Lord Coe officially installed as University chancellor
OLYMPIC legend Lord Sebastian Coe has been officially installed as chancellor of Loughborough University at its first graduation ceremony of the summer.
It was announced in March that Lord Coe would be replacing Sir Nigel Rudd as the university’s sixth chancellor, but he was only officially installed at the graduation ceremony on Tuesday, July 18.
Lord Coe’s role as the chancellor means that he is the chief ambassador of the university, and presides over ceremonial functions and confers degrees on graduates.
Professor Robert Allison, vice-chancellor of Loughborough University, said: “Today is a great day for the university.
“What’s very significant is that Seb is one of our own. He is a Loughborough graduate and has gone on to achieve world class recognition for the contributions he has made both as a sportsmen, and for the country for example with the London 2012 Olympics.
“We can all be very proud that Seb is now officially chancellor at Loughborough.
“Everyone is in a great mood, and the university looks immaculate and everyone is in a really happy mood and that’s what graduations are all about.”
Lord Coe said: “I’m very proud to say I am now officially chancellor of Loughborough University and equally flattered that I was asked to hold the position.
“Today has to be one of the proudest days of my life, and I said earlier to students that we are all emotionally anchored amongst our families, friends and where we were born and I add university to that. Everything I went on to do I believe was shaped here, both on and off the track.
“I’d love to be able to tell you about my graduation but I was racing in Oslo so I never got to formally graduate - but I think my certificate was sent out in the post.”