On the evening of 30 January around 60 students, staff and local people gathered in Eliot Chapel to celebrate the completion of its refurbishment as part of the University’s 50th Anniversary celebrations.

During the celebration, the Reverend Dr Stephen Laird, Father Peter Geldard, and Pastor Aaron Berko said some prayers and words of dedication and thanks, while Stephen Burke, Master of Eliot College, spoke of the refurbishment project and those involved.

The project to refurbish the Chapel was led by a team comprising the Reverend Dr Stephen Laird for the Chaplaincy, Rosanna Callow for Commercial Services, Matt Brealey from Estates, and Meredith Johnson and Stephen Burke for Eliot Master’s Office.

The Chapel was repainted, its brick floor repointed and partly carpeted, new signage designed and erected, artwork sourced and displayed, and new chairs purchased and installed. Finding a fitting altar and lectern provided a challenge, until Nigel Smith and Peter Dray from Estates came to the rescue. Using fine quality American Oak Peter and Nigel crafted a beautiful new altar and lectern, that will not just see out the next 50 years, but the 100 years after that!

The Chapel has been restored to its previous glory, and now provides a bright, peaceful and comfortable haven for quiet contemplation and prayer, for our students, visitors and staff.

Come along on Saturday 21 March, 9.30 – 18.00, for a Symposium on Feminist Action at Kent in Grimmond LT1.

Join us in celebrating feminist research, scholarship and activism over the last five decades.

Open to all.

For more information, visit the Radical Woman project webpage.

There will be another chance for staff and students at the Medway campus to walk the labyrinth this Thursday 5 March.

The labyrinth will be set up in the Rochester Board Room (R.2.09, above the No.1 Bistro) from 12.30 to 2pm, with the last entry at 1.30pm.

Please come if you can.

On Wednesday 25 February Kent student volunteers took part in the third annual ‘Student Engagement and Philanthropy Month’ organised by CASE ASAP.

Over 100 universities worldwide took part to encourage their students to get involved with philanthropy in higher education.

Kent was among just 10 institutions to take part within the UK.

The Kent Law Campaign Student Group and volunteers from the Kent Law Clinic fostered the theme of #campaignlove and encouraged their fellow students to write thank you messages on the back of branded hearts to alumni and friends who have generously donated to the Kent Law Campaign.

A heart, along with a personalised handwritten thank you card, will be sent to our Campaign donors as a way of showing our appreciation.

We would like to thank everyone who got involved with celebrating the ‘Student Engagement and Philanthropy Month’ and for spreading the #campaignlove.

Photographs from the event can be viewed on our Facebook page.

There are various different ways you can get involved and support the Kent Law Campaign, visit our website for more information.

The first of this month’s Lunchtime Concerts takes place this Wednesday 4 March, with the Deputy Director of Music, Daniel Harding, in a piano recital.

Focusing on the ideas of simplicity and beauty, the programme includes ‘Variations for Judith,’ a suite of reflections on the aria ‘Bist du bei mir’ by a selection of contemporary composers, to be performed in the presence of the suite’s dedicatee, Judith Serota.

The recital also includes pieces by Erik Satie, Amy Beach and the UK premiere of the Bill Evans-esque ‘Unicorn in Rainbows’ by Hertfordshire-based composer, Alison Wrenn.

The concert starts as usual at 13.10. Admission is free. Read more about the concert.

The Careers Café is a networking event with a difference!

Kent alumni, employers and staff members host tables in the café, at which students discuss topics to help them develop the ability to promote themselves to prospective employers, learn how to network and self-identify their skill set.

Register for the Careers Cafe at Medway on Monday 23 March at 16.00-17.30 in the Gillingham Building (G3-05).

Register for the Careers Cafe at Canterbury on Monday 30 March 17.30-19.30 in Woolf Foyer.

How does it work?

Students choose a table hosted by a mentor, where they will be invited to discuss a topic as well as summarise their discussion from the previous table, all within the space of five minutes. This will help the students to focus on concisely selling themselves and their skill as well as learning presentation skills. The questions students will be asked to focus on are:

1. What’s My Skill / Talent?
2. What’s My Goal?
3. What Are My Next Steps?

Following the Café will be a secondary session, known as ‘Live LinkedIn’ where students can ask questions about their next steps (for example, ‘I realise I need leadership skills…’) and other students and mentors can help them identify what they can do to meet that need (eg ‘run for a society committee to develop those skills’).