New Chancellor installed

50th anniversary

KENTAlumniThe Magazine for the University of Kent | Autumn 2014

Dear friends,

As I write, we have launched our 50th anniversary year, and the celebrations are well underway. We have much tocelebrate, and our success is due – in no small part – to the continued support of our worldwide alumni community.

Our 50th anniversary offers the entire Kent community; staff, students, alumni and friends of the University, anopportunity to come together and celebrate everything that we have achieved over the past 50 years. As aninstitution, we have achieved much of which we can be proud, including a league table rise to become a top 20 UKuniversity again this year, the development of new courses and of course, our expansion to our Medway campusand our four European postgraduate centres. However, much remains that you will remember from your time at Kent,from the original colleges and Beverly Farmhouse, to that extraordinary view of the City on the Canterbury campus.

Buildings such as the Gulbenkian, one of our first campus buildings, the new Colyer-Fergusson Music Buildingand Bridge Wardens’ College demonstrate the impact that the support of alumni and friends has had on ourcampuses and on our students. You have all played your part in advancing the University and life at Kent wouldbe very different without this vital support.

From scholarships and prizes which reward the hard work and achievements of our students, to work placementsand professional mentors to enhance their graduate prospects; the 50th anniversary should also be our chance tosay thank you – to all of you – for helping Kent to excel.

Our University is evolving, and the next 50 years will, we hope, be even more exciting than the last. In addition tobeing an opportunity for celebration, this year is also your chance to have your say on the future of the Universityand for us all to reflect on what Kent might look like in 50 years’ time. It is a challenge to all of us to create a lastinglegacy that will shape the University for the next 50 years: This is your chance to shape our future.

I hope to have the opportunity to see many of you at the celebrations this year; find out more about our plans atwww.kent.ac.uk/50.

Professor Dame Julia M Goodfellow, DBE, CBEVice-Chancellor

Welcome

Special thanks to Lesley Farr, University Design and Print Centre, and Wendy Raeside, Corporate Communications.Photography by Simon Jarrett, Matt Wilson, Jim Higham, Lesley Farr, Hexiao Tong

3 News 4 Research at Kent 6 News 8 Alumni giving: Your generosity in action10 Feature: Our new chancellor 11 Graduation 2014 12 50th Anniversary 14 Staff Profile:John Strange 15 Alumni giving: Footsteps Project 16 Community: We are Kent!19 Jobshop and the Legal Walk 20 Kent Union 21 Alumni profile: Tom Currie 22 Community: Join us 23 Obituary

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News

Cover story

50th celebrations (pages 12 and 13)

The arrival of the new academic year hasbrought with it Kent’s 50th anniversary,and celebrations to commemorate thisimportant milestone were launched atopening ceremonies at the Canterburyand Medway campuses on 1 and 2October 2014.

Hundreds of staff and students, both past andpresent, as well as friends of Kent and membersof the wider community, attended the openingceremonies to welcome in the official start of ouryear-long celebrations. The evenings’entertainment included live bands playing musicfrom the last five decades, covering songs byfamous bands who once performed at Kent,including U2 and Led Zeppelin, as well as salsadancing and stand-up comedy. A selection offood outlets ensured that all tastes were cateredfor, and guests were also able to sample our

KENTWe are keen to have your feedback and letters arewelcome from all our readers. Simply email us atalumni@kent.ac.uk

Editorial team: Elena Roberts, SupporterCommunications Officer, Julia Baxter, Development& Alumni Engagement Officer and Fiona Jones,Development & Alumni Engagement Manager.

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Kent launches 50th anniversarycelebrations in style

delicious ‘Templeman Ale’, a speciallycommissioned Kent 50th anniversary ShepherdNeame brew.

Guests at the Canterbury opening ceremony hadthe chance to ride the Kent Wheel, our biggest50th anniversary attraction, and enjoyedstunning panoramic views of the University andthe surrounding City of Canterbury as the sunset on the celebrations. Both ceremonies closedwith a spectacular fireworks display, which lit upthe sky above both campuses and could beseen for miles around. A film of the openingceremonies is available atwww.kent.ac.uk/50/celebrate

The Kent Wheel will return to the Canterburycampus from 1 July to 15 October 2015. Find outmore on pages 12 and 13 about the excitingevents that are planned over the next year.

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Since the University’s foundation 50 years ago, researchhas played a significant role, with our researchers makinga huge difference not only to Kent, but also the widerworld. Here, we explore some of the fascinating ways inwhich the work of researchers today is making an impactacross a wide range of subjects – with effects that willcontinue to be felt for the next 50 years.

Research at Kent:Making a difference

Imagining AutismSchool of Artswww.kent.ac.uk/arts/research/

Research at Kent is helping children with autismto communicate more effectively. Working withchildren aged 7 to 12, the study aimed toencourage language development, empathy and

commenting on everything.’ ‘He is identifyingemotions, and naming them.’ ‘He gave me a kissand a cuddle, which is rare.’ ‘He is reasoningthings out – we had a conversation for 15minutes for the first time.’

Many professionals were also surprised by theproject’s results. Education and health settingsoften focus their efforts on providing childrenwith specific skills such as counting or dressing.In contrast, the project environments were highlysensory and child-centred, giving the childrencreative autonomy as ‘co-producers’ in theactivities. And, as a result, the children displayedsignificant changes in behaviour.

The National Autistic Society is now training staffin the Imagining Autism approach and the workis being tested in health settings includingdiagnostic services within the National HealthService.

imagination. It did so by exposing the children toa series of imaginary environments andproviding drama and play-based activities(puppetry, physical performance techniques andresponsive digital technologies).

During the Imagining Autism project the parentsoffered many compelling testimonies: ‘He hasgained in his imagination; he is talking more,

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Research

Biopharmaceutical proteinsSchool of Bioscienceswww.kent.ac.uk/bio/research/

The use of pharmaceutical drugs produced inliving cells has been steadily rising, with many ofthe most common biopharmaceuticals beingproteins. Research to improve the productionand secretion of these protein drugs by cells hasbecome a crucial part of drug development.

The patented technology co-developed by Kentresearchers can produce increases in the levelsand authenticity of a range of high-value,secretory proteins. Several major pharmaceuticalcompanies including Novozymes and Pfizer areusing the technology to help produce drugs fortreating a wide range of human diseases, suchas type 2 diabetes.

Reducing carbon emissionsSchool of Engineering and Digital Artswww.eda.kent.ac.uk/research/

New technology developed at Kent could play amajor role in the global challenge of tacklingclimate change. It was used to help Drax, thelargest power station in the UK, move from firingcoal to a combination of biomass and coal, as itsought to halve its carbon footprint within fiveyears.

Based on new instrumentation, the technologyallows the engineers to diagnose the combustionprocess and optimise the operation of coal,biomass and heavy-oil-fired power plants. It islikely to have the greatest impact in countriessuch as China, where up to 70% of energy isgenerated from coal-fired power plants.

Evaluating social carePersonal Social Services Research Unitwww.pssru.ac.uk

Research at Kent has developed a new robustmethod that measures the quality of life foradults in social care by identifying factors suchas dignity, control over daily life, safety, personalcleanliness, social participation, occupation,and food and drink. This led to the developmentof the Adult Social Care Outcomes Toolkit(ASCOT), which The Guardian described as a‘new and valuable tool’ that would ‘shake upadult social care’.

ASCOT has been translated into Italian, Danish,Finnish, Austrian and Dutch, and is also beingtranslated into Japanese.

Preventing genetic disordersSchool of Bioscienceswww.kent.ac.uk/bio/research/

The University’s research has helped to developnew techniques that are being used in IVF clinicsaround the world. Applied to families where thereis a high risk of genetic disorders, the process –known as ‘karyomapping’ – has helped to ensurebirths of unaffected children.

