Loughborough University

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Loughborough University
Motto	Veritate, Scientia, Labore ("with truth, knowledge and industry")
Established	1909
Type	Public
Chancellor	Sir John Jennings
Vice-Chancellor	Professor Shirley Pearce
Staff	2,860
Students	17,825 [1]
Undergraduates	10,865 [1]
Postgraduates	5,715 [1]
Other students	1,265
Location	Loughborough, Leicestershire, United Kingdom
Campus	Suburban
Colours	Purple (African Violet)
Nickname	Lufbra, Lboro
Affiliations	1994 Group, Universities UK, AMBA, EUA, ACU, EMUA
Website	http://www.lboro.ac.uk/

Loughborough University is a University located in the market town of Loughborough, Leicestershire in the East Midlands of England. The University offers degree programmes and research. The University has been ranked as the 6th best in the United Kingdom by The Times Good University Guide 2007,^[2] having previously been awarded 5 Queen's Anniversary Prizes, a record only equalled by the University of Oxford.^[3]

The institution dates back to 1909, when the then Loughborough Technical Institute began with a focus on skills and knowledge which would be directly applicable in the wider world, a tradition which continues to this day, with the UNIEI funded Annual Survey on University Technology Transfer Activities finding Loughborough to be the most efficient technology transfer operation in the UK.^[4]

Contents 1 Profile 1.1 Campus 1.2 Organisation 1.2.1 Faculty of Science 1.2.2 Faculty of Engineering 1.2.3 Faculty of Social Science & Humanities 1.3 Traditions 1.4 The Students' Union 1.5 Degree Programmes 1.6 Student Halls 1.7 Library 2 History 2.1 Origins 2.2 The Loughborough Colleges 2.3 The influence of Herbert Schofield 2.4 From College to University 2.5 Later history 2.6 Reputation 3 University Leadership 3.1 Chairs of Governors 3.2 Chancellors 3.3 Principals 3.4 Vice Chancellors 4 Notable alumni 5 External links 6 References

[edit] Profile

The University has 24 academic departments and over 30 research institutes, divided between three faculties: Science, Engineering and Social Science & Humanities. It has approximately 17,500 students, 61% of whom are undergraduates and 32% 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.

[edit] Campus

The 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 acquisition 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.

[edit] Organisation

Loughborough University is headed by a Vice-Chancellor, Professor Shirley Pearce. The University is organised into three faculties: Science, Engineering and Social Science & Humanities with 24 academic departments and over 30 research institutes.

[edit] Faculty of Science

• Chemistry
• Computer Science
• Human Sciences
• Information Science
• Mathematical Sciences
• Physics
• Ergonomics & Safety Research Institute
• Institute of Polymer Technology & Materials Engineering

[edit] Faculty of Engineering

• Aeronautical & Automotive Engineering
• Chemical Engineering
• Civil & Building Engineering
• Electronic & Electrical Engineering
• Systems Engineering
• Wolfson School of Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering

[edit] Faculty of Social Science & Humanities

• Business School
• Design & Technology
• Economics
• English & Drama
• Politics, International Relations & European Studies
• Geography
• School of Sport & Exercise Sciences
• School of Art & Design
• Social Sciences
• Teacher Education Unit

[edit] 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 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.

[edit] The Students' Union

Main article: Loughborough 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 offers a range of facilities for clubs and societies, retail, entertainment and other activities.

Along with Loughborough Students Union's (LSU) numerous sports clubs the union hosts and organises many other activities and societies. Loughborough Students RAG organises charity work, and is among the largest such bodies in the UK, it generates increasing amounts of money for charity with impressive increases year on year - in 2006 raising over £620,000 net, for a range of causes. LSU is also home to Loughborough Campus Radio, LSUTV and Label Magazine.

