Surrey Roehampton inauguration ceremony

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Duke of Kent to attend Westminster Abbey in a service to inaugurate the University of Surrey Roehampton
London, March 17th, 12pm.
A service of thanksgiving and dedication to mark the inauguration of the University of Surrey Roehampton as part of the federal University of Surrey will be held at Westminster Abbey at 12pm on Friday, March 17th. Attended by HRH the Duke of Kent who is Chancellor of the University of Surrey, Professor Patrick Dowling, Vice Chancellor of the federal University and Dr Bernadette Porter, Rector of the University of Surrey Roehampton, the noon service will mark the unique partnership between the University of Surrey and the University of Surrey Roehampton (formerly Roehampton Institute London).
The location of Westminster Abbey will provide spectacular colour and pageantry for the event that has attracted an impressive 1800 guests ensuring the abbey will be filled to capacity for the ceremony. In addition to the Duke, the list of dignitaries includes eight Mayors from south-west London and Surrey, local MPs, senior Church members from Anglican, Catholic and Methodist faiths and senior representatives of academic institutions from across the UK and America.
An exciting atmosphere will undoubtedly be created by the hundreds of staff, students and friends at the Abbey; some of whom were studying at Roehampton's colleges as early as the 1930s. So great has been the interest in the event, that the organisers have been unable to meet the heavy demand for tickets.
In keeping with the educational focus, around two hundred staff drawn from both institutions will process in full academic robes before and after the service. It is expected that this will provide an excellent photographic opportunity against the stunning backdrop outside the Abbey. The procession will also include the Duke of Kent and the Dean of Westminster.
Westminster Abbey was chosen as the ideal location for this special event which aims to reflect the strong ecumenical background and historic traditions of University of Surrey Roehampton and its constituent colleges with their Anglican, Methodist, Roman Catholic and Humanist foundations. The sermon at the service will be preached by the Reverend Dr Leslie Griffiths, former President of the Methodist Conference and Chair of Governors of Roehampton's Southlands College. Staff and student members from both the University of Surrey and the University of Surrey Roehampton will take part in a historic Act of Dedication written especially for the event.
Dr Bernadette Porter, rector & chief executive of University of Surrey Roehampton said: "This is a wonderful day for staff and students at the University of Surrey Roehampton and an important occasion in our long and established history. The service of thanksgiving and dedication at Westminster Abbey marks the start of a new era for Roehampton and I look forward to leading the university into an exciting new future. "
Professor Patrick Dowling, vice chancellor & chief executive of the University of Surrey commented: "The extension of the University of Surrey's Royal Charter, giving us the power to federate with other institutions, is a unique development in UK higher education. Federation will add value to our activities by enabling us to work in partnership with each other. I look forward to the development of many joint ventures involving, where appropriate, other institutions affiliated to the University of Surrey."
The service will be followed by a reception in Church House, Westminster, and in the afternoon the University of Surrey Roehampton will be hosting a party at Froebel College for staff of both institutions whilst in the evening students will hold their annual St Patrick's Ball.
Opportunities for pictures will be made available outside the West Door of the Abbey and also in Dean's Yard at approximately 13-00 hrs when the entire formal procession will move from the Abbey into Dean's yard.
Notes to Editors:
For further information please contact Eleanor Merrick, Press Officer at the University of Surrey Roehampton on 020 8392 3375 or 07957 176 596

Pictures will be sent electronically direct to your picture desk from Picture Partnership by 4.30pm on Friday 17th tel. 020 8665 5745.
Further images will also be available by 4.30pm to download from www.roehampton.ac.uk/news_online/
view text only/printable version here.

© copyright The University of Surrey 2000
Disclaimer

For more information e-mail information@surrey.ac.uk
Updated March 2000


		University of Surrey Guildford, Surrey GU2 7XH, UK	Tel (01483) 300800 Fax (01483) 300803




	Duke of Kent to attend Westminster Abbey in a service to inaugurate the University of Surrey Roehampton London, March 17th, 12pm. A service of thanksgiving and dedication to mark the inauguration of the University of Surrey Roehampton as part of the federal University of Surrey will be held at Westminster Abbey at 12pm on Friday, March 17th. Attended by HRH the Duke of Kent who is Chancellor of the University of Surrey, Professor Patrick Dowling, Vice Chancellor of the federal University and Dr Bernadette Porter, Rector of the University of Surrey Roehampton, the noon service will mark the unique partnership between the University of Surrey and the University of Surrey Roehampton (formerly Roehampton Institute London). The location of Westminster Abbey will provide spectacular colour and pageantry for the event that has attracted an impressive 1800 guests ensuring the abbey will be filled to capacity for the ceremony. In addition to the Duke, the list of dignitaries includes eight Mayors from south-west London and Surrey, local MPs, senior Church members from Anglican, Catholic and Methodist faiths and senior representatives of academic institutions from across the UK and America. An exciting atmosphere will undoubtedly be created by the hundreds of staff, students and friends at the Abbey; some of whom were studying at Roehampton's colleges as early as the 1930s. So great has been the interest in the event, that the organisers have been unable to meet the heavy demand for tickets. In keeping with the educational focus, around two hundred staff drawn from both institutions will process in full academic robes before and after the service. It is expected that this will provide an excellent photographic opportunity against the stunning backdrop outside the Abbey. The procession will also include the Duke of Kent and the Dean of Westminster. Westminster Abbey was chosen as the ideal location for this special event which aims to reflect the strong ecumenical background and historic traditions of University of Surrey Roehampton and its constituent colleges with their Anglican, Methodist, Roman Catholic and Humanist foundations. The sermon at the service will be preached by the Reverend Dr Leslie Griffiths, former President of the Methodist Conference and Chair of Governors of Roehampton's Southlands College. Staff and student members from both the University of Surrey and the University of Surrey Roehampton will take part in a historic Act of Dedication written especially for the event. Dr Bernadette Porter, rector & chief executive of University of Surrey Roehampton said: "This is a wonderful day for staff and students at the University of Surrey Roehampton and an important occasion in our long and established history. The service of thanksgiving and dedication at Westminster Abbey marks the start of a new era for Roehampton and I look forward to leading the university into an exciting new future. " Professor Patrick Dowling, vice chancellor & chief executive of the University of Surrey commented: "The extension of the University of Surrey's Royal Charter, giving us the power to federate with other institutions, is a unique development in UK higher education. Federation will add value to our activities by enabling us to work in partnership with each other. I look forward to the development of many joint ventures involving, where appropriate, other institutions affiliated to the University of Surrey." The service will be followed by a reception in Church House, Westminster, and in the afternoon the University of Surrey Roehampton will be hosting a party at Froebel College for staff of both institutions whilst in the evening students will hold their annual St Patrick's Ball. Opportunities for pictures will be made available outside the West Door of the Abbey and also in Dean's Yard at approximately 13-00 hrs when the entire formal procession will move from the Abbey into Dean's yard. Notes to Editors: For further information please contact Eleanor Merrick, Press Officer at the University of Surrey Roehampton on 020 8392 3375 or 07957 176 596 Pictures will be sent electronically direct to your picture desk from Picture Partnership by 4.30pm on Friday 17th tel. 020 8665 5745. Further images will also be available by 4.30pm to download from www.roehampton.ac.uk/news_online/ view text only/printable version here.

	© copyright The University of Surrey 2000 Disclaimer	For more information e-mail information@surrey.ac.uk Updated March 2000