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House of Lords; Class of '77 Reunion;
Senior Directors' Forum; Education Reunion
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WHAT DID YOU MISS? |
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Contact us at e-network@warwick.ac.uk if you would like to send a report on an alumni event for the next issue.
Don't forget to check out the new WGA website for more photos. |
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HOUSE OF LORDS RECEPTION |
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| Eleanor Shanks (Law 1999-02) reports:
'The WGA has begun what is hoped will become an annual tradition with a Summer Reception at the House of Lords in June. Warwick graduates and staff of all ages (from 22 to 80-something) enjoyed drinks and canapés at a lively event on the terrace of the House of Lords as the guests of Lord Harrison (English and American Literature 1967-70) and the Vice-Chancellor, Professor David VandeLinde. The actual hosts became Lord Skidelsky (Warwick's leading economist) and Professor Stuart Palmer (Deputy Vice-Chancellor) due to various ailments.
Also in attendance was Lord 'Jack' Butterworth, Warwick's first Vice-Chancellor, who sadly died on 19 June 2003. As Vice-Chancellor he shaped Warwick into something really special and is, in no small way, responsible for the success that the University enjoys today. At this special event, only two weeks before his death, he was on top form and was heckling Lord Skidelsky, who was lauding the attributes of the crossbenchers in the Lords. He will be greatly missed.
Far from being a stuffy or stilted affair, at the end of the evening we were more or less removed by the House of Lords staff as we were outstaying our booking, if not our welcome. It was an excellent evening characterised by many interesting conversations and much merriment. All the attendees seemed to enjoy it very much. I hope that we can look forward to many future events at this very beautiful and prestigious venue.' |
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CLASS OF '77 RETURN FOR 25th ANNIVERSARY REUNION |
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Frank Devine (Politics and Sociology 1977-80) reports on the reunion with 'A Personal Note' :
'As I walked up the steps from The Airport Lounge my heart and mind thumped with mixed emotions:
• Excitement ('It will be amazing to see 'X' after 25 years'), disappointment ('What a pity 'Y' is not here') and appreciation ('Ruth has travelled 4000 miles to be here').
• Curiosity ('Will everyone have changed or will some be just the same…… only older?').
• Self-doubt ('How will this go?').
On my way out the emotions were different: I was so glad I'd made the effort and was back in contact with some great human beings.
My group of friends concluded that it was a pity all of us didn't make it. We wondered why some did not come and agreed that factors such as job and appearance should not have, but probably did, prevent some fine people meeting up with those who had mattered to them.'
DID YOU HAVE A GREAT TIME COMING BACK? BE PART OF WARWICK'S FUTURE
On the evening you all helped to raise money for the Class of 1977 Scholarships. We are still taking donations for this Fund to create more scholarships for students entering Warwick this autumn. If you would like to make a donation click HERE.
Class of 78 unite! You have nothing to lose but your usual weekend routine, don't miss your reunion next year on 8 May 2004. |
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SECOND SENIOR DIRECTORS' FORUM |
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Following the success of the first, invitation-only, Senior Directors' Forum in February, we were delighted to welcome Sir Nick Scheele, the Chief Operating Officer and President of Automotive Operations for Ford Motor Company and former Chairman and Chief Executive of Jaguar Cars Ltd, as the speaker for the second Senior Directors' Forum at the Commonwealth Club in central London in June.
He gave a fascinating talk to 30 high-ranking Warwick graduates, including CEOs, MDs, Finance Officers and other business leaders, on change processes at Jaguar, giving a rare insider's insight into Jaguar's turnaround from the perspective of product quality, manufacturing processes and profitability. He emphasised how the engagement and empowerment of employees and the development of processes to solicit and embrace their ideas was central to the successful transformation of the company.
After questions, the debate on managing effective organisational change transferred to smaller round-table groups and lively discussion continued over a delicious dinner with many ideas and experiences being exchanged.
The next Forum, due to be with an academic speaker, is scheduled for November. |
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EDUCATION REUNION |
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| Juliet Amery (CertEd 1955-57) writes:
'It was a beautiful summer's day when 37 former students and staff met at Westwood for the annual Education Reunion. Visitors, including Jane, daughter of 'Dickie T and 'Mrs T, the Shop, assembled in the Westwood Restaurant for morning coffee. Later they were transported in University minibuses onto the main campus for a short recital given by the current BA (leading to the award of QTS) Music students. The varied programme included both choral and instrumental performances, all of a high quality.
Back at Westwood a buffet lunch was enjoyed, friendships were rekindled and new ones made. Later Tess Robinson, Alumni Officer, introduced the guest speaker, Professor Deborah Eyre, Director of the National Academy for Gifted and Talented Youth (NAGTY) which is based at Warwick. Professor Eyre gave an enthralling presentation outlining the development of the Academy during the first year. Questions outlasted the planned allocation of time. Both Miss J. D. Browne, former Principal of the City of Coventry Training College/College of Education, and Professor Gordon Lawrence, her successor, added to the lively discussion. So interesting was Professor Eyre's presentation that the idea to invite her back again next year is being considered!' |
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EVENTS ORGANISED BY ALUMNI |
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| Find out about events featuring alumni or organised by societies by clicking HERE. In this issue read about Top Banana London and the Canley Class of '64 Reunion. |
Please click on the link below
if you would like to find out more
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