HRH Princess Alexandra, the University’s first Chancellor, was present at the 50^th Anniversary Launch Dinner at the LICA building on campus on Thursday (6 February).

Since being appointed as Founding Chancellor in 1964, Princess Alexandra has observed with interest as Lancaster University has evolved from a small but passionate community of academics to an Institution of global significance.

Other guests at the private event included the current Chancellor Sir Christian Bonington, Pro- Chancellor Lord Liddle, former Pro-Chancellor and former diplomat Sir Christopher Audland, and Honorary Graduates actress Patricia Routledge and former England footballer Jimmy Armfield.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Mark E. Smith said: “Our anniversary is much more than a chance to look back.  It is an opportunity to lay the foundations for our vision for the future and to raise our profile regionally, nationally and internationally.

“Our aspiration is to be a world-renowned University of genuine global significance, providing the highest quality research and teaching.  We will play our part in changing thinking on big global issues such as climate change, food security, ageing and cyber security.”

The anniversary celebrations, to run until March 2015, will encompass a host of exciting events across the globe. 

Details of events, including those taking place around the official anniversary weekend of 13 and 14 September 2014, a series of Public Lectures, a Campus in the Community initiative and the traditional Roses contest with York in May, will be available on the University’s 50^th anniversary website at www.lancaster.ac.uk/50  and will be updated throughout the year.