Homecoming Weekend

By Simon Kaye and Suzanne Nolan

Last weekend (12-14 Sept) saw the University of Essex kick of its 50th Anniversary celebrations with the Homecoming Weekend. Alumni and previous staff were invited to spend the weekend on campus enjoying hundreds of activities, from live music and evenings out to face painting and Wii competitions. Academics were out in force talking about their research both past and present, and in the Hexagon, the exhibition Something Fierce, University of Essex: Vision and Reality opened, curated by our very own Jules Lubbock. 

On Saturday, all of the departments across the University hosted their reunion lunch, a chance for alumni and previous staff to come and say hello to one another and current staff. Philosophy and Art History were hosting together, and it was wonderful to see so many familiar and new faces. We've been working on our School timelines for the last few weeks, so it was a great to see all that hard work pay off - so many people commented on how good the timelines were, and added their own memories. 

Every had a great time. Rupert Mass, alumnus of Art History and expert on Antiques Roadshow, can be seen below, meeting Matt Lodder, our contemporary art and tattooing specialist, along with Lisa Wade. 

Jo Harwood, director of ESCALA, was there representing CISH (Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies), which is part of the School of Philosophy and Art History. 

The new Head of School, Fabian Freyenhagen, caught up with past students. 

Art History's retired Graduate Administrator, Myra Offord, also attended!

Simon: One of my favourite and most expected activities took place in the Robotic Arena, where I was able to shed my art historical persona and delve into another world, full of electronics and computers. Meeting a robot was an amazing experience and allowed me to know how close we are to creating Sonny. Radically different from my academic knowledge, it was very refreshing to see what other departments have been researching on.

Suzanne: I really enjoyed visiting the Towers, and seeing all the bedrooms made up to represent the different decades. It made be think about how different styles come in and out of fashion; different music; different colours, even. Ultimately, though, it made me realise how students of today are so similar to students of the 1960's - studious, enthusiastic, curious... and looking to make the most out of their time at University! 

Frontrunners and Leaving Essex

By Simon Kaye

September 2014 marks the end of a journey and the beginning of a new one. This year has changed me as a person in various different aspects. The experience I had at Essex was unexpected and extremely rewarding for a young graduate. The course of this year was unique for me, considering the more practical background that led me to the postgraduate program in Art History and the career I am now heading towards. I have much to look forward to and a lot of amazing memories to base my expectations on.

In the various activities I have done over the course of this academic year, most of them rewarded me with other favourable circumstances. As my friend and former lecturer Duncan Wooldridge told me: it is more important to make the most of small opportunities rather than waiting for the big ones. Being a frontrunner at the University was one of these opportunities, which helped me to enhance my academic CV with more professional experience. Over these past three months I have gained various transferable skills not necessarily related to the study of art but highly prized by employers. Marketing the department has allowed me to step on the working ladder whilst marrying this new expertise with my studies.

Being on the frontrunner scheme whilst doing my dissertation was also helpful to manage my time and study harder. Instead of focusing all the time on my writing and turning into an art historian freak, working alongside other frontrunners in the library put a routine in place and created a break from my study time. The three mornings per week when I took the bus to go to campus did not feel like I was going to work. The placement was designed to be as beneficial for me as it is for the department to hire an extra pair of hands. Even though my role involved a greater deal of marketing activities I was not aware of before, I still had the opportunity to apply in the job what I have learnt during my lessons. Working on the art history student blog, writing exhibition reviews and designing the Art History Newsletter have nurtured my knowledge, and allow me to practice it in a professional environment.

Not only I am grateful for this opportunity, I would also like to galvanise forthcoming students who are starting in September to consider such activities offered by the university.   Rather than being an extra income on the top of the loans, they allow you to set yourself up straight away with a professional background alongside your studies. You will finish your undergraduate or postgraduate program with a lifetime experience of working with lecturers in a professional environment and finally you will leave Essex with more than one string on your bow. 

For more information about frontrunners, and the placements available, visit their website. 

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