[edit] Degree Programmes

Loughborough offers a wide variety of degree programmes:
Undergraduate Prospectus
Postgraduate Prospectus

[edit] Student Halls

Loughborough University is well known for its many halls, and amongst that, lots of hall spirit. There are currently 14 undergraduate halls, 1 postgraduate hall, and 1 hall being refurbished(although part of it is still open as post-grad). The halls are as follows:

• Butler Court
• Cayley Hall
• David Collett Hall
• Elvyn Richards Hall
• Falkner Eggington Court www.falk-egg.com
• Faraday Hall
• Forest Court
• Harry French Hall
• Hazlerigg and Rutland Hall
• John Phillips Court
• Royce Hall
• Rutherford Hall
• Telford Hall
• The Holt
• Towers Hall
• William Morris Hall (Currently partly open as Somerton)

[edit] Library

The Pilkington Library opened in 1980 with most advanced facilities. It covers 7,777 square metres over three floors with 780 study places, including 140 workstations over 400,000 books; 4000 printed journals and access to 6000 e- journals. The Library has a history of undertaking research in the field of library and information work.

[edit] History

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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).

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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. Loughborough University has continued to grow from strength to strength and in The 2006 Times Good University Guide it was placed sixth in the country after Oxford University, University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, London School of Economics and University College London.

[edit] Reputation

Notable departments include CREST, The Centre for Renewable Energy Systems Technology which runs the internationally recognised masters programme in Renewable Energy.

[edit] University Leadership

[edit] Chairs of Governors

• A.A. Bumpus (1909-25)
• B.B. Barrow (1925-34)
• William Bastard (1934-36)
• W. H. Wright (1936-40)
• Sir Robert Martin (1940-52)
• Sir Harold West (1952-1957)
• Sir Edward Herbert (1957-1963)
• Sir Herbert Manzoni (1963-1966)

[edit] Chancellors

• Lord Pilkington (1966-1980) ^[5]
• Sir Arnold Hall (1980-1989)
• Sir Denis Rooke (1989-2003)
• Sir John Jennings (2003-)

[edit] Principals

• S.C. Laws (1909-1915)
• Herbet Schofield (1915-1950)
• Major-General W.F. Hasted (1951-1952)
• Interim 'triumvirate' Jan-Sept 1952: H.E. Falkner, J.W. Bridgeman, C.D. Bentley
• Wing Commander H.E. Falkner (1952-1953) (Acting)
• H.L. Haslegrave (1953-1966)

[edit] Vice Chancellors

• H.L. Haslegrave (1966-1967) ^[6]
• 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-)

[edit] Notable alumni

• Derek Abbott - Physicist and Electronic Engineer
• Rosalind Ayres - Actress
• Steve Backley - Javelin Thrower
• 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
• Diane Farr - Numb3rs actress
• Lorna Fitzsimons - former NUS President and Labour Party MP
• James Gibson - Swimmer
• Tanni Grey-Thompson - Athlete
• Ben Kay - England Rugby World Cup 2003 Winner.
• David Moorcroft - Runner
• Neil Oatley - Formula One Engineer and Designer
• Monty Panesar - England Test Cricketer
• Paula Radcliffe MBE - Athlete
• Chris Read - England Cricket Wicketkeeper.
• Bridget Riley - Artist
• Jonathon Roberts - Actor, starred in Shaun of the Dead
• Lisa Rogers - Television presenter
• Lawrie Sanchez - Football manager
• Malcolm Sayer - Jaguar Cars Designer and Engineer
• Karamjot Singh Cheema - Italian Football Pundit
• Jodie Swallow - Triathlete
• David Turner - Politician
• Bob Wilson - Ex-Arsenal goal-keeper.
• Sir Clive Woodward - England Rugby coach.
• Peter Jones (honoris causa) - former FIFA and Premiership football referee.
• Adnan_al-Janabi - Iraq former minister without portfolio.

[edit] External links

• Loughborough University
• Loughborough Student's Union
• Loughborough International Students Association

[edit] References