175 years of Cov University
CALLING all Cov alumni! Coventry University is celebrating its 175th year in the city – and we want to hear your memories.
Do you recall the uni as the Coventry College of Art? Perhaps you know it better as the Lanchester or Coventry Poly?
Whether you were a student, teacher or resident, we’d love to hear from you to help build a picture of the university’s past. Perhaps you can share old photographs or stories from your days on campus?
Did you meet your future spouse during your studies? Maybe you settled here from elsewhere – and now your children have followed in your footsteps?
What were your favourite haunts and pubs? Do you remember going to any particular gigs or shows?
First founded in 1843, the Coventry University began life as Coventry College of Design. In 1970, the Coventry College of Art amalgamated with the Lanchester College of Technology and Rugby College of Engineering Technology to form Lanchester Polytechnic – after Fred Lanchester, the automotive industry pioneer.
It then became Coventry Polytechnic in 1987 and in 1992 was granted university status.
Vice chancellor John Latham said: “We want everybody to join us as we mark our creation by industrialists and entrepreneurs, and celebrate how that spirit endures today.
“Our institution has changed names over the decades but we have always been an institution of the city, for the city and that is something which we are very proud of.
“Our students and staff have contributed so much to the rise of the phoenix city, and we are looking to do even more to give back and invest in Coventry for the next 175 years – through the UK City of Culture 2021 and beyond.”
There will be further birthday celebrations on Saturday, September 22, with a Community Open Day taking place at University Square from noon to 4pm. Visitors will have the opportunity to experience for free lots of exciting family activities while seeing what goes on in and around the university. Start the tour at the University Visitors Stand in University Square, where you will be given a map and full details of all the activities you can get involved in.
Get involved and share your memories using the hashtag #175Coventry on social media, or visit coventry.ac.uk/theuniversity/175-celebrations for more information.
We’d love to publish your memories and pictures. Email letters@ coventrytelegraph.net or write to the address on the letters page.