The impact of this research has also beenextended beyond clinical applications.Adaptations are being translated for use inlivestock breeding regimes, to improve meatyields and reduce environmental concerns.

Protecting the Mary RoseSchool of Physical Scienceswww.kent.ac.uk/physical-sciences/research/

Timber ships that have been raised from theseabed are prone to erosion when they comeinto contact with the air. However, when the MaryRose was raised from the seabed after half amillennium, she was protected by pioneeringtechniques developed at Kent. The researchinvolved the discovery of a compound to treatthe ship’s wood and to prevent the deposits ofsulphur salts on its surface.

As a warship, the Mary Rose served in HenryVIII’s navy for 34 years and sank while engagingthe French navy in 1545.

Conflict resolutionSchool of Politics and International Relationswww.kent.ac.uk/politics/research

Kent’s research on conflict resolution has beenused to enhance professional training in the fieldand improve democratic participation in conflict-ridden societies. It created a framework forconflict resolution that is one of the most widelyreferred to in the field.

Research included a focus on politicalrepresentation in societies split by deep ethnic,racial and religious divisions, drawing oninnovations that make power-sharingarrangements more durable.

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News

Top 20 Guardian position forKentKent has been ranked in the top 20 in TheGuardian university league table for the secondyear running.

Two thirds of the subjects offered by Kent arealso ranked in the top 20 by The Guardian. Theseinclude national top 10 subjects: Journalism (1st);Film Production & Photography (2nd); AmericanStudies (4th); Anthropology (6th); Social Policy &Admin (7th); Classics (8th); History of Art (8th);Social Work (8th); Art (10th); and Drama & Dance(10th). Medway School of Pharmacy, acollaboration between the universities of Kentand Greenwich, was ranked 9th in its subjectarea.

The 2015 Guardian table (published in June2014) is based on criteria that include teachingquality, student course satisfaction, staff-studentratio and the percentage of graduates who findgraduate-level jobs, or are studying further, withinsix months of graduation.

Recently, Kent was placed joint third for overallsatisfaction in the National Student Surveyalongside universities such as Cambridge,Durham and Oxford, and was ranked 22nd in theComplete University Guide 2015.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Dame JuliaGoodfellow said: “This is an excellent result forKent. It is also further recognition for all our staffas they continue to provide our students with oneof the best academic experiences in the UK. Ourleague table position remains a reflection of ourability to attract high-calibre students and toprovide them with the appropriate skills for theirfuture careers.”

Kent Student AwardsExceptional students from the University whohave made an outstanding contribution touniversity life and an impact on the widercommunity were recognised at the Kent StudentAwards on 31 May.

A joint initiative between the University and KentUnion, the Kent Student Awards were launchedthis year to celebrate and give students officialrecognition for their achievements. Students werenominated in nine categories with the entireshortlist being congratulated for going above andbeyond in a number of activities and initiativesthat benefit others.

The awards were presented by Vice-ChancellorProfessor Dame Julia Goodfellow at a gala dinnerattended by shortlisted nominees, their guestsand members of the University community.A special ‘Student of the Year’ award was alsopresented to Tom Currie, an exceptional studentwho has led initiatives designed to make theUniversity a ‘greener’ place. Find out more aboutTom on page 21.

Kent students were also congratulated at theannual Volunteering Awards, led by Kent Union.The awards, held at both the Canterbury andMedway campuses, celebrated students’achievements which included spending 105,000hours volunteering on campus and in the localcommunity.

www.kent.ac.uk/student/kentawards/winners/index.html

Athena SWAN Bronze awardThe University has received the Athena SWANCharter Bronze award for its work in supportingthe career progression of women in STEMM(Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths andMedicine) areas.

The Bronze award recognises that Kent hasestablished a solid institutional foundationthrough the development of policies, practicesand systems to advance gender equality and toembed an inclusive culture that values all staff.

Beliefs underpinning the Athena SWAN Charterare that: advancement of STEMM is fundamentalto quality of life across the globe; it is vitallyimportant that women are adequately

represented in what has traditionally been, andstill is, a male dominated area; and that sciencecannot reach its full potential unless it can benefitfrom the talents of the whole population.

Gulbenkian awarded nationalstatusGulbenkian has been accepted onto ArtsCouncil England’s national portfolio programme.Arts Council England announced its three-yearfunding strategy on 1 July, unveiling Gulbenkianas one of only 30 new National PortfolioOrganisations outside London.

Gulbenkian’s status as a National PortfolioOrganisation means that, in addition to thecurrent support from the University, Gulbenkianwill receive an Arts Council England grant of£220,000 for each of the next three financialyears (starting April 2015).

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In its report, the Arts Council highlighted howGulbenkian’s vision reflects its own priorities,specifically working with and for children andyoung people: ‘The organisation under thecurrent Director has become one of the leadingdeliverers of arts experiences for and bychildren and young people in Kent. Theycontinue to run the pilot for ART31, a projectwhich empowers young people, they connectnationally and internationally to children’s theatreand festival programming and are proposingtheir own children’s theatre festival with strongmanagement involvement by young people.’

Kent icon award for OrlandoBloomOrlando Bloom has been named Kent’s CulturalIcon by overwhelming public vote in theCanterbury Cultural awards 2014, sponsored bythe University.

In a category to mark the University’s 50thanniversary celebrations, the actor – awarded anhonorary degree by Kent in 2010 – wasnominated alongside Brenda Blethyn, TraceyEmin and Ellie Goulding. His mother, SoniaCopeland-Bloom, collected the award on hisbehalf during a ceremony at the University’sCanterbury campus on 12 June.

Orlando Bloom, who is currently filming in theUSA, sent a personal video message to theaudience, thanking everyone who had voted forhim, and explaining just how important it is forKent’s cultural scene to stay vibrant and exciting.

www.kent.ac.uk/50/celebrate/news/index.html?id=534

Law Clinic triumphsKent Law Clinic, the University’s pro-bono legalservice, has won the Ethical Initiative of the Yearaward at the Lawyer Awards 2014.

The Clinic secured first place in a categoryfeaturing a host of well-known international lawfirms.

Announced at the 20th anniversary edition of theLawyer Awards on 25 June, the awardrecognises the work carried out by the Clinic’sstaff and students in its immigrations and asylumteam. This included supporting individuals withasylum claims, working with refugee supportgroups such as Kent Refugee Help and KentRefugee Action Network, and conductingresearch into the treatment of unaccompaniedminors who apply for asylum.

BooksMemory of Water, Emmi Itaranta

Alumna Emma Itaranta, who was awardedan MA in Creative Writing from the School ofEnglish in 2009, presented her debut novelat the University of Kent’s Canterburycampus in June for its UK launch.

Set in a future world, the book is describedas a coming-of-age tale which sees themain character given responsibility forguarding one of the last known freshwatersprings. The science fiction novel, whichEmmi began writing as part of her course atKent, received critical acclaim when it waspublished in her native Finland in 2012under the title Teemestarin Kirja, and is nowset to be translated into 14 languages.

Emmi, who secured a two-book deal withHarperCollins Publishers, said: ‘I wrote thefirst chapter as a short story as part of mydissertation during my studies at Kent andone of my tutors encouraged me to continuewriting it as she thought it had the potentialas a novel. I never expected I would get myfirst novel published, so am absolutelydelighted. It will be exciting to see how thebook is received.’

