Celebrating Ripon College – Alumni Newsletter, Winter 2018

There were cries of joy and emotional tears when York St John University welcomed nearly four hundred alumni to Lord Mayor’s Walk to celebrate Ripon College. The afternoon opened with a ceremony to rename New Wing, home to the university’s primary teaching classrooms, ‘Ripon Wing’ honouring the incredible contribution the college, its students and staff made to Higher Education, especially teacher training, for over one hundred years.

Founded in 1862, Ripon College initially trained female teachers and was soon known for the high quality of its graduates. The first men were admitted over one hundred years later, and a decade after that the college combined with St John’s College York and began to offer other degrees, although teacher training remained integral to the College. The campus closed in 2001. ‘We know what an incredible contribution Ripon College made to women’s education, to teacher training regionally and nationally, and to the university today and we knew we had to publicly acknowledge that contribution,’ said Vice Chancellor, Professor Karen Stanton. ‘We were delighted that so many proud Ripon College graduates could join us here today to celebrate just what a special place it was.’

Graduates aged from thirty five to ninety five enjoyed afternoon tea and lawn games whilst catching up with old friends and making new ones. They were especially delighted to hear that the university is planning to award Honorary Bachelor of Education degrees to those alumni who achieved Certificates in Education (Cert Ed).