More than 1,000 people have now invested in the vision of the University by becoming benefactors and supporting a variety of causes and developments.

Some of these people came together recently when they attended a benefactors’ dinner, organised by the University as part of our Founder’s Day celebrations.

Since its foundation nearly 75 years ago, due in great part to the philanthropy of Thomas Robinson Ferens, the University has benefited enormously from the assistance of those who shared its mission.

The annual Founder’s Day event commemorates the vital role played by T R Ferens when in 1925 he gave £250,000 (the equivalent of over £10million today) to endow a University College, the forerunner of the University.

As well as looking back, Founder’s Day highlights the importance of the next generation of benefactors, whose donations will enable the University to continue to be at the cutting edge of learning and research.