The Road Headed West,Leon McCarron

Many of us dream of escaping life behinda desk, and setting out into the unknown.Adventurer and expedition cameramanLeon McCarron is one of the few peoplewho turned this dream into reality. Over thepast four years, Leon, who graduated fromKent in 2008 with a BA (Hons) in Film, hastrekked across deserts, walked the lengthof China and cycled 14,000 miles from NewYork to Hong Kong. He has now written abook from the journals he kept during his6,000 mile bicycle trek across NorthAmerica in 2010. Released in July, The RoadHeaded West was inspired by the journalshe kept during his epic adventure, from theperils of the journey to the kindness ofstrangers he met along the way, and offersa first-hand account of what it feels like totake a chance in life and not settle for theordinary.

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1 Kent Student Awards2 Orlando Bloom3 Gulbenkian4 Kent Law Clinic at Lawyer Awards 2014

Kent Experiences of Workbursary scheme: £5,000Work experience is now often seen as essentialin securing that all important first job, but manystudents struggle to support themselves whilstundertaking it. Working hours may beincompatible with part-time jobs designed tofit around their studies, or the costs of transportor accommodation may be more than they canafford.

In 2013, the Careers and Employability Servicelaunched the ‘Kent Experiences of Work’ schemeto help students obtain work experience whilststudying at the University. This included abursary scheme set up to support studentsundertaking otherwise unpaid work experience.

The scheme covers out-of-pocket expensesincurred when undertaking work experience –not only covering direct expenses like travelcosts, but extending other expenses, likechildcare or the purchase of appropriate workclothing where necessary. During the 2013/14academic year, 55 students benefited frombursaries supported by this project.

KENT Magazine

Alumni giving

Your generosity in action

Since launching in 2012, theKent Opportunity Fund hasprovided students with manychances to develop their skills,confidence and careerprospects. In January 2014,grants of almost £40,000 weremade to 13 projects takingplace around the Universitydesigned to benefit studentsand enhance their experiencewhilst studying at the University.

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European Summer Schoolscholarships – Brusselsand Paris: £10,000European Summer Schools took place at ourParis and Brussels centres in the summer of2014. The project was highly successful, withover 500 applications made for the 40 placesavailable. These scholarships were awarded tosecond and final year undergraduate students ofthe University, based on their academicperformance, and covered tuition, travel andaccommodation expenses.

Summer School students were able to developtheir knowledge on the functioning of theEuropean Union or study the RevolutionaryInfluences of French history and culture. Overa two week period, students debated withacademics and interacted with real lifepractitioners and thinkers on a range of themesand issues.

Each programme comprised academic andcultural sessions that took place in and aroundBrussels or Paris, and provided students with arange of transferable skills that will be attractiveto future employers.

Healthcare workexperience projects: £4,000Working with KentHealth, this project providedbursaries to allow eight students to eachcomplete an eight week work placement duringthe summer vacation. In partnership withhealthcare providers (such as NHS trusts) ourstudents gained valuable experience by beingexposed to the realities of the healthcareprofession and undertaking research within aprofessional environment.

This work benefits both the partner organisation,by providing a capable student, keen to learnand develop, and builds relationships betweenthe University and local healthcare organisations,potentially benefiting both through futurecollaborations.

Funding decisions for the StudentProjects Grant Scheme are madeby a selection Committee, chairedby Kent alumnus and Director ofStudent Services Dr WayneCampbell (Darwin 1985). Thisgroup comprises representativesfrom academic schools, KentUnion, the Alumni Office and thedonor community.

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Alumni giving

This project is jointly funded by KentHealth, theKent Opportunity Fund and East Kent HospitalsUniversity Foundation Trust.

Campus2Campus run:£1,000Organised by the Athletics and Cross CountrySociety, this project saw 14 students run 200miles from the University’s Canterbury campusto the Paris campus, raising over £6,000 for localCharity Pilgrims Hospice. The runners set offon 13 June 2014 and ran over 26 miles a dayfor eight consecutive days – the equivalent ofover eight marathons!

The event was planned to highlight theinternational nature of the University as we enterour 50th year, develop skills in the team takingpart, and contribute to the local community byraising vital funds for Pilgrims Hospice.

Autism and employability:£2,440The Autism and Employability Project began inJanuary 2013 aiming to enhance the studentexperience for a group of students whorequested additional assistance, and develop analumni network to offer mutual support and peermentoring in the area of employability. Given thesuccess of the first year, funding was grantedagain in 2014, to allow the work to continue.

The project was designed to support studentsand alumni with autism (including Asperger’sSyndrome) and improve the confidence andemployability skills of this group. Students withautistic spectrum conditions have traditionallyfared badly in the employment market hence theneed for additional support and guidance in thisarea.

1 One of the many projects supported in 2014through the Student Projects Grant Schemeis the Healthcare work experience project.

2 Campus2Campus runners

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THANK YOU!A big thank you to everyone who hassupported the Kent Opportunity Fund,which supports students at Kent throughscholarships, student projects and hardshipbursaries. For more information, visit

www.kent.ac.uk/giving

Student projects funded 2013/14 Amount

Campus2Campus Run £1,000

European Summer School Brussels £5,000

European Summer School Paris £5,000

Kent Experiences of Work bursary scheme £5,000

International Mediation competition £2,715

Healthcare Work Experience Projects £4,000

Keynestock 2014 £1,000

Community Give – Netball in Primary Schools £1,050

RaG Week fundraising activities £1,500

Inside Sports Science £4,875

Space Society telescope project £3,300

Autism and Employability Project £2,440

The community garden £2,500

Award-winning journalist,broadcaster and authorDr Gavin Esler(Rutherford 1971) wasinstalled as Chancellorof the University of Kentat Rochester Cathedralon 8 July.

The installation took place during one of fourUniversity congregation ceremonies held at theCathedral. As Chancellor, Gavin’s duties willinclude conferring degrees, chairing theUniversity’s Court and representing theUniversity on special occasions.

Born in Glasgow and brought up in Edinburgh,Gavin graduated from Kent with a BA in Englishand American Literature in 1974, and was alsoawarded an MA and an honorary Doctor of CivilLaw in 1995 and 2005 respectively. He hasworked for the BBC since 1977 and was WhiteHouse-based Chief North Americancorrespondent from 1989 to 1998. More recently,he has been one of three main presenters onBBC2’s Newsnight, as well as main presenter onDateline London (BBC World and BBC NewsChannel).

‘I’m extremely proud to be here as the newChancellor of the University of Kent’ said Gavin,during his installation speech. ‘My predecessorsin this position are Princess Marina, Duchess ofKent, Lord Grimond, and Professor Sir RobertWorcester. I’m humbled to be in such company.

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Our new Chancellor

I’m proud, because I’m the first member of myfamily to go to university. I’m also proud andhumbled, because I am the first alumnus of theUniversity of Kent to be honoured with theposition of Chancellor. But I will not be the last. Inour 50th anniversary year, choosing an alumnusas Chancellor is, in its own way, a coming of agemoment for the University.’

During his speech, the Chancellor spoke of hisreasons for pursuing studies at University, andKent’s role in shaping his career:

‘My time at Kent was the step which changed mylife. It led to a career in which I’ve been luckyenough to meet Presidents and Prime Ministers,Kings and Queens, the occasional terrorist, a fewbank robbers, and some honest politicians. Whatled me to Kent as an 18 year old was curiosity.What led me to become a writer, and a journalist,was (and is) curiosity. I have always felt that younever know if something is worth looking in tountil you begin to look into it. And that is part ofthe purpose of our universities, and why Kentexcels – to allow freedom of thought, ofresearch, of ideas, to allow curiosity to thrive,without trying to calculate what it might be worthin cash terms, because you simply do not know.’

