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2 History
2.5 Origins
3 Notable Alumni2.6 The Loughborough Colleges 2.7 The Influence of Herbert Schofield 2.8 From College to University 2.9 Later History |
The University has 24 academic departments and over 30 research institutes, divided between three faculties: Science, Engineering and Social Science and Humanities. It has approximately 13,000 students, 88% of whom are undergraduates and 12% are pursuing postgraduate courses and/or research. The Its current Chancellor is Sir Dennis Rooke, and its Vice-Chancellor is Professor David Wallace CBE.
University's main campus is in the Leicestershire town of Loughborough and until 2003 it was developing a secondary campus at Peterborough. The Loughborough campus (once the estate of Burleigh manor) covers 200 acres, and includes academic departments, halls of residence, gardens and playing fields. Of particular interest are the beautiful walled garden, the "garden of remembrance", the "Rig-Rut" fountain-courtyard (pictured above) and the Bastard Gates. In the central quadrangle of the campus stands the famous cedar, which has often appeared as a symbol for the University. Unfortunately a heavy snowfall in December 1990 led to the collapse of the upper canopy which gave the tree its distinctive shape.
The official colour of the University is purple. The coat of arms incorporates several symbols relevant to the history of the Loughborough area, including Offa's cross (a symbol of the ancient kingdom of Mercia, within whose borders the town now stands) and the peacock from the arms of the Dukes of Rutland. The motto of the University is Veritate Scientia Labore (with truth, wisdom and labour).
The University has a strong sporting tradition, and is a centre of excellence in the field of sports science. It has graduated a number of world-class athletes including Paula Radcliffe and Sebastian Coe. Sports students are entitled to wear a different style of scarf from other undergraduates. The university is the home of the England and Wales Cricket Board's National Academy, opened in November 2003.
The phonetic spelling "Lufbra" is sometimes used amongst students, graduates, and in Students' Union publications.
The Union is unusual (if not unique) in English universities, in that its premises are owned by the students themselves. Students of the other Higher Education colleges in Loughborough are also considered members of this Union.
The University traces its history back to 1909, with the founding of the Loughborough Technical Institute. In the early years, efforts were made to mimic the environment of an Oxbridge college (e.g. requiring students to wear gowns to lectures) whilst maintaining a strong practical counterbalance to academic learning. During World War I, the Institute served as an "Instructional Factory", training of workers for the munitions industry.
Following the war, the Institute fragmented into four separate colleges:
Schofield became principal in 1915 and continued to lead the College of Technology until 1950. Over his years as principal, the college changed almost beyond recognition. He purchased the estate of Burleigh Manor on the western outskirts of the town, which became the nucleus of the present 200 acre campus. He also oversaw the building of the beautiful Hazelrig and Rutland halls of residence. The strong sporting tradition all developed under Schofield's influence.
In 1963, the Robbins Report on higher education recommended that all Colleges of Advanced Technology should be given the status of universities. Consequently, in 1966 Loughborough College of Technology was granted the Royal Charter and became Loughborough University of Technology. It gradually remodelled itself in the image of the New Universities of the period, which had also been created under Robbins.
In 1977, Loughborough Training College (now renamed Loughborough College of Education) was absorbed into the University. The Arts College was also amalgamated with the University in 1998. These additions have diluted technological flavour of the institution, causing it to resemble more a traditional university with its mix of humanities, arts and sciences. Consequently in 1996, the University dropped the "of Technology" from its title, becoming "Loughborough University", a step much applauded by its non-technological members.
The University Today
General Profile
The Campus
Traditions
The Students' Union
History
Origins
The Loughborough Colleges
The latter was to become the nucleus of the present university. Its rapid expansion from a small provincial college to a world famous seat of learning was due largely to the efforts of its dynamic principal Dr. Herbert Schofield (1882-1963).The Influence of Herbert Schofield
From College to University
Later History
Notable Alumni