News
Graduates reunited in the City
Over 130 Essex graduates attended the London Pub Reunion
in March. The evening proved a great success and was supported by alumni
old and new.
Held each year in central London, the event has grown in popularity and
has proved a great way for former students to catch up with old friends
and make new ones.
Anyta Duffin, (Language and Linguistics, 1991), remembered Essex as
'the most amazing time and experience in everyway, creating life-long
friendships', a sentiment that was shared by many.
'It is wonderful that an event like this attracts such a diverse range
of graduates,' said Dominic Boyd, Head of Development and Alumni
Relations. 'A cohort from the early days enjoyed regaling some recent
graduates about the mischief they got up to as students. One thing they
all share is a sense of pride in their University.'
For further information on the work of the Development and Alumni
Relations Office please visit
www.essex.ac.uk/foundation/alumni.
Just some of the Essex graduates who attended the
London Pub Reunion
Tour of Enlightenment Gallery
Ninety Essex students and staff visited the British Museum
in March for a lecture and tour of the new Enlightenment Gallery.
As Essex has the largest group of students studying the Enlightenment
nationally - 280 students in the current year - the invitation from the
Museum was particularly welcome.
The Enlightenment Gallery was set up as part of the 250th anniversary
celebration of the Museum's foundation, and now forms the intellectual
heart of the Museum's collection.
The Essex group, led by the Director of the Enlightenment programme, Dr
Alan Cardew, was welcomed by Margaret O'Brien, Head of Learning and
Further Education.
After a gallery tour, the Curator of the Enlightenment Gallery, Dr Kim
Sloan, gave a presentation on the challenge of setting up the Gallery,
which represents a revolution in museum display.
The Gallery, housed in the refurbished King's Library, reflects the
period when the curiosity of the Age of Reason was at its height and the
British Museum was founded.
New scientific discoveries, the exploration of the Pacific and the New
World, coupled with the unearthing of the classical world at Pompeii
resulted in a deluge of objects which defied easy classification.
Dr Cardew explained: 'Objects are kept together in an exciting
juxtaposition; crowded together in the gallery are gems, coins, books,
ceramics, mummies, classical statuary, and even a preserved mermaid.'
The visit was a follow-up to the Distinguished Enlightenment Lecture
given by Dr Sloan at Essex in 2004, and a talk by Dr Cardew for an
Enlightenment study day at the Museum in December.
It is now planned to set up a permanent link between Essex and the
British Museum, including an annual visit to the Museum, and a national
conference for universities studying the Enlightenment.
Give something back!
2005 has been designated the Year of the Volunteer. To
mark this - and the University's 40th anniversary - all members of staff
across the University are being invited to join the Vice-Chancellor and
Vice-Chancellor and take part in a Staff Volunteering Day on Saturday 4
June.
Siobhan O'Sullivan, Community Volunteer Co-ordinator in the Students'
Union is leading arrangements the Day. She said: 'Volunteering is a great
way to make a difference to the local community. The Staff Volunteering
Day will provide an ideal opportunity for those who may have thought about
volunteering but perhaps have not yet got involved, to contribute to the
community.'
Full details of the project the volunteers will be helping have not
been finalised yet but it will be within Essex and will either be a
'changing rooms' style project or an outdoor project, such as a nature
conservation project. Suggestions so far range from creating a school
garden to helping out at a local reservoir.
No skills or previous experience are required - full training will be
given on the day and all necessary equipment will be provided along with
transport to and from the project.
If you would like to get involved - or for more information, contact
Siobhan, e-mail sosull@essex.ac.uk.
Also in the printed May edition of Wyvern:
- Queen's Award for overseas recruitment
- Bursary scheme unveiled
- Pupils look to the home of the future
- A fitting celebration
- Memorandum marks Indonesian collaboration
