A brief history of progress and innovation
On
April 19th 1966, Sir George Coldstream, Clerk of the Crown in Chancery,
acting on behalf of and according to the instructions, of her Majesty
the Queen, signed the Royal Charter creating Loughborough
University of Technology later to be known as Loughborough
University. This accreditation
recognised how far the University had developed from its days as
a Technical Institute in 1909 and rewarded the achievements of the
predecessor Colleges who had provided such an excellent foundation
from which the new University could flourish. The
University's
complex development is illustrated in the 'family tree' below:
The royal charter |
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The main building of Loughborough Technical Institute on the
corner of Ashby Road & Green Close |
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A map dated 1895 showing the centre of Loughborough and the area
just to the west of the A6 |
The Loughborough University Family Tree
Herbert Schofield, aged 35, in his office in Green Close Lane,
May 1918 |
The
University began life as the Loughborough Technical Institute,
established by Leicestershire County Council in 1909 to provide local
facilities for further education. That today’s University
has developed into such an internationally respected institution
is largely due to the entrepreneurial vision and determination of
Dr Herbert Schofield, Principal of the College for 35 years (from
1915-1950).
To support the war effort during the First World War, Dr Schofield
remodelled the Institute as an 'Instructional Factory' for
the Ministry of Munitions. In addition to normal teaching,
the College trained over 2000 men and women 'on production'
for the munitions industry, making shell cases and machine parts
in the College workshops. This is the best early example of
the Loughborough tradition of providing teaching, and later research,
that has relevance to industry, a tradition that we are still building
on today.
Women trainees assembling aircraft wings in a hall in Orchard
Street, just Off Green Close Lane |
Between the wars Loughborough College (as it was renamed
in 1920) expanded, attracting students from all over the world. It
widened its reputation beyond engineering to athletics, handicrafts
and teacher training. In 1951-52 the College was divided into
four separate institutions reflecting its main areas of interest. Loughborough
Training College (later Loughborough College of Education) provided
teaching training; Loughborough College of Art taught art and design;
Loughborough College of Further Education (now Loughborough College)
offered local and vocational training; and Loughborough College of
Technology continued courses in science and engineering.
The College of Technology continued to train ‘on production’ and
by sandwich courses and in 1957 was designated a College of Advanced
Technology. In 1966 in recognition of its outstanding educational
standards it was granted University status and received a Royal Charter
as Loughborough University of Technology. In 1977
the original structure was partly restored when the University and
the College of Education were amalgamated and later still in 1998
the College of Art and Design rejoined the University. In 1996
the University adopted the simpler title of Loughborough University to
reflect its now broad based curriculum and research portfolio.
Today the University is a thriving institution with nearly 15,000
students, just under 3,000 staff and research income of nearly £29M
per annum. Thanks to the vision of its early leaders the University’s
campus has grown to over 433 acres.
The people who made us great
Over years the fortunes of the University have been
advanced by a succession of inspirational leaders. They would
be the first to say that they could not have done it without the
support and dedication of the thousands of staff who contributed
to the University’s success, many of whom brought their experience
from the predecessor Colleges. It is impossible to detail all
who have supported the University over the years but here is a brief
overview of the Chancellors and Vice-Chancellors who provided such
strong leadership in this period of rapid growth.
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