The Chancellor spoke about the vital role whichuniversities play in scientific advances and theimpact these have on society. He also rejectedunhelpful comparisons of universities to ‘ivorytowers’ that are not part of the real world. ‘Thediscovery of the Higgs boson at a university; notreal? The discovery of DNA; not real? Thecreation of new business ideas, and youngentrepreneurs up and down this island throughthe work of universities; not real? Universities area bridge between what businesses need and

Feature

Chancellors at the University of Kent:1963-1968 HRH Princess Marina

1970-1990 Lord Grimond of Firth

1990-1995 Dr Robert Horton

1996-2006 Sir Crispin Tickell

2006-2013 Sir Robert Worcester

2014-present Dr Gavin Esler

what society needs, but they’re also a space tothink, to create, to review, to consider, withouttrying to calculate their value in monetary terms.To those of you who teach and research at theUniversity, thank you for encouraging those fromfamilies who might not have had all the materialopportunities to understand that a university isnot for other people. It’s for us. Actually, it is us.’

The Chancellor ended his speech bycongratulating the new graduates on theirachievements, and urged them to encourageothers to perceive a university education as aninvaluable learning tool, accessible to all: ‘Thoseof you here today are the best advertisement fora university that I can think of. As you leave topursue success in whatever field of humanendeavour you choose, I hope that you willalways remain part of the University community,and an advocate for the University as a placewhere thinking is allowed, and that you will arguethat going to university is a great investment, withan incalculable profit for all of us, even if wecannot see that profit immediately.’

Over 6,000 students graduatedat the Rochester and CanterburyCathedrals in July 2014, takingour alumni community up to142,000 members!

The July graduation ceremonies may be over, buttheir memory lives on. Many of our new graduatestook some time out of their big day to put chalk toblackboard and told us what Kent meant to them!For more pictures, please visit our Flickr gallery at

www.flickr.com/photos/universityofkentalumni/sets

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Graduation 2014

Welcoming ournew alumni

Thirteen honorary degrees were awarded atRochester & Canterbury over the course of ourgraduation ceremonies. The UK’s DeputyPermanent Representative to the EU ShanMorgan (Darwin 1973), disability rightscampaigner Liz Sayce (Darwin 1973) and penalreform campaigner Baroness Stern wereamongst those to receive one. Comedian HarryHill, who was awarded a Doctor of Arts at the

Canterbury Cathedral, recalled how he studiedfor a medical degree at university, and urged thenew graduates to stay open minded about theircareer paths: ‘When I left medicine, loads ofpeople told me that I’d never earn a living as acomedian. What I’m saying to you is that whenyou do start work, it may not be the job you want,or may not even lead to the job you want, but youcan change. It’s never too late. I am living proofof that. So follow your heart.’

A special Memory Board was setup during ourcongregations ceremonies and our new graduateswere all keen to take a walk down memory lanewith us! All cards submitted on our Memory Boardover the course of graduation week were enteredinto a prize draw, and the competition winner wasAldana Fernandez Martinez (Woolf 2012), whosememory card read:

My year at Kent was amazing, thepeople I met became my family.Classes and seminars were great!It was the best year of my life andI will never forget it.

Aldana received a Kent graduation goodie bagfor her entry, which included a special cardsigned by the Alumni Relations team. ‘I almostcried when I saw the letter’ said Aldana, whosent us a picture of her goodie bag as soon asshe received it. ‘Thank you for this special gift!’

1 Shan Morgan2 Liz Sayce3 Harry Hill

Honorary degrees – and an unforgettable selfie Memory Board competition

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Feature

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Celebrating our 50th yearFollowing our opening ceremonies in Canterbury and Medway on1 and 2 October, Kent staff jetted off to Belgium and the USAto launch the international celebrations.As part of the celebrations, we have already visited Brussels, Boston, Chicago, Indianapolis, Los Angeles, NewYork, San Francisco and Washington DC. Over the next year, Kent will be holding alumni events in a hostof cities around the world, and you are all invited! For the full calendar of events, please visitwww.kent.ac.uk/50/celebrate/events.

Bristol28 April 2015

Canterbury4-6 September 2015

Manchester30 April 2015

Rome18 June 2015

San Francisco1 May 2015

Los Angeles30 April 2015

Chicago2 May 2015

Washington DC28 April 2015

New York25 April 2015

Boston27 April 2015

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1 The Kent Wheel2 Alumni Reunion Weekend3 Kent Rocks!

The Kent Wheel We brought a giant ferriswheel to our Canterbury campus for theopening ceremony and thousands of peoplehave gone for a spin for stunning views ofCanterbury, our campus and the surroundingareas – many going twice to see the sightsagain after sunset! If you couldn’t make it thisyear, don’t worry, it’s coming back next summer,from 1 July 2015 to 15 October 2015.

Kent QI Comedy and academia will collide inFebruary 2015 when Kent hosts a special oneoff 50th anniversary version of the famous quiz.John Lloyd CBE, QI creator and Kent HonoraryGraduate, will take charge of a panel includingsome of our famous friends, alumni andhonorary graduates who are regulars on theBBC show. It’s not to be missed!

2015 Paris to Canterbury Campus Cycle RideAlumni can join the team taking on thechallenge of riding 230 miles from Paris toCanterbury. It will take place over four days and

coincide with our alumni reunion weekend on theCanterbury campus from 4-6 September 2015.

Alumni Reunion Weekend Over 1,000 alumnihave already registered their interest in thereunion weekend, which is taking place from 4-6September 2015. The event will offer you thechance to return to the Canterbury campus andre-live your student days. From barbecues andmusic concerts to open lectures and campustours – there’ll be something for everyone. Youalso have the opportunity of staying overnight inthe college you belonged to, making the yearssince you graduated seem like only yesterday.

Vice-Chancellor’s 50th anniversary lecturesA series of inspiring lectures by University staffwill be held throughout the year. Hear Dr RuthBlakeley talk about rendition and secretdetention in the ‘War on Terror’ or ProfessorMartin Warren on the subject of medicalmysteries in the royal families of Europe.They are open to all and free to attend.

Kent Rocks! Some of biggest bands in theworld have rocked the University. The Who,Led Zeppelin, Soft Machine, Genesis, U2,The Smiths and Radiohead all played here –did you see them live? We would love to hearyour story! Please contact 50years@kent.ac.uk

Anniversary souvenirs If you are as excited asus about the 50th anniversary, you’ll bedelighted to know that you can get your handson 50th anniversary souvenirs! Fancy a gameof Kent monopoly, your own Kent bunny orkeeping warm this winter in a 50th onesie?

Student Media at Kent An interactive wall,based at the new Student Media Centre, willportray 50 years of student media at Kent.Were you there when Kent’s first newspaperand radio station were launched? You cancontribute to the design of the wall, helpingmake the journey from 1965 to today.

Paris19-20 February 2015

Hong Kong7-11 April 2015

London26 March 2015

Athens15 May 2015

Kuala Lumpur12-16 April 2015

Singapore17-19 April 2015

Here are some of the exciting events which we will be hosting in our anniversary year to celebrateour achievements over the past 50 years! For more, visit www.kent.ac.uk/50

Staff profile

Professor John Strange

it encouraged a good social mixing among thestaff and we all knew each other well.

What did the University look like when youbegan working here?

There was a rather barren campus, there were noundergraduates, a few research students and alarge building site which was to be Eliot Collegeand the Physical Sciences Laboratory (nowMarlowe). The Registry was in the city atWestgate House. Academic staff had offices inBeverley Farm plus temporary huts at the rear.These huts also housed the library and researchlabs. The greatest changes I have seen oncampus are the enormous increase in size andthe demise of the college organisation which, itseems to me, have combined to make theUniversity a much more impersonal place.

What is your fondest memory of Kent?

