Graduations

Last week, two members of the archive team graduated, amidst the splendour and joy that is the Bath Spa University Graduation Ceremonies. In a change from the usual venue of Newton Park, this year's event took place in the heart of the city, at Bath Abbey.

Over the years, a variety of settings have been used, each one being ideal for a time, before expediencies of organisation dictated a change. In the early days, there was no formal 'graduation' as such, but a summer event marking the culmination of studies took place in the grounds and buildings at Newton Park. This 'Commemoration Day' saw large scale drama productions (including a full medieval pageant on one or two occasions) as well as family picnics and displays of work.

Historic pageant for Commemoration Day, June 1963

Commemoration Day dance display by students, c.1950.

In the 1980s, the Assembly Rooms in Bath were used for the event, but the growing number of students soon meant that the space was too small. The solution then was the huge marquee, on the lawn in front of Main House, which is where I first graduated (with the BA in History) in the Summer of 2011. 

The marquee itself is vast, and accommodates a large stage, with steps at either side. Nerves, high heels or a combination of the two can make these steps seem like a mountain. The fashion for ever-higher heels has presented an even greater challenge in recent years, too.

Graduation at Newton Park, July 2011

Students take their places at one end of the marquee, July 2011

The backdrop of Newton Park makes these graduation ceremonies very memorable. Registration takes place in the Library, gowns are donned in the University Theatre, and family and friends can congregate around the refectory at Moreton (formerly the assembly hall) 

Last Saturday, Bath Spa students, staff and families seemed to be everywhere in the centre of Bath. The Guildhall was a hive of activity for registration, gowning and official photographs. Downstairs, the Alumni Association were busy taking photographs to use in the alumni magazine. Students posed with a huge 'golden scroll', which was great fun. These pictures can be viewed through the Alumni Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/BathSpaUniversityAlumni?fref=ts

The Academic Procession, ready to enter Bath Abbey for the second (of eight) ceremonies on 19th and 20th July 2013

Jubilation from some of this year's graduating Master's students and their tutor.

Walking over to the Abbey, capped and gowned certainly caused a stir. It was a lovely atmosphere, amongst the crowds in the Abbey Churchyard, and we raised the profile of the university as all sorts of people took photographs and watched everyone in their ceremonial glory. Some tourists asked to pose with groups of graduates! It was a joyous occasion all round. 

Plans for Summer

For most parts of the university, life becomes rather different over the summer, and this is reflected in the activities of the BSU Archive office, too.

Most of the undergraduate students have now left for the vacation, and a proportion of these will attend their graduation ceremonies later this month. 

Postgraduate students are still in evidence, as their academic year usually lasts from September to September, but these are far fewer in number and a little more difficult to spot anyway, being always so studious and with their noses so firmly to the grindstone!

The archive work during this 'quiet time' is supplemented by attendance at College Reunions, organised by the Alumni Association, and taking place much more frequently now that the alumni office has grown over the past months. There are three such reunions taking place in the next few weeks. The archive team will be there to meet groups of former students, and we arrange displays of archive materials to show them. More news of these events will follow in future blogs.

Former student Christine, contemplates the Newton Park scenery July 2013

Summer is also a time for rest, recuperation and research, and some of the team, moving from the second to the third year of study here, will be hard at work with dissertation research. This is the case for Adam, Hayley and Laura. Richard is preparing for his MA postgraduate studies which begin in September, and Kate has officially been a PhD student since 1st July. Research is continuing in earnest!

Over the summer months, Corsham Court continues to be gently buzzing with postgraduate activity, but Newton Park, now almost empty of student activity, returns to its grand, peaceful splendour as a country estate. Its at this time that one's imagination can drift to former ages and times, and picture a life here before college habits took over. I recall interviewing a former student, now almost 90, who came to visit on a September Sunday morning; we sat on a bench outside Main House, and she told me wistfully that it was 'Just the same. Just the same...' 

Two sets of people here are still extremely busy at this time, of course. These are the teams involved with the Graduations, and with Admissions. Both groups are even now, bracing themselves for the challenges ahead. This year's graduations take place on 19th and 20th July at Bath Abbey. 

The Admissions team swing into their busiest period of activity in mid August, when they will be on hand during many long working days, to receive, placate, reassure and welcome another cohort of students. Another set of memories is about to begin at Bath Spa University.