Centenary events

As part of our centenary celebrations, we hosted a series of public and staff events both on and off campus. From our ChangeMakers: Centenary Festival to a global digital celebration and our Difficult Conversations series we celebrated, debated and engaged throughout the year.

Browse details of the events we held during our Centenary celebrations.

Previous events

100 years of the University: a lecture

The origins of the University of Leicester were retold by Professor Gordon Campbell.

Centenary Square dedication

On Sunday 11 November 2018, we officially opened and dedicated Centenary Square.

Centenary launch

On Wed 1 September 2021, we officially launched our centenary celebrations

LeicestershireLive Women in Business Awards

We were proud to sponsor the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Women in Business Awards 2021

Freedom of the Borough

In September 2021, the University was conferred the Freedom of the Borough by Oadby and Wigston Borough Council (OWBC)

Innovation Awards

In September 2021 we were proud to be joint headline sponsors for the LeicestershireLive Innovation Awards 2021

ChangeMakers Centenary Festival

On Sat 2 October 2021, we hosted a public festival to celebrate our birthday weekend.

Global Celebration

Mon 4 October 2021 was our official 100th anniversary and we marked the occasion by celebrating our community around the world.

Leicester Symphony Orchestra

Leicester Symphony Orchestra concert was held on 23 October, with a drinks reception hosted by Michael Attenborough.

Leicester Comedy Festival Stand-Up Challenge

On 3 November, seven brave participants from companies and organisations across the city performed stand up comedy for the first time.

LeicestershireLive Business Executive of the Year Awards

4 November saw us supporting the 2021 LeicestershireLive Business Executive of the Year Awards.

Diwali 2021

We were proud to sponsor Leicester City Council's annual Diwali celebrations.

Poppy Pilgrimage

Our Poppy Pilgrimage event culminated on 11 November. See how we honoured those lives that were lost.

Percy Gee Students' Union Building official opening

The redevelopment of the Percy Gee Building was officially opened on 30 November 2021.

Centenary Scholars Reception

On 1 December, Professor Nishan Canagarajah hosted a reception for students who have benefitted from the University’s range of scholarships and bursaries.

Brookfield opening

Official opening of Brookfield, former home of founding benefactor Thomas Fielding Johnson, now the location of our School of Business

An evening with Esua Jane Goldsmith

Our first black, female SU President recalls her time at Leicester on International Women’s Day.

Blast-off for Space Park Leicester

ESA astronaut Tim Peake and children from local schools helped us launch our unique facility for space-related businesses.

Dr Alex George

The Youth Mental Health Ambassador and reality TV star visited Leicester in March 2022 to talk about student mental health.

Difficult Conversations

From November 2021 to July 2022 we held a series of thought-provoking and informative free public talks.

Literary Leicester 2022

The return of our annual celebration of the written word in all its forms.

Centenary Scholars Reception

On 1 December, Professor Nishan Canagarajah hosted a reception for students who have benefitted from the University’s range of scholarships and bursaries.

Celebrating our Rutland links

Founded as Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland University College, we have never forgotten the ‘and Rutland’ part.

Centenary Alumni Dinner

Leicester alumni return ‘home’ for Centenary celebration.

Inspirational women

Fifteen female colleagues were honoured in a special photographic display.

An Evening with Michael Attenborough

Celebrating 100 years of the University and 25 years of Attenborough Arts Centre.

Centenary Golden Book

Recognising our Centenary supporters with a unique volume that harks to our founding.

Planting 100 trees

Supporters, partners, alumni and friends planted 100 trees across our campuses to mark 100 years of change.
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