Sussex students pay tribute to former Chancellor Richard Attenborough

Tributes from past and present Sussex students have poured in after the passing of former Chancellor, Richard Attenborough.

The actor and director served as Chancellor between 1998 and 2008.

He died on Sunday aged 90.

Vice Chancellor Michael Farthing said: “Lord Attenborough was a great man in all respects. We are so proud that among the many roles he played, one of them was as our Chancellor.

“We will remember him for his vitality and commitment in supporting the University, for his unshakeable belief in the value of education, and for his immense warmth and kindness.”

Current 3rd year History & Politics student Callum Thomas said: “As well as making an invaluable contribution to the world of film, Richard Attenborough was also immensely popular as Chancellor. He will be sorely missed.

“I hope that his picture on the first floor of the library in the study area will ensure that his contribution is not forgotten.”

Lord Attenborough, an Oscar winning director and actor, had a life long love affair with all things Sussex, from his acting breakthrough in Brighton Rock in 1947, to his use of students as extras in the 1969 film Oh! What a Lovely War.

Lord Attenborough’s formal connection with Sussex began in 1969 when he was appointed Patron of the Gardener Arts Centre.

In 1970 he became Pro-Chancellor.

Richard’s daughter, Jane, joined the university in 1971 and his son Michael went on to graduate from Sussex with an English degree in 1972.

It was in 1998 that he finally became the Chancellor of Sussex University.

Lord Attenborough, as well as advocating many funds and scholarships through the university, also continued to be heavily involved in university life after his retirement as Chancellor in 2008.

The recently refurbished Gardener Centre will be renamed the Attenborough Centre for Creative Arts and open in 2015.