19 April 2004

Leeds University celebrates its Centenary
From April 22, the floodlit Parkinson Building will once again be a feature of the city's night-time skyline. This will inaugurate the University’s Centenary celebrations. Its Art Deco interior has been refurbished under the direction of designer George Carter for the first time since the building was opened by the Princess Royal in 1951.

Three exhibitions entitled ‘Beyond Gold’ will be open to the public from 23rd April. These are located off the Parkinson Court in the new Centenary Gallery, the Art Gallery and the foyer of the Brotherton Library – showing highlights of the University's history, with archival images, film and art works – including paintings by Roger Fry, Vanessa Bell, Ben Nicholson and Terry Frost.

The Centenary opening ceremony will include honorary degrees for three former professors who have made major contributions to their fields, historian Maurice Beresford, sociologist Zygmunt Bauman and engineer Duncan Dowson on April 22. Centenary week closes on April 29 with a ceremony and the conferment of honorary degrees on Jack Charlton, Tony Morrison, Professor Dame Julia Higgins, Sir Ian McKellen, Sir Kenneth Morrison, Baroness Usha Prashar of Runnymede, Professor David Rhodes and Professor Ngugi wa Thiong'o.

Graduates will return to Leeds for Alumni day on April 24 and see their old departments, tour the student union and listen to the BBC's director of drama entertainment and children's programmes and graduate Alan Yentob give this year's Convocation Lecture, Making the difference – the secret life of the BBC.

Further events will be held later in the year, including a Centenary conference on May 12 and the reopening of the Clothworkers' Centenary Concert Hall on June 25 with a recital by pianist Murray Perahia.

Photo opportunities and preview of exhibitions:

The centenary exhibition opens at 10am on Friday 23 April. Previews can be arranged between 10am - 4pm Monday 19 April - Thursday 22 April, or Thursday 23 April, 7pm - 8.30pm. Please telephone Hannah Love or Vanessa Bridge at the University press office on 0113 343 4100 if you would like to preview the exhibition.

Exhibition opening and preview with University Chancellor Melvyn Bragg
3.30pm Thursday 22 April, Parkinson Court, Parkinson building, Woodhouse Lane

Honorary graduations 4.00pm Thursday 29 April, Clothworkers' Court, by the Great Hall, University of Leeds

Images from the exhibitions and of the preparations for the celebrations are available from the press office, 0113 343 4100, pressoffice@leeds.ac.uk

For more information contact:
Vanessa Bridge, Head of Communications, 0113 343 4030, v.bridge@leeds.ac.uk