Conference and party round off 125th anniversary opening celebrations

Posted Yesterday

A second day of celebrations at Harper Adams University saw students, employees, alumni, staff and partners join together to mark the institution’s 125th anniversary.

The event – which followed on from one attended by University Chancellor, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal – was hosted by University Vice-Chancellor Professor Ken Sloan and saw a packed morning of talks and presentations, followed by a party for employees, students and guests.

Events in the morning of Friday, September 25 included the bestowing of two Honorary degrees, to Shropshire-born business and civic leader John O’Brien MBE and to actor, presenter and comedian Ed Byrne.

A panel drawn from the University’s alumni reflected upon the institution’s history – with University Archivist Dr Catherine Baxter hearing from former staff and students about their time at the institution.

Later in the day, the University also formally launched its Staff Alumni Association, which will bring together former colleagues, helping them stay connected with each other and with the University that they helped shape.

In a second morning panel, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Michael Lee spoke with Professor Jude Capper, Chair of Sustainable Ruminant Production and Manny Athwal, Founder and CEO of the School of Coding and AI, about the partnerships they are involved in and how these are making a difference to the present-day Harper Adams University.

Vice-Chancellor's medals were presented to three current members of staff at the University – Dr Mark Simock, Dr Iona Huang, and Senior Lecturer in Engineering and Douglas Bomford Trust Technical Secretary David White – recognising their contributions to University life, and the first of a series of 125th anniversary staff awards were made – with more to follow throughout the year.

Professor Sloan, John O’Brien MBE and Ed Byrne then took part in a panel discussion reflecting upon the “The Future of Everything Starts Here” – before a celebratory party began, which included the cutting of a 125th anniversary cake baked by Chef Sarah Bradbury.

Reflecting on the two days of opening events, Harper Adams Executive Director for Institutional Impact and Engagement, Ian Rowley, said: “I am grateful to the many people who played a part in the success of the 125^th anniversary launch events. 

“Both days saw our community come together in ways that were distinctive and impactful.  The official launch on Friday made a really positive impression on the 250 guests who joined us.

“Friday’s community launch gave us the opportunity to join together to celebrate the first of our 125^th anniversary staff award winners enjoy a little down time riding the big wheel and listening to music

Professor Sloan added: “125 years of Harper Adams is a huge achievement and, over the next 16 months, we will be holding a number of events to celebrate our heritage, embrace the present, and look forward to the future with optimism and enthusiasm.

“Last Friday’s celebration marked the start of a new Harper Adams tradition.

“Harper Adams first opened its doors to students on September 26 1901 and, in future years, we will designate September 26 as our “Foundation Day”, a day when we will celebrate the contributions of everyone who has helped shape the institution.

"At the end of a memorable two days, going on the big wheel and chatting with Ed Byrne was an enjoyable, if unexpected, experience”

_{Pictures from the day by  Beanstalk Global /Max MacGillivray and Harper Adams University}