University College Isle of Man (UCM) held an event to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the official opening of the Homefield Road Campus on Friday, 9thMay.
The event, which was attended by the Chief Minister Alfred Cannan, Minister for Education Daphne Caine, Mayor of Douglas Natalie Byron-Teare, Honorary Fellows, Alumni, Staff and Students, was held exactly 50 years since the opening of the building often referred to as the ‘main college building’.
During the event, guests enjoyed 1970’s themed mocktails and canapés created and served by the Catering, Hospitality & Food Services students, a short speech from the Principal Jesamine Kelly, and performances of reimagined 1970s songs by the Music students.
Guests also enjoyed viewing the Milestone exhibition which features student artwork, a history of business and computing, a timeline of UCM history since it began as the Douglas School of Art, and nostalgic memorabilia.
UCM’s Principal, Jesamine Kelly, said: “We were delighted to use the anniversary of the official opening of the Homefield Road Campus to mark three important milestones in UCM’s history; 145 years since the founding of the Douglas School of Art, 10 years of the Annie Gill Training Café and 50 years of this campus. So many people in our community are connected to UCM through previous learning or employment that we really wanted to showcase this in the exhibition and mark this important event.”
During the evening, local business and landmarks were lit up red to mark the milestone, including the Legislative building, Tower of Refuge, Braddan Roundhouse, Barclays, Ramsey Swing Bridge, Stonehage Fleming, Strand Street, Douglas Promenade, Standard Bank, Utmost, Dohle and Nobles Hospital.
The exhibition is open until Wednesday. FREE tickets can be booked here.