The first 500 undergraduates appeared inOctober and I was responsible for delivering asubstantial module on electricity and electronics –a course that was common to all physicalscientists then. Those early years are certainlyamong my fondest memories of Kent and I muchenjoyed the tutor-student relationships of that time.As a tutor I had a group of about 20 students thatwere in my care throughout their undergraduatetime and tutors were available for both academicand personal advice. I am still in contact withsome of those early students. My wife Annette andI also had the very first Kent baby, our daughterAlison, who was born in January 1965.

What do you enjoy most about yourcontinuing involvement with Kent?

I am very grateful to still have contact with thephysical sciences and undergraduate teaching.I also have had a long association with music oncampus and this continues with my membershipof the University chorus which I greatly enjoy.

What would you say is your greatestachievement?

I suppose I consider having taught physicsstudents at Kent for 50 years as one of mygreatest achievements, including supervisingsome 30 PhD research students. Another was tolead Physics as Laboratory Director (head ofdepartment) from 1982 to 1997 through a periodwhen many other universities were closingphysics courses and departments. We emergedfrom this difficult time stronger, larger and moresuccessful and it is very gratifying to see thevery strong position of the subject that nowexists at Kent. I have personally also enjoyed aresearch career in Nuclear MagneticResonance, a subject now best known throughits association with Magnetic ResonanceImaging (MRI) in medicine to whose earlydevelopment I was able to contribute.

What was your earliest ambition?

My earliest ambition was to teach – and this hasalways stayed with me. My interest in physics onlydominated at sixth form level and this lead me toread for a physics degree at London University(Queen Mary College) which I achieved in 1960.I was offered the chance to continue at QMC withsupervisor Dr J.G.Powles, then Reader in Physics,to do research into Nuclear Magnetic Resonance.This led to a PhD in 1963 followed by a post asResearch Associate at Cornell University in theUnited States.

I much enjoyed research in physics but stillwanted to teach so that combining both interestsin an academic career looked very attractive.

What led you to work at Kent?

In mid-1964 my ex-supervisor Jack Powles visitedus at Cornell and told us of his appointment to thefounding Chair of Physics at Kent. He suggested Ishould apply, which I did successfully, and arrivedto take up a lectureship in November 1964. I wasthe only lecturer at this point – each initial subjectarea (about ten) had its Professor but thesciences (only Chemistry and Physics as yet)needed a lecturer to help start set up thelaboratories ahead of undergraduate arrivals.There was also the task of recruiting the firststudents! This was a very exciting time. The ethosof the University of Kent was very strong oninterdisciplinary studies for both undergraduateand research activities and this greatly attractedme. In addition to stimulating academic activity

Founding member of staff, School of Physical Sciences Emeritus Professor of Experimental Physics

14 KENT Magazine

1 Physics graduands, 1968 (Professor John Strange,top left)

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15KENT Magazine

Alumni giving

Members of Kent’s diverse andextensive community ofsupporters, alumni, current andformer staff, students and localresidents have been making theirmark on the Canterbury campusby getting involved in theFootsteps Project.

The Project, which opened in June 2014, allowsparticipants to engrave a message or a memoryon a special commemorative brick in the newCrab & Winkle Path next to the TemplemanLibrary, which recognises the routeunderground of the famous Canterbury andWhitstable Railway.

Part of the University’s 50th anniversarycelebrations, Footsteps allows Kent’s communityto celebrate its shared history and build a legacyfor future students, staff and visitors. The Projecthas already seen 170 bricks ordered for the newpath, amounting to over £10,000 for the KentOpportunity Fund, which offers support to Kentstudents through scholarships, hardshipbursaries and project funding.

The Crab & Winkle PathThe path on which the bricks are being laid hasbeen shaped as a railway line to commemoratethe Canterbury and Whitstable Railway route(known locally as the Crab & Winkle Line), whichran under the University grounds below the path.

The Line opened in 1830, and was the first in theworld to take regular passengers and issueseason tickets.

It closed in the 1950s, with the University buildingon the grounds above the railway’s tunnel.In 1974, a section of the tunnel collapsed,causing damage to the Cornwallis building,part of which was subsequently rebuilt.

Walking in yourfootsteps...

For more information on the FootstepsProject, please visitwww.kent.ac.uk/footsteps

We were delighted to see contributions from our First 500, the original students whostarted at Kent in its inaugural year in 1965, in the first batch of bricks, which was laidin August. Now it’s your turn! Donations made before 15 December will be laid inJanuary 2015, and start from just £50 for a two line brick and £90 for a four line brick.

16 KENT Magazine

Community

We are Kent!

Take your own ‘I am Kent’ pictures byusing the sign on the back page, andsend them to 50years@kent.ac.uk alongwith your favourite memory of Kent!

Their connection to Kent has lasted, althoughtheir academic careers have taken them furtherafield; Richard has recently submitted his thesisfor PhD Computational Biology at the Universityof York, and is also currently a ResearchDevelopment Fellow at Lancaster UniversityManagement School. Laura is a Lecturer inMedical Ethics at Lancaster University MedicalSchool.

It was true Kent wedding; Laura’s ‘I am Kent’wristband was her ‘something blue’, and theyare taking part in the Footsteps Project (page 15)as a wedding present to themselves! A numberof fellow Kent alumni attended the small andintimate wedding. ‘We knew exactly who wewanted there; those who mattered to us most’said Laura. ‘It’s telling that, 14 years on, ourfriends from Kent are still in that category.’

Laura and Richard still make the journey back toCanterbury when they can: ‘We still come downregularly and stay in Rutherford College. We goto Origins, and our favourite spot is outside theLibrary, looking across to the Cathedral.

Graduation in Canterbury Cathedral was, ofcourse, an experience that none of our othergraduation ceremonies have topped.’ They hopeto gather their group of Kent alumni friends fromthe wedding at the Alumni Reunion Weekend inSeptember 2015, as they all have such a greattime together. We wish them both all thehappiness in the world!

I am Kent“I was there at the start and made lastingfriendships as well as being profoundlyinfluenced by the teaching and ethos of theUniversity.”

Claire Buckley (née Allen)Rutherford 1965

“I am Kent because of the doors it has openedfor me! I’m achieving more than I everthought I would, and I’ll never forget livingin such an inspiring location as Medway.”

Jack McDonnellMedway 2010

“Over thirty years after I left Kent I still meetup regularly with friends from that time.We have such a wealth of stories about ourtime here and many happy memories.”

Clare ManganRutherford 1979

“It’s where I made the best friends of my life,met my husband and had my first baby(during the week of my finals – he was twomonths early). I gained my degree but moreimportantly it shaped the rest of my life.Even though I wasn’t from the area and nolonger live in Kent, it will always have aspecial place in my heart.”

Jessica PeachDarwin 2002

“I am Kent because of the friends that I methere and the feeling of belonging tosomething good, which started on the dayof my interview here for an undergraduateplace in 1988.”

Jo PearsallEliot 1989

“Kent made me who I am. It opened up doorsthat I never dreamed of opening. It allowsme to be who I am today...today I am Kent!”

Isabella AurinoDarwin 2005

A true Kent wedding

Laura Machin (Darwin 2000) and Richard Williams (Rutherford 2000) were married inLancaster in August 2014. The pair met at the University of Kent’s Rowing Club’s NoviceRegatta in November 2000. Richard, a Master’s student, had rowed for his College atCambridge, but Laura was new to the sport and terrified of water. Her attempts to turnher boat round at Pluck’s Gutter – and the language which accompanied the manoeuvre– attracted quite a lot of attention, including Richard’s!

