The University of York's 50th Anniversary

50 years of changing the world - The University of York

The University of York celebrates its 50th anniversary throughout 2013. The anniversary is an opportunity for us to reflect on York’s success, all the people who have made it possible, and showcase the University's vision for the future.

Rather than being a single event, the 50th anniversary celebrations will take place throughout the year, and will engage the wide range of people and organisations that are involved with the University, and have helped to shape it.

This site will feature regular updates on the plans, with some central strands underpinning the year's activities.

Look out for:

  • Imagery, profiles and interactive materials derived from the ’50 people at 50’ project, which will feature on this site, to celebrate people who have played a key role in York’s development, This site will also include the project to identify 50 ways York has changed the world.
  • An oral history of the University, which will give a rich picture of the first half-century of the University's development. The project will be showcased throughout the anniversary year, and this site will feature interactive materials relating to it.
  • The appointment of up to seventeen Anniversary Chairs to celebrate York’s achievements in teaching and research, and to strengthen the University’s international standing in a range of areas.

There will be a large events programme associated with the 50th anniversary to give staff, students, alumni and the local community opportunities to celebrate the University’s achievements. Flagship activities include:

  • In March 2013, a large launch event will take place in the City of York to celebrate the dynamic partnership between the University and the City.
  • Events on campus will include the 2013 York Festival of Ideas (for which the University is the lead partner), running from 13-30 June 2013, with the Alumni Weekend as the centrepiece for graduates from 21-23 June. Events will include debates, lectures, and the popular annual alumni black-tie dinner on Saturday 22 June.
  • 50 alumni receptions around the world to ensure that international partners and graduates can celebrate the anniversary in style. These celebrations will feature a large academic conference in New York, and events across the globe, including in Hong Kong, Shanghai, New Delhi and London.
  • A graduation ceremony in Beijing in March, including events for alumni, cultural exchanges and extensive media coverage.
  • There will also be a number of celebrations based in departments and colleges, especially since some of these will also be celebrating 50 years since their inception.

We hope you will join us to celebrate this land-mark anniversary; please check this site for updates.

Alumni, colleagues, students, and other partners who would like to help to design and promote the 50th anniversary celebrations should contact Nik on Nik.Miller@york.ac.uk