The University of Buckingham marked its 40th anniversary with a host of events on Friday 14 July. The celebration commemorated 40 years since the University College Buckingham received its Royal Charter in 1983 and became a fully fledged university.
This notable milestone was marked by alumni, former and current members of staff, Friends of the University and Buckingham Town Council at The Royal Charter University Festival on the Buckingham campus.
A series of attractions including Charter Lectures in The Vinson Building, campus tours and exhibitions on the university’s history were hosted throughout the day. The events were open to all visitors and well-wishers who received an address from Vice Chancellor Professor James Tooley and watched key speakers including celebrated barrister Sir Ivan Lawrence KC, Cynthia Tooley MBE and Prof Barnaby Lenon of the School of Education.
The University of Buckingham is historically linked to Margaret Thatcher, who as Education Secretary oversaw the creation of the university college in 1973, and as Prime Minister was instrumental in elevating it to a university in 1983 – thus creating the first private university in the UK since the establishment of the University Grants Committee in 1919.
Professor James Tooley said: I very much enjoyed the Royal Charter celebratory events at both Buckingham and Crewe campuses, and I want to congratulate everyone who was involved in the planning, organisation and execution of the events. I felt extremely proud of our university and the obvious teamwork and support that went into making the events go so smoothly. It was a wonderful way to celebrate our achievements over the past 40 years.
The event was ceremoniously concluded with the unveiling of an alumni memorial plaque on the lawn of Prebend House.
