Titanic ceremony praise for uni (From Daily Echo)

Titanic ceremony praise for uni

3:40pm Friday 7th September 2012 in News By Jon Reeve, Education Reporter

IT was the poignant anniversary of a tragedy that put the eyes of the world on Southampton .

And now Southampton Solent University has been nominated for a prestigious award for its pivotal role in helping the city commemorate the centenary of the Titanic leaving the docks on its ill-fated maiden voyage.

The institution has been shortlisted for its efforts in organising and supporting the Titanic 100 event and the opening of Southampton’s new £15m SeaCity Museum .

More than 30 Solent students worked alongside university academics and staff to run and broadcast live footage of the dockside commemorations marking the moment when, 100 years earlier, the “unsinkable” White Star liner had set sail from the port.

Pictures of the poignant wreathlaying ceremony attended by 650 descendants, which also included a flotilla of vessels and The Royal Marines Association Concert Band, were arranged and shot by students and then used by news channels around the world.

Staff and students were also key to the Daily Echo-backed event’s management and planning, and they also published an official programme.

As well as leading city-wide events and fundraising initiative with Associated British Ports, Southampton City Council, and the Calshot Trust for the two events, Solent academics also provided advice and support for the SeaCity Museum, including its special Titanic the Legend exhibition.

The efforts have earned the university a nomination in the Outstanding Contribution to the Local Community category of the Times Higher Education national awards scheme.

Trevor Thorne, Solent’s director of communications, said: “It was a great honour for the university to contribute to an event that marked such a significant moment in Southampton’s history.

“The Titanic centenary commemoration brought our city together 100 years after a tragedy that deeply impacted on our community.

“It is rewarding that all who contributed to such a fitting occasion should be recognised in being shortlisted for such a prestigious award."

The winners will be announced at a ceremony in London on November 29.

• To discover how the Titanic disaster affected her home port of Southampton, visit our special Titanic site - titanic-southampton.co.uk