Graduation University of Chichester
Saturday 5th October 2013
I
have set myself the goal of writing at least one blog entry each week and to
kick off thought that I would write about my graduation today from the
University of Chichester www.chi.ac.uk where
I have been studying for a BA in History with Theology and Religions.
Today
was a lovely sunny and warm day. I met up with my friend Mandy from the
Theology course and we caught the shuttle bus to the Chichester Festival
Theatre. We then met up with my other friend Helen and took our seats in the
Theatre in the Park. The Vice Chancellor, Professor Clive Behagg began and
ended proceedings with two inspiring speeches in which he told the story of an
old lady who had been a WAAF at Bishop Otter Campus during the run up to and D.
Day. The lady had visited the Bishop Otter Campus and told Professor Behagg
what life was like in the command centre which was located in room E124 and how
herself and a friend and colleague met in the doorway to E124 whilst changing
shift at just past midnight on June 5th 1944 and how they realised
that this was it the invasion had began and that in that moment the reality of
what they were doing dawned on them. Until then life had been quite good, away
from home meeting new friends a bit like being at university. Professor Behagg
said that he wanted every graduand to take a piece of room E124 away with them
and to remember what the men and women stationed on the Bishop Otter Campus
during those dark days were fighting for – for our today, our future and our
freedom. I had many history lectures in E124 and would always look at the plaque
up on the wall, which commemorated the role of E124 as a command room in the D.
Day events.
I am
so glad that my two friends Helen and Mandy came with me I am so lucky to have
them as friends. A great day was had by all- graduands, friends and family and
Chichester staff. Professor Behagg noted that some of the professional support
staff from the university volunteered to help with the graduation ceremonies a
big thank you to all staff who helped and not forgetting Mark Mason who
performed as orator flawlessly reading everyone’s names out and even pronounced my
surname correctly in its Old English!