Community

A Kent family through andthrough!Fiona Macpherson (Keynes 1979) and herhusband Bill Bruty (Keynes 1979) met on thesecond day of term in October 1979, in front ofthe Keynes noticeboard. ‘Fiona and I met in astate of mild confusion, trying to figure out thetimetables draped on the wall in Keynes college’says Bill. ‘I had a blocked nose and a Vicks Sinexstuffed in the top pocket of my dungarees, andshe had the most beautiful smile.’ Six monthslater, in 1980, they decided to share a house inHerne Bay, along with four other students, andbecame a couple.

Thirty five years on, Fiona and Bill are still happilymarried, and their strong links to the Universityhave continued through their family. Theirdaughter Florence graduated from Kent threeyears ago and, alongside her course, her choiceof University was influenced by her parents’experience. ‘My course was the primary reasonfor going to Kent, but the fact that my parentsmet there and had so many good things to sayabout the University certainly influenced mydecision to choose it. I’m so glad I did.’ Fionaand Bill’s third daughter, Matilda, has nowfollowed in her older sister’s footsteps, havingregistered at the University this September.‘I decided to go to Kent because the course wasperfect, the campus and its bunnies werebeautiful, and I know how much my familymembers all loved it here!’

17KENT Magazine

But the Kent connection has not only remainedamongst their children. In July 2014, Fiona’ssister married one of the housemates, Philip Hall,who lived with her and Bill in Herne Bay duringtheir studies. ‘My sister used to visit me at Kentwhen we had our student parties, and so shemet Phil at one such event in the 1980s. They losttouch and then met up again at a small Kentreunion we had in 2007. Philip’s daughter alsostudies at Kent.’

Bill and Fiona fondly remember their time at theUniversity. Fiona’s favourite memories are theparties they held in Herne Bay:

“We had cocktail parties to rival Gatsby!The men wore dinner jackets and thewomen were dressed to the nines in eveninggowns; all purchased from charity shops.If you can have fun in Herne Bay in 1979,you can have fun anywhere!”

Aside from the great bands, parties and lectures,one of Bill’s favourite memories is the moment itdawned on the Herne Bay student householdthat they should really begin revising for theirfinals: ‘We all crammed into our friend’s appallingred Ford Escort estate and headed silentlytowards the library – caged animals. It was abeautiful spring day. We didn’t get beyond HerneVillage before we turned back, grabbed ourswimming costumes and changed course forMargate. Our first day of serious revisionconverted into beach football, arcade gamesand fish & chips. None of us got a first – butwe’ve all thrived since.’

With such strong ties with the University, it is fairto say that Fiona and Bill’s lives would’ve beenvery different had they not come to Kent. ‘If wehadn’t attended Kent, we wouldn’t be marriedwith four wonderful daughters, and my sisterwould not be as happy as she is now!’ saysFiona.

Bill adds ‘If I hadn’t been to Kent, three passionsin my life would never have ignited. That meetingalong the Keynes corridor in 1979 bonded Fionaand I together. Also, the study of ‘AfricanLiberation’, which I pursued in my first year,started my fascination for that continent which isnow a big part of my life, especially for work.My third passion – Portsmouth Football Club –pre-dates the dawn of time.’

If you would like to share your Kent storieswith us, we would love to hear from you!Please email them to alumni@kent.ac.uk.

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1 Bill and Fiona on their graduation day2 In front of the Keynes noticeboard where they first met3 Bill and Fiona’s daughter Florence (Keynes 2009) on

her graduation day in 2012

18 KENT Magazine

News from the colleges

Rutherford

The next generation of students receivea warm welcome after completing passportto learning.

On 22 October 2014, Rutherford hosted the firstevent of its kind at the University – a graduationceremony for children. The children all agedbetween 7 and 14 years had been studyingdiligently over the past year, collecting stamps intheir passports as they complete each of fivemodules. Children’s University is a nationalorganisation which promotes learning in an excitingand dynamic way. Kent Children’s University is partof Kent County Council’s School Improvementscheme and has several learning destinations.

The children were presented with their awards bythe Master of the College, Dr Peter Klappa,Reader in Biochemistry and also a NationalTeaching Fellow.

www.childrensuniversity.co.uk/cukent/home/about-us/

Lord Boateng talk in March 2015

Rutherford’s link with the English Speaking Unionwill continue with talk by prominent speaker LordPaul Boateng on Wednesday 25 March 2015 at6pm in Rutherford Lecture Theatre One.

The talk, entitled ‘Unlocking potential, the role ofhigher education in addressing the globalchallenges of growth, inequality and environmentalsustainability’, will be run in conjunction with theEnglish Speaking Union, and promises to be akey event in the Rutherford calendar.

Community

Before joining the House of Lords in 2010, LordBoateng held a range of UK Parliamentary postsas a labour party member and MP. He is abarrister and legal consultant and is also DeputyChairman and a governor of the EnglishSpeaking Union.

The talk, free and open to all (booking notrequired), will be followed by a dinner whichalumni are most welcome to book in for. For furtherdetails and to book a dinner place, please contact:the Master’s Assistant, Rutherford College,University of Kent, Canterbury, CT2 7NX Email:S.M.Casement@kent.ac.uk Tel: 01227 823175.

Eliot

Eliot Cloister Garden 50th AnniversaryProject

Eliot has received 50th anniversary funding torefurbish the Cloister Court Garden at the heartof the College. The Garden was the scene of thefamous photograph, taken in 1965, of studentsfrom the first intake posing amongst the arches.The Master’s office, in liaison with the School ofArchitecture, is running a design competitionopen to all students, inviting them to re-designthe space. The aim is for the refurbishment tobe completed by summer 2015, and there willbe an official opening during the Alumni ReunionWeekend being held 4-6 September 2015.We are looking forward to seeing the results!

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1 Children’s University students received theircertificates from Dr Peter Klappa, Master ofRutherford College

2 First 500 in the Eliot Cloisters

Eliot Chapel Refurbishment Project

Eliot Chapel is also undergoing a majorrefurbishment, in collaboration with theChaplaincy, Housekeeping, Estates and the EliotMaster’s office. The Chapel, which looks on to theCloister Court Garden, is regularly used bystudents, staff and visitors to the University. Thebrick floor has been restored and partlycarpeted, the walls have been painted, newblinds fitted, and smart new chairs purchased.The final part of the project has begun, andcarpenters are currently constructing an alterand lectern using light American Oak. Therefurbished Chapel will be a bright, welcoming,calm space, and together with the 50thanniversary project to refurbish the CloisterGarden, a significant part of the College will havebeen improved for our students, visitors and staff.

TS Eliot Memorial Lecture 2014

On Tuesday 14 October Professor Mark Forddelivered a lively, erudite and stimulating lecturetitled `O City, city’, TS Eliot and the Metropolitan’.An audience of students, staff, visitors, andhonorary members enjoyed Professor Ford’sinterpretation of Eliot’s important poem TheWaste Land, and its sources and meaning.Professor Ford spoke of the time Eliot spent inMargate, and the impact it had on the writing ofthe poem. The Memorial Lecture series began in1967 when WH Auden delivered the first one inEliot College. The series was supported by Eliot’swidow Valerie Eliot until her death in 2012.

Alumni giving

19KENT Magazine

Building firstclass facilities

A new home for JobshopThe Jobshop team have recently moved from theMandela Building to new premises next toEssentials, the main Kent Union shop on theCanterbury campus, in the space previouslyknown as Unique. The location boasts a higherfootfall, and the job opportunities are morevisible to students who can browse thevacancies in the windows, as well as online. Mostimportantly, Jobshop is now more accessible forthose seeking job related advice and help withtaking their first steps into their future career.

