As Christmas approaches, here’s an extract from the first Christmas issue of the Collegian in 1886.

The front cover was drawn by Mr Hall and shows the music and lyrics for the song ‘Home Sweet Home’ with Christmas and new year greeting to readers, and an inset of the top of the University’s Old College building on the Exton Park campus.

The Editor’s notes go on to say farewell to the graduating class and a sigh of relief for the end of the exams!

“‘Good Bye!’ - how full of meaning are these words? Yes, we wish our Seniors Goodbye - some of them we make perhaps never meet again. To all, we wish success, and trust that each one may receive a good share of this world's benefits. 

Thank goodness we shall be able to breathe more freely this time next week. We have had plenty of exams lately, if nothing else. Let us hope we shall all come off well, and that we shall be able to produce a good list next year; I know that Juniors of’ 86 can do a great deal if they try. The Scripture List was a decided improvement."

The issue concludes with a rather long poem called the ‘Christmas Song’ by student ‘H.W.’ The final verse sums up the wishes of Chester students both today and in 1886. 

"...And may bounteous Plenty smiling
Every threshold take her stand 
And goodwill and peace together
Hide unfettered through the land
To the sounds of joy and mirth 
Winging through the Christian earth
Hail the flagon: hail the cheer!
Christmas comes but once a year." 

Dame Jenny Harris was officially installed as Chancellor during a ceremony held as part of graduation week on Thursday 6 November 2025.

Dame Jenny is best known for the prominent public media role she played in the Covid-19 pandemic response, delivering briefings from Number 10 to our sitting rooms in her former role as Deputy Chief Medical Officer for England and as a Second Permanent Secretary in the Department of Health.

A long-time supporter of the University of Chester, she has been a proud honorary Professor of Public Health since 2019. She plans to take a special interest in Chester’s Medical School, as well as bringing transferable skills to contribute to the whole University - especially in business, management, science, finance, international relations and local and national government.

• Monday 1 December
• 9.30am - 3pm
• Wheeler, Chester

Hear from specialist dietitians from practice and the University in interactive engaging sessions. You will also observe how a dietitian will, and have a go at, assess nutritional status and use information to define a dietetic problem. This is an opportunity to first-hand experience of the tasks a dietitian would undertake in different environments, such as Clinical dietetics and Public Health.

This is a great opportunity to sample different roles a dietitian may do once qualified.

Book your place here

• Monday 1 December
• 7pm - 8pm
• Online

The University of Chester has a long tradition of educating and training people to work with psychological trauma, supporting those who have experienced a wide range of life challenges and adversities.

This information session will cover our popular Level 7 Psychological Trauma PGCert.

Book your place here

Lyndon Howson has reached the finals of the Nature Storyteller of the Year in the WeNaturalists People of Nature awards for his book, The Blight’s End, a 160-page adventure novel that follows Hector, a courageous young hedgehog, as he embarks on a quest to save his woodland home from an encroaching, mysterious force known as ‘The Blight’.

Lyndon, who graduated with a first in BSc Zoology and progressed to a MRes in Hedgehog Conservation, is now working at Chester Zoo as a Wildlife and Wellbeing Officer. The book is available to buy in the Chester Zoo shop.

Read more here

We’re excited to share that we have launched three dynamic new campaigns designed to spark innovation, creativity, and career success at University of Chester:

Career Pathway Fund - Supporting students in building brighter futures through tailored career development.

Flagship Project - Investing in standout estate initiatives that showcase the very best that Chester can offer.

Art Sponsorship - Celebrating creativity by bringing student and graduate art to life across campus.

These new directions reflect our commitment to growth, adaptability, and making a lasting impact.

Learn more about how you can support these new initiatives here.

Each month the University shares a wide range of news updates which you can follow on the website’s ‘News Page’. 

This month includes, double national award success for University of Chester staff, the University successfully securing funding from the Office for Students (OfS) to further invest in facilities and student experience, plus much more!

Staying fit and healthy over winter is important to chase the winter blues away and all those nasty viruses that come this time of the year.

Check out these top tips for winter wellbeing. Keep warm and catch that sneeze!

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year from all at University of Chester

T: +44 (0)1244 512477
E: alumni@chester.ac.uk
W: www.chester.ac.uk/alumni

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