Walsall campus celebrates half-century milestone

Since originally forming in 1963, the Walsall location has been a key part of the University’s operations, specialising in sport, performing arts and education.

Over the last five years, it has been radically refurbished, with £50m being invested on campus improvements.

In September 2011, the School of Sport, Performing Arts and Leisure opened the Performance Hub, its landmark building for performing arts at the Walsall Campus.

The Performance Hub integrates music, dance and drama teaching and learning provision into one building, with facilities to support student learning at the highest level.

And to celebrate the half-century milestone, a special event was held at the campus’s Performance Hub on Wednesday (23 October) will be held to commemorate the anniversary, which will include a celebratory dinner and speeches from Vice-Chancellor Geoff Layer and Direction of Education Central Sir Geoff Hampton.

Guests included, former Walsall FC manager Tommy Coakley, president of Walsall Cricket Club Steve Starkey and professional PGA golfer Robert Rock, along with head teachers from local schools and other local dignitaries.

Geoff Layer, Vice Chancellor of the University of Wolverhampton was at the event. He said: “Walsall Campus has produced thousands of graduates who have successfully gone onto skilled professions.

“It is home to 6,000 students and every year they graduate in areas such as teaching, nursing, midwifery, performing arts, sports coaching and science.

“In the last five years £50m has been invested on Campus improvements and we aim to develop it even further.

British Judo’s new Centre of Excellence will soon open at Walsall Campus to help produce the next Olympic champions.

“We’re proud to be part of Walsall, a University Town, and look forward to the next 50 years and beyond of providing opportunities.”

ENDS

For more information please contact Chris Jones in the Media Relations Office on 01902 322736

Date Issued: Thursday 24 October 2013