student experience.