More than 200 distinguished alumni, friends and partners of our University joined the Chancellor, HRH The Earl of Wessex, and the Vice-Chancellor at the magnificent Assembly Rooms on Tuesday 9 July to celebrate the start of our summer graduation celebrations.
The evening was also an occasion to recognise three of our most generous alumni supporters: Sir Julian Horn-Smith (MSc Business Administration 1979, Honorary LLD 2007), Eur Ing Dr Brian Nicholson QC (BEng Electrical & Electronic Engineering 1995, PhD Electrical & Electronic Engineering 1998, Honorary DEng 2018) and Ian Tarr (BSc Biochemistry 1982).
The Chancellor invited Sir Julian, Brian and Ian to sign the Chancellor’s Roll of Honour, which are a lasting record of those who have made significant gifts to the University. The Chancellor's Roll is the highest tier, which recognises exceptional philanthropic support.
Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ian White FREng, thanked the trio in his speech and spoke about the impact of their generosity:
Philanthropy is vital for this University, as it allows us to achieve what simply would not be feasible otherwise, such as in new ways to support those who deserve the most to learn, and to make possible truly innovative research which is so important for our futures.
Before dinner guests had the opportunity to immerse themselves in a number of the University’s leading research and student initiatives including UK number one Formula Student team Team Bath Racing Electric, sustainable initiatives to address the way we approach meat, plants and plastics as well as some of the incredible work done by our student volunteers on and off campus.
The recipient of Brian's first PhD Studentship, lecturer Dr Ben Metcalfe, also joined the reception to showcase his EquiVi platform to guests. EquiVi is a non-invasive wearable device – similar to a fitness and activity tracker used by humans – that can provide real-time measurement of a horse’s vital signs and could bring significant benefits to training horses and improving equine welfare. Learn more about the EquiVi from Ben.
Chair of Council, Pam Chesters CBE, brought the evening to a close with the Loyal Toast and a warm toast to the health of the University of Bath. She praised the work and achievements of the University community:
For me the University means its staff and its students. As the new Chair of Council it's great to be able to publicly pay tribute to the work that our staff do on the cutting-edge of research, and taking knowledge forward and contributing not just to our own local community and prosperity, but beyond that. In this University we are privileged in having students who really do see their own role as being part of the wider community.