Foundation Day

As a Hall Warden, I enjoy leading a contingent of residents to Senate House on Foundation Day. Before we leave Connaught Hall, those of us attending the ceremony get together for a special meal and a drink then walk across to Senate House as a group. The residents who request tickets are always a diverse bunch and the evening is therefore a time when they socialise with a completely different group from usual.

At the presentation ceremony, we learn about the extraordinary and often inspiring lives of the graduands. But it is the reception afterwards that is really special for the students: the excitement is palpable when the Chancellor is approaching our group, yet everyone says afterwards how much Her Royal Highness put them at ease and was so interested in what they had to say. For most student residents, both home and international, this is a once-in-a-lifetime event; many can hardly wait until the official photographs are available to buy online!

Everyone who attends loves the excuse to dress up and look their best; we meet people we might otherwise never talk to; and the presence of the Chancellor makes it an evening the students remember forever.

Foundation Day 2010

I have a limited number of tickets for Connaught Hall residents to attend Foundation Day 2010 at Senate House on 25 November. The Chancellor of the University of London, HRH The Princess Royal, will preside over this flagship event to which students, staff and those with long-standing connections to the University are invited.

A special dinner will be held in the dining hall at Connaught Hall so all those attending can eat together at high table and then depart for Senate House as a group.

The following eminent individuals have already confirmed their acceptance to receive an Honorary Degree from the University:

• HE Luisa Dias Diogo, former president of Mozambique – Doctor of Science (Economics)
• Mary Quant OBE, fashion designer – Doctor of Literature
• Archbishop of York Dr John Sentamu – Doctor of Divinity
• Anne Stevenson, poet and writer – Doctor of Literature

Hall residents who want to attend Foundation Day should complete the online form at tickets.connaught-hall.org.uk before 10 October. Please do not sign up if you think you might not actually attend, as you will be taking a ticket from someone else who might really want to go.

The dress code is lounge suit or smart day dress/academic robes.

The poster advertising Foundation Day at Connaught Hall can be viewed here.

Background: Foundation Day is the annual celebration of the grant of the Royal Charter to the University of London. Held in the evening at Senate House, the event begins with the presentation of honorary degrees to a number of public figures by the Chancellor of the University of London, H.R.H. The Princess Royal. Following the honorary degree ceremony, there is a reception where Her Royal Highness likes to meet many of the students present.