University to mark 21st anniversary

On 17 June 1992 Wolverhampton Polytechnic became the University of Wolverhampton as a result of the Further and Higher Education Act.

And on 17 June 2013 guests from across the Black Country, including current and past staff and students, five local mayors, partners and businesses, will come together to celebrate the milestone as a special 21 and Proud event at the University’s City Campus.

The theme will be history and heritage, and we'll be celebrating the development of the University in Wolverhampton from its roots in the mid-1800s to the present day.

A specially-commissioned history and heritage book written by one of the University’s lecturers will be launched alongside a new exhibition of photographs.

Among the guests will be one of the oldest known living graduates, Sheila Holgate-Wright, who attended the University’s predecessor the Wolverhampton and Staffordshire Technical College.

Vice-Chancellor of the University of Wolverhampton, Professor Geoff Layer, said: “It’s a genuine milestone in our history and will mark the very day we became a University.

“I’m especially looking forward to the launch of the book and the insight it will give people into our heritage and where we’ve come from in the 1800s through to today. All money raised from its sale will go towards the Student Hardship Fund, which is a fantastic gesture.

“The event will also give current staff and students a further chance to join the celebrations and I’m keen to welcome many guests from across the region including the areas mayors.”

The University has also staged celebrations at two of its other campuses. At Walsall last month it held a family fun day attended by more than 1,500 people and an event celebrating enterprise for the business community was held at its Telford Innovation Campus.

Three sculptures were also commissioned from students from the University’s School of Art and Design, which have gone on display at the three campuses.

Later this month an international networking conference is being held in Sri Lanka for international education partners.

To find out more about the 21 and Proud celebrations visit www.wlv.ac.uk/21proud

ENDS

For more information please contact James Allen in the Media Relations Office on 01902 322003

Date Issued: Wednesday 12 June 2013