Jobshop are currently working more closely withthe University of Kent Careers Advisory Service,and have also introduced Jobshop Graduates, acompletely free service provided by Kent Unionfor Kent graduates who need help findingemployment in the local area. Alumni canregister with Jobshop for up to three years aftercompleting a degree.

In 2013/2014, Jobshop provided 4,108employment opportunities for students, withstudent temps working a total of 18,016 hoursand earning £111,000. Jobshop are aiming togain more opportunities in the coming year,having had a great start to the term, and hopeto improve these figures thanks to their newlocation.

Large numbers of students have alreadydropped into Jobshop during the first term of thisnew academic year, and feedback from studentshas been positive; many expressed theirgratitude for the service, which would not havebeen possible without the original funding fromour generous alumni.

Walk for Justice!The Kent Law Campaign is an exciting £5 millionproject to build a new home for the Kent LawClinic, which provides free legal advice and

representation to members of the localcommunity who need but cannot afford accessto legal services, and the University of Kent’sMooting Programme. Law students will have theopportunity to practice their skills within aprofessional environment, whilst also assistingmembers of the local community.

The Campaign will be taking part in theCanterbury Legal Walk on Saturday 13 June 2015and hope to raise £25,000 for the new Kent LawClinic. The Walk will build on the successful andwell-established annual London Legal Walk,which has raised significant funds for access tojustice and has been enjoyed by thousands ofparticipants including The Lord Chief Justice andsenior members of the judiciary.

These walks are unique events, bringing togetherthe entire legal profession and members of thelocal community who wish to get involved insupporting access to justice for those most inneed. The University would like to thank TheLondon Legal Support Trust, The Law Societyand The Access to Justice Foundation forhelping us make this event possible.

To find out more about this event, to register totake part or to offer your support as a marshalor by sponsoring various items for the eventplease visit www.kent.ac.uk/lawcampaign orcontact Anna Pollard, Campaigns Manager on01227 824670 or at A.J.Pollard@kent.ac.uk

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1 Jobshop’s new premises2 Jobshop provides career opportunities and advice

to Kent students3 Legal Walk in aid of the Kent Law Campaign

In a difficult economic climate, Kent continuously strives to improve theemployability prospects of its students by giving them the opportunity todevelop their skills within a first class learning environment. Kent Union’sJobshop, which offers job opportunities and vital careers advice to Kentstudents, has recently moved to new premises and work on the Wigoder LawBuilding and Kennedy Wong Mooting Chamber will soon become reality,thanks to the Kent Law Campaign. Both of these ventures have been, andcontinue to be, supported by our alumni.

20 KENT Magazine

Community

Kent UnionOur new officers are geared up for their first termin post. The 2014-15 elected officers are:• Union President – Tammy Naidoo• Vice-President (Welfare) – Megan Wells• Vice-President (Education) – Jack Lay• Vice-President (Activities) – Tom Currie• Vice-President (Sports) – Nina Mehmi

Despite having only worked within the Union fora matter of months, they already have a numberof significant wins under their belts.

This includes a 24 hour bus service after yearsof lobbying. The new service will run until 05.00,and will take a unique night route that coversSt Stephen’s Hill, Forty Acres Road andSt Dunstan’s areas. The Templeman Library willnow open 24 hours from 24 November throughoutterm-time. The stripes scheme has beenimplemented – Sports and Society Stripes are areward and recognition scheme. Student groupsnow have the opportunity to earn the Base Stripe,Inclusion Stripe, Development Stripe,Management Stripe and Community Stripe.Additional stage, meeting and practical space hasalso been secured for student groups.

We are enjoying celebrating the University’s 50thanniversary, and we have a number of eventsplanned as part of the celebrations, one of whichwe hope will go down in history! Stay tuned tofind out which world record we will be attemptingto break.

www.facebook.com/unionkent orwww.twitter.com/kentunion.

News from Kent Union

Kent Sport

The Ultimate Karate Fighters Boot Camp

This summer has seen the inaugural UltimateKarate Fighters Boot Camp hosted by Kent Sportand Wayne Otto, OBE. Wayne Otto is a Kentalumnus and Britain’s most successful karateathlete. The Boot Camp was a great success,with over 100 participants coming from acrossthe world to train and is now an annual event.

www.kent.ac.uk/sports/karatecamp

Kent’s Sporting Legends

On Friday 5 December 2014, Kent Sport, alongwith Kent County Council, will host a very specialevening celebrating Kent’s Sporting Legends.This includes members of the University whohave represented England or Team GB, KentSport scholarship recipients, many of whomhave gone on to gain international honours, andthe county’s top sports achievers involved in theWinter Olympics, the Paralympics and theCommonwealth Games.

After a successful event in 2012, we are excitedto hold this event again as a part of the 50thanniversary celebrations. We will be transformingthe main sports hall into an impressive scene,featuring entertainment and presentations inpraise of Kent’s most successful sportspeople.

www.kent.ac.uk/sports/kentsportinglegends

Project 100

The Kent’s Sporting Legends event will see theofficial launch of a new initiative called Project100, which is about building on the last 50 yearsof sport at Kent and looking to support the next50 by enhancing student experience anddeveloping facilities.

www.kent.ac.uk/sports/p100

1 Kent Union Officers2 Kent Sport – Karate Boot Camp3 Project 100

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We have recently introduced NUS cardsfor alumni! If you would like to takeadvantage of the amazing discount cardplease email kentunion@kent.ac.uk. Thecard is £12 for one year and boasts over170 discounts across different stores.

21KENT Magazine

Alumni profile

Tom Currie

What advice would you give a newstudent at Kent?

Get involved in extra-curricular activities.University is a fantastic opportunity; if there’sone regret I always hear from leaving students,it’s that they never got involved and have nothingthat makes them stand out in the job interview.

What is your favourite memory of Kent?

Setting up the Charity Item Collection Drive hereat Kent was a fantastic experience. I set updonation points for final year students to leaveitems such as food, clothing and cookingutensils, etc. I then sorted these items anddonated them to local charities such as theCanterbury Food Bank, Catching Lives and KentDog’s Trust. In addition to helping local charities,the scheme also helped reduced the amount ofitems that were thrown away by students.

Would you recommend Kent toprospective students? Why?

Yes! What I loved about Kent was that they arealways willing to give students a chance;whether that’s funding for a project, support toset up your own student group or just helpingyou get on the job ladder by giving you a part-time job. One of the most frustrating things aboutthe current job market is that most employers willonly give you a job if you have experience butthe only way to get experience is to get job so it’sa refreshing change to come somewhere likeKent and have experience readily available.

Who or what inspires you?

I’ve never really been one for role models, Ibelieve everyone has greatness within them sowhy can’t you inspire yourself? With regards toqualities, I suppose hard work, passion and acan-do attitude are pretty inspiring.

Which country would you most like tovisit?

I would definitely like to visit Finland when I getthe chance, though preferably when it’s warmand not when they have six months of perpetualdarkness.

What would be your perfect day?

Probably a Garfield day and have absolutelynothing to do.

What is your greatest achievement?

Winning Kent’s Student of the Year Award,without a doubt one of the best nights of my life.

Why did you decide to study at Kent?

I always wanted to attend a uni in my local areaand given Kent was only an hour from my houseit made it a strong contender. The fact it was alsoin the top twenty made it a no brainer!

What was your earliest ambition?

When I was a child I loved Thomas the TankEngine so naturally I wanted to be a train.

How has your experience at Kent helpedyou since graduation?

Well I only graduated less than three months agoso it’s hard to say but I feel my time at Kent hasdramatically improved my confidence and skillset. It’s also given me a wealth of experienceand has definitely given me more than “well I didthis thing called a degree” in the job interview.

What’s the best piece of advice you’veever been given?

