Lord Sebastian Coe officially installed as Chancellor of Loughborough University
The two-time gold medal-winning Olympian received his robes this morning during the first summer graduation ceremony of 2017 – held at the Sir David Wallace building.
Almost 1,800 graduands and family members watched as Lord Coe accepted the ceremonial role and took his place centre stage, between Vice-Chancellor Robert Allison and Senior Pro-Chancellor Sir Peter Bonfield, for the start of the degree ceremony.
He is only the sixth Chancellor in the history of Loughborough University, replacing Sir Nigel Rudd.
“I arrived, and passed through this wonderful university some 40 years ago,” said Lord Coe, addressing the packed auditorium. “And, like many of you in this room, and those on this stage, I have watched with great pride as this university has graduated to best-in-class both domestically and overseas.”
Lord Coe, who made Olympic history by winning gold and silver in the 1980 and 1984 Games, graduated from Loughborough in 1979 and has remained a close friend and supporter of the University.
“I really don’t need to say today that it’s one of the proudest days of my life,” he said.
“I hope that you, who are graduating today, you will join me on this journey of representing this university, both at home and overseas, and supporting everything it has historically stood for and everything it will achieve in the future.”
His first task in the post, which will see him act as Chief Ambassador of the University, was to confer degrees and awards to students of the University’s School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences – which recently played a huge part in earning the University the title of Best Sporting University in the World.
He will continue in his formal capacity in the remaining graduation ceremonies being held tomorrow, Thursday and Friday.
The University’s Vice-chancellor Professor Robert Allison hailed the occasion as a “great day” for Loughborough.
“So,” he said. “Today is a great day for the University.
“We’ve installed Lord Coe, Sebastian Coe, as our Chancellor and this is only the sixth time we’ve had a day like this in our University’s history
“What’s most significant about it is that Seb’s one of our own - he’s a Loughborough graduate and he’s gone to achieve world class recognition for the contributions he’s made both as a sportsman and for what he’s done for the country – for example London 2012.
“So, great day for the University and we can be proud that Seb is now Chancellor.”
The Chancellor's installation ceremony can be watched here (10.30am Tuesday 18 July).
View the press release on the Loughborough University website for further information and resources.
Loughborough is one of the country’s leading universities, with an international reputation for research that matters, excellence in teaching, strong links with industry, and unrivalled achievement in sport and its underpinning academic disciplines.
It has been awarded five stars in the independent QS Stars university rating scheme, named the best university in the world for sports-related subjects in the 2020 QS World University Rankings and top in the country for its student experience in the 2018 THE Student Experience Survey.
Loughborough is in the top 10 of every national league table, being ranked 4th in the Guardian University League Table 2020, 5th in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2020 and 8th in The UK Complete University Guide 2020.
Loughborough is consistently ranked in the top twenty of UK universities in the Times Higher Education’s ‘table of tables’ and is in the top 10 in England for research intensity. In recognition of its contribution to the sector, Loughborough has been awarded seven Queen's Anniversary Prizes.
Specialising exclusively in postgraduate-level study, Loughborough University London is based on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and offers cutting-edge master’s and PhD degrees, as well as business collaboration, research and enterprise opportunities.
The seven specialist institutes at Loughborough University London include: Design Innovation, Digital Technologies, Diplomacy and International Governance, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, International Management, Media and Creative Industries, and Sport Business. Close industry partnerships with a wealth of leading businesses and creative organisations means teaching and learning is informed by real-life challenges and driven by true industry pressures.