This is an archive page


University of  Sussex MEDIA RELEASE

The Information Office, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton, BN1 9RH.

Friday March 20 1998 For immediate release

LORD ATTENBOROUGH ELECTED CHANCELLOR OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SUSSEX

 

The Court of the University of Sussex has today elected Lord Attenborough as its fourth Chancellor. He will be replacing the Duke of Richmond and Gordon, who has been Chancellor of the University since l985.

Lord Attenborough has been associated with the University of Sussex for over thirty years. His first contact was with Lord Briggs, then Vice Chancellor, who arranged for undergraduates to take part in his film Oh! What a Lovely War, which was set in Brighton.

Lord Attenborough was elected Pro-Chancellor of the University in l970. He has been a supportive and very active participant in the life of the University, regularly contributing to Council Meetings and Degree ceremonies. He became the enthusiastic Patron of the newly established Gardner Arts Centre in l969 and has been its President for the past eight years. In l985, responding to a call from the Students' Union, he helped to found, and continues to endow, the Mandela Scholarship Fund aimed at providing university education for black South Africans.

Two of Lord Attenborough's three children gained their degrees at Sussex. In the l980s he helped create an admissions video and donated the proceeds of a premiere of the film, Cry Freedom, to the University.

Lord Attenborough is currently in Canada working on his new film, Grey Owl. On learning of his election to the Chancellorship earlier today he commented, "I have been connected with the University of Sussex for some 30 years and it is an experience which has enriched my life immensely. The honour now granted me by the University Court will allow me to repay that considerable debt and to serve the University wherever and whenever the opportunity arises."

For further information contact Sue Yates, Information Officer on Tel. 01273 678384. Fax 01273 678335. email S.M.Yates@sussex.ac.uk

Notes for editors:
The Chancellor is the lay head of a university and the Chairman of its Court. The Chancellor also presides at university ceremonies, for example, the degree congregations.


This file produced by USIS - 20th March 1998