Birkbeck celebrates Foundation Day
Staff, supporters and friends of Birkbeck came together last week to mark Foundation Day, celebrated as close to or on 2nd December each year, the date of the College’s foundation in 1823.
Staff, supporters and friends of Birkbeck came together last week to mark Foundation Day, celebrated as close to or on 2nd December each year, the date of the College’s foundation in 1823.
The celebration this year was hosted by the Master, Professor David Latchman, and attended by people drawn from across the College community. Prominent guests included President of the College, Baroness Bakewell, as well as Dame Julia Goodfellow, President of UUK and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kent who spent 20 years of her career at Birkbeck, both as Vice-Master and as a Professor of Biomolecular Science.
The planned speaker the Rt. Hon. John Bercow MP who – as Speaker of the House of Commons – was required to be present on the parliamentary debate on action in Syria, was replaced by Baroness Bakewell who spoke about the changing nature of free speech at universities and its continued importance as a fundamental value in higher education.
Speaking after the Dinner, Professor David Latchman, Master of Birkbeck, said:
“Since our foundation we have stayed true, even nearly 200 years on, to George Birkbeck’s original vision of an institution which enables anyone, from any background, to achieve a university level qualification.
“It is right that we take time each year to reflect on our furtherance of this vision over the last year, and to look forward – as a new year approaches – at how Birkbeck will adapt and rise to the challenge of continuing to make a full contribution to the life of London and the education of its people.”
In written remarks made on the day of the dinner, the Rt. Hon. John Bercow MP, Speaker of the House of Commons, added:
“Let me reiterate my huge regard for Birkbeck – its ethos, achievements and innovation. I have huge admiration for the model of education the college provides, a model which enables exceptionally diligent people to acquire a degree through concerted evening study. Birkbeck has a very special place in higher education which I trust will be developed long into the future.”
View a selection of photos from the evening.