Harper Adams University has celebrated a landmark moment alongside its Chancellor, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal - joined by guests from across the industries the University serves, as well as students, alumni and past and present employees.
Her Royal Highness was the guest of honour at an event at the University’s Edgmond campus, held exactly 125 years since the institution welcomed its first students in 1901.
The Foundation Day launch celebration on Thursday, September 24, included a series of presentations marking the institution’s past, present and future.
Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ken Sloan said: “125 years is a significant milestone in the life of any institution, and I am delighted that we were able to welcome Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, students, alumni, partners, employees, dignitaries from across Shropshire and beyond and many more to celebrate with us.
“This event, a special student and employee conference the following day with further special guests - followed by a party in the afternoon - and our fabulous graduation ceremony the previous week, have given us a suitably fitting start to our 125th anniversary celebrations.”
On arrival, Her Royal Highness viewed a newly restored portrait of her grandmother, the late Her Majesty The Queen Mother, which was presented when she officially opened the Queen Mother Hall and dining room in 1963.
On Thursday, 63 years later, The Chancellor unveiled a plaque renaming the university’s iconic founding building.
Professor Sloan told guests: “After 125 years we have decided that it is time for Harper Adams’ original 'main' building to be given a name which honours the legacy of our founder, Thomas Harper Adams. From this point onwards, the iconic building of 1901 will be renamed Foundation House.”
The celebrations including a series of presentations honouring individuals.
Actress Felicity Finch – who plays Ruth Archer on The Archers, BBC Radio Four’s much-loved rural drama – received an Honorary Degree in recognition of her outstanding contribution to broadcasting and her enduring commitment to promoting agriculture and rural life. Her character first appeared in the series in 1987 - as a student at Harper Adams University.
Professor Sloan was joined by his predecessors Professor Wynne Jones OBE and Dr David Llewellyn CBE, as well as the family of the late Principal Dr Tony Harris CBE, at the event. The three most recent leaders of the institution each also reflected upon their time at Harper Adams, and lessons for its future.
Professor Jones and Dr Llewellyn were bestowed with the titles of emeritus Principal and emeritus Vice-Chancellor, with Dr Harris receiving a posthumous award.
A group of alumni who became household names as part of the Hawkstone Farmers’ Choir - this year’s Britain’s Got Talent winners – looked back at their win, talked about how important championing farmers’ mental health has been to the choir, and looked forward to their future plans.
The choir guests received the first of 125 alumni awards to be bestowed over the 16-month celebration period.
Guests heard about impactful “Green Brick” research projects Harper Adams has been involved in – some of which can be seen at harper.ac.uk/125 - and had the opportunity to speak with the academics behind them.
Professor Sloan added: “We have worked with staff and students from Rose Bruford College to create an audiovisual work which was shared with Her Royal Highness and guests on Foundation Day.
“The video brought static images of our first 1901 students to life and connected their lives to what we are doing today.
“As we celebrate, we are left with a question; what will the Harper community of 2151 think about what we are today?
“Our aim is to inspire them as much as we are inspired by those who came before us."
Pictures from the day by Beanstalk Global /Max MacGillivray and Harper Adams University