The University has celebrated its 50th anniversary with a special gathering at a prestigious art gallery in the centre of Rome.
Over 120 guests, including University staff, students and alumni, gathered at the Galleria Borghese on 1 April. They were welcomed by Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Keith Mander and Professor Tom Henry, Academic Director of Kent’s Rome centre.
During the Rome event, Professor Mander spoke about Kent’s development over the past 50 years, and its aspirations for the next 50. Professor Henry thanked the curator of the Galleria Borghese for enabling Kent to host the celebrations in such stunning surroundings, and also spoke about the University’s close partnership with the American University of Rome (AUR), where Kent’s postgraduate centre is based.
Guests were given exclusive access to the Galleria Borghese – which features an important collection of works by Bernini, Raphael, Caravaggio and Canova – throughout the evening. Students from Kent’s Rome centre spoke about the art on display and Professor Henry gave a talk on Raphael’s The Deposition.
The University’s Dean for Europe Professor Roger Vickerman said afterwards: ‘It was wonderful to meet with our alumni, and our colleagues from AUR, at the event; my thanks to all who attended for providing us with such a warm welcome.’
The University has also recently hosted a 50th anniversary celebration for more than 200 alumni in the House of Lords, which included a performance by Invicta Voices, Kent’s alumni choir. To find out more about the other activities which are being held to mark the University’s 50th anniversary, see our events pages.