I often use a quote from the film Catch Me If YouCan: ‘Two little mice fell in a bucket of cream.The first mouse quickly gave up and drowned.The second mouse, wouldn’t quit. He struggledso hard that eventually he churned that creaminto butter and crawled out. Gentlemen, as ofthis moment, I am that second mouse.’

Eliot 2011, BA (Hons) HistoryKent Union Activities Sabbatical Officer

Join us!

Community

Every day, Kent alumni aroundthe globe are busy makinga difference to the Kentcommunity, giving their time,their skills and their enthusiasmto support current students,fellow alumni and staff, andhaving a fantastic time whilethey do! Here, we tell you howyou too can get involved, makea difference and gain valuablenew experiences...

Spread the wordThanks to an amazing group of alumniambassadors, who give their time and energyto join us at events all over the world,prospective Kent students have the chance tofind out all about the University from someonewho has directly experienced life at Kent. Beingable to ask questions to someone who hasbeen there and understands the challengesand benefits of studying abroad is absolutelyinvaluable, and those alumni who lend theirsupport to the University in this way make anenormous difference.

Support career developmentThe Careers and Employability Service launchedthe Kent Experiences of Work Network (KEW-NET) in September 2014 to connect alumni fromall over the world with students and each otherfor mentoring and career support. The e-mentoring software is hassle-free and intuitive,creating a safe and user-friendly platform foralumni to engage with each other, students,academics and other industry professionals.

Anyone using the network can be both mentorand mentee, allowing alumni to mentor studentswhilst being supported themselves by otherprofessionals. As people who have ‘been there’and ‘done that’, the experience gained from ouralumni in the job market is invaluable to thosestudents at the start of their chosen career path.

You can find out more about this service andhow to sign up on our website, or contact us onalumni@kent.ac.uk for more details.

Connecting peopleWith over 142,000 alumni in nearly 185 countriesaround the world, the Kent community is a trulyglobal one. Thanks to the efforts of ourdedicated volunteers, we have establishedalumni associations in Malaysia, America andHong Kong and have recently set up Chapters inNew York, Boston, Washington DC, and Chicago.

One such volunteer is Jaime Blakesley (Eliot2000), who is Acting Chair of our ChicagoChapter in the USA. Thanks to the efforts ofpeople like Jaime, Kent alumni have fantasticopportunities to meet other former students intheir local area, network with other professionalsworking within their fields, and share theirexperiences of University life.

There are also a range of alumni groups cateringto different sections of the alumni community,including those with particular interests. We havea very active Former Staff Association and manyof the First 500 (the University’s firstundergraduates from 1965) remain closelyconnected with Kent and each other to this day!

If you’d like to get involved in a group near you,or set one up if one has not yet been establishedin your area, please get in touch!

1 Alumna Linda Chee (Darwin 2013) assisting HazelLander from International Development at an eventin the USA

2 Alumni and student networking event, November 20143 Inauguration of the Chicago Chapter, October 2014

To find out how you can become involvedwith any of these exciting initiatives, visitwww.kent.ac.uk/alumni/getinvolved oremail us at alumni@kent.ac.uk

22 KENT Magazine

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23KENT Magazine

In memoriam

Since the last issue of KENT went to press,the University has learned of the deaths ofthe following alumni, honorary graduates andformer staff.

If you would like to be put in touch with thefamilies or friends of anyone listed here pleaselet us know – we may be able to help.

Andrew Ansell (Darwin, 1979)Susan Bannochie (Eliot, 1997)Frederique Bigou (Eliot, 1992)Virginnia Burfield (Rutherford, 1976)Rudo Chinyandura (Eliot, 2004)Helen Davis (Former staff)Kenneth Perry (Darwin, 1977)Dave Reason (Former staff)Lee Rosenthal (Rutherford, 1991)Sir Donald Sinden (Honorary Graduate, 2011)Lady Mary Soames (Honorary Graduate, 1997)

Community

His work on Wittgenstein included a book, Clearand Queer Thinking: Wittgenstein’s Developmentand His Relevance to Modern Thought, and aplay (1999) that mischievously re-createdWittgenstein’s PhD viva. He also co-authored atext ‘Logic’ on the philosophy of logic and wasadvisory editor for the 2005 Monist issue on the‘Philosophy of Humor’. He designed apparatusfor teaching syllogistic to blind students and,using similar principles, wrote a series of texts forteaching English to Chinese children.

Laurence joined the University in 2005, and waspromoted to Professor in 2006. He served for sixyears as Head of SECL, and was also ActingDean of the Faculty of Humanities for a term.Before coming to Kent, he spent many years atthe University of Hong Kong, as well asspending time teaching at the Universities ofAuckland, Cape Town, Glasgow, St. Andrews,Swansea, and Washington. Laurence was muchadmired as Head of SECL, and was a constantsource of encouragement to his colleagues. Hewas also, as many would attest, a ready wit anda lover of jokes.

He will be very sorely missed.

Dr Utrick Henry Burton (Sandy) Alexander1916-2014

Dr Sandy Alexander, a long-term supporter,governor and friend of the University of Kent,passed away on 11 July 2014. He joined theUniversity Council in 1974 as a lay member andwas the University’s Treasurer from 1977 until1992. He was awarded an honorary Doctor ofCivil Law in 1982.

Sandy Alexander trained and qualified as alawyer in July 1939. Qualification was followed bydistinguished service in the Second World Warmarked by being mentioned in despatches ontwo occasions and the award of an MBE and aCroix de Guerre avec Palme.

ObituariesProfessor Laurence Goldstein

It is with great sadness that we report thatProfessor Laurence Goldstein (Philosophy,SECL) passed away peacefully in his sleep onMonday 19 May. He was 67.

Laurence Goldstein was one of the country’sleading philosophers, working mainly in the areaof paradoxes, the philosophy of logic andlanguage and the philosophy of Wittgenstein.He also worked with philosophers, linguists andcognitive scientists to try to show thatinvestigating how people achieve brevity inconversation is a fascinating topic and providesa great route to understanding the working of thebrain. Laurence’s many publications on paradoxincluded ‘Fibonacci, Yablo and the CassationistApproach to Paradox’, and ‘To Let: UnsuccessfulStipulation, Bad Proof and Paradox’.

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1 Professor Laurence Goldstein

Dr Alexander was known for his benign, civilisedand relaxed ways and it was these qualitiestogether with his practical good sense andunderstanding of the local community that led tohis invitation to join the University Council in 1974.When he was offered the role of Treasurer in 1977the funding of universities was already subject topressure unprecedented since World War II.Great challenges were ahead. In 1981 there wasan immediate cut of 11% in funding with theprospect of a total cut of 15% over four years.Budgets and staff numbers, including for the firsttime academic staff, had to be reduced. Seriousfinancial concerns continued throughout the restof Sandy Alexander’s period of office withpressure on Government funding and inflation.Yet at the end of the period, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Graham Martin, reflectedthat through careful management the impact hadnot been as great at Kent as at other places and:‘painful though the whole process was... we cannow claim to be leaner and fitter, and to that extentbetter able to face the coming years.’

Despite the difficulties, the University madesignificant progress while Sandy was Treasurer.Significant academic developments included thecreation of the Business School followed byapproval for a building in 1991. Sandy took a keeninterest in the creation of the Durrell Institute forConservation and Ecology and a substantialendowment for a chair in BiodiversityManagement followed.

But while Dr Alexander played a vital rolethroughout his 15 years as Treasurer, to theprincipal University officers of that time he wasmuch more. Sandy’s unfailing help and support,both in policy matters and in many day-to-daypractical exigencies, were immensely valued byall those with whom he came in contact at theUniversity.