Nottingham in November
23 November 2012
Just a quick update as I sit in bed after a wonderful meal at NTU to help celebrate the achievements of all those preparing for tomorrow's graduation ceremonies.
It strikes me, every time I come here, just what has been achieved. Under the leadership of our Vice Chancellor, NTU has become a top rated, top class centre of education. It has also transformed its buildings - a meal in the Old Chemistry Theatre is enough to rival any similar occasion at a 'red brick' university.
All this change is of course ultimately for the benefit of our students and as the Vice Chancellor said tonight, any graduation ceremony is a highlight for staff - to see the moment when people take that 20 second walk across the stage and to have their private moment of glory watched on by loving family and friends. I'm sure we all remember it well.
It is also great that through our Alumnus of the Year, Matt Wallace, we can also celebrate the sense of citizenship that NTU instils in people. He told me tonight that his 'Where's Wallace?' campaign has now raised £25,000 for Cancer Research UK.
For those of you who graduated a good few years ago, I urge you to come back and be part of Nottingham again. The city has changed tremendously, even since my day, but to come for a short break and remember your time here will renew the excitement you felt as an undergraduate, when life and all of its expectations and possibilities lay before you. It's somehow sad to know that time has passed, but also wonderful to feel that excitement again and to see it in the young people following in our footsteps.
It will also, hopefully, remind you that you're always a part of the NTU family and will always be welcome here.
On that note I must go to sleep. A long day of graduations and manning the alumni goodie-bag stand tomorrow - and I can't wait to get stuck in!
With all best wishes from a beautiful Nottingham.
Stephen