King’s relatedNewsletter of the Family Programme Issue 8 | Spring 2010

Welcome to our Spring edition of King’s related. As this academic year draws to a close, this edition has been designed to highlight

just some of the extraordinary activities that King’s students have been involved with. These projects can often support a student’s academic work, their future and contribute to the wider community.

In particular I would like to draw your attention to the article which covers the magnificent charity concert performed by the King’s Orchestra and involving many students

from around the College. A wonderful, evening was had by all.

In addition, I am proud to announce King’s fantastic acquisition of the East Wing of Somerset House, which you can find out more about on page three. This is a historic moment for the College: after one of the longest property discussions in history, King’s has acquired a landmark building which we’ve coveted since 1820! The result will be greatly improved accommodation for many of our students and staff.

Professor Rick TrainorPrincipal

Welcome from the Principal‘Opportunity of a lifetime’

Last summer, 19 King’s students were given the chance to study and work in Mumbai. This unique

opportunity was made possible through the Study India programme. Over three weeks, students attended a variety of lectures on Indian culture, history, language and commerce and gained experience with a local company or non-government organisation. For many, including King’s student Rebecca McMurray, it was the ‘opportunity of a lifetime!’

King’s charity concertIn what has been described as the largest

musical event in King’s history, students and staff held a charity concert in aid of

the Integrated Cancer Centre. One of King’s most high-profile charitable causes.

The concert was held on 21 March in the splendour of Cadogan Hall; one of London’s finest classical music venues. Performances were given by King’s College London Symphony Orchestra, accompanied by a 100 voice choir composed of the King’s Chapel Choir and selected students from all five campuses of the College. It was simply described as ‘one of the finest university ensembles in the UK’.

The concert was made possible thanks to the Annual Fund. Proceeds from the concert will go a long way in supporting the Integrated Cancer Centre at King’s which is responsible for delivering cancer care to over 1.6 million people.

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Making a difference to… Europe

Every year, through a week long series of events, the European Society invites everyone from

students to politicians to join in European political and cultural debates. This year was no exception, with high profile diplomats including an ex-Prime Minister of Poland, three journalists, five academics and many King’s students joining in the discussions.

The event series has enabled many students to make personal contacts in organisations in which they may one day

wish to work. One student has even gone on to complete an internship with NATO and is now working with the Foreign Office.

‘Guests were impressed with the international reputation of our speakers and were delighted to have the opportunity to converse with them’ said Sarah Muhsen (European Studies BA).

In order to widen the political debate and increase participation, this year’s event series was supported by the Annual Fund. To find out more about supporting the Annual Fund please visit kcl.ac.uk/support

The year 2010 marks the centenary of the death of Florence Nightingale. It also marks the 150th

anniversary of the founding of her School of Nursing & Midwifery, now part of King’s. As the world’s first professional school of nursing it’s no surprise that there are one or two celebrations taking place.

One group who will be joining in with their own melodious celebration is the College’s own Nightingale Choir. In August this year they will perform live on BBC

Radio 4’s Sunday Worship programme and in September the choir will be performing at the Wellcome Institute.

This is a fantastic opportunity for a choir that was formed in 2007 for a one-off performance.

‘The idea was to set up a community choir of current and former members of the School, because nursing students don’t have many opportunities to join in with activities, their timetable being so busy,’ says Ian Noonan, lecturer at the School and founder of the choir.

‘Membership is open to all nursing and midwifery alumni. There are no auditions, but we invite people to come to rehearsals if they can.’

Ian Noonan decided to form the choir after significant scientific evidence showed that arts programmes can play a central role in preparing healthcare professionals for the challenges that will face them throughout their working lives. The choir provides an opportunity for students, staff and alumni of the School and College to have fun being creative together.

The choir is directed by jazz musician Laka D, and supported by Mary King at London’s SouthBank centre and the generosity of alumni. Since its founding the choir has performed regularly at School and College events such as graduations and induction ceremonies.

A song as sweet as a Nightingale

King’s graduates win top prizeCongratulations to Katarzyna Kusnierz and Francisca Gale who both won prestigious prizes in 2009. The awards were given out by the University of London for achievements in Medieval and Modern German Languages BA studies. This is a fantastic feat as they were up against top students from universities throughout London.

Congratulations also goes to Antonio Infantino who won his heat in the BUCS Championships 200m athletics race.

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Page 3

Moving in next door

Cancer treatment breakthrough

Scientists at King’s have developed a new treatment to help prevent the recurrence of leukaemia. This is an

exciting breakthrough as current prevention treatments have a severe effect on a patient’s quality of life, and for more than 50 per cent of leukaemia patients, treatment is not successful.

This new treatment will be administered as a simple vaccine. It has been designed to prevent a relapse by programming each patient’s immune system to recognise and attack new leukaemia cells.

This new treatment is currently being tested on leukaemia patients and if successful, the vaccine could be used to treat patients with other types of cancer.

‘Lots and lots of little can do lots and lots of good’ Stevie WonderIt was this quote that inspired Daniel Grace, Ioannis Kasouridis (Medicine) and Antonia Peart (History), to record and release ‘Let it Be’ by The Beatles and ‘The Sun Will Rise Again’ as charity singles in aid of the DEC Haiti Earthquake Appeal.

They explained ‘We thought that our music could appeal to the student body and hopefully as one, play a small part in helping the people of Haiti get back on their feet.’

For more information go to www.kingsforhaiti.co.uk

In November 2009, King’s College London was given the keys to the East Wing of Somerset House. This

was a historic occasion for the College, which has been in negotiations to lease the building for over 180 years. It can truly be described as one of the longest-ever property negotiations.

Since the College was built next to Somerset House in 1829 it has been in various discussions to expand into one of the wings of Somerset House itself. Now, some 180 years later, this will finally become a reality as the East Wing, which was previously occupied by the Inland Revenue, is developed.

Over the next two years the East Wing will be restored to its original status as one of London’s most beautiful and iconic buildings. There will be some open access to the public as well as areas for continuing education and studies in arts and culture. The remaining top two floors will house the College’s historic School of Law.

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Page 4Page 4

Contact details

Kate Pactor, Development & Alumni Offi ce, King’s College London, James Clerk Maxwell Building, 57 Waterloo Road, London SE1 8WA Tel +44(0)20 7848 3005, Email family@kcl.ac.uk

Student gives expert advice on Coronation Street

Students save the earth

In good companyAmongst our alumni there are many well known actors, writers and playwrights. These include:

Alain de Botton (Philosophy,

1992) – his fi rst book Essays on Love was released in March as the fi lm My Five Last Girlfriends.

Jamila Massey (English and Latin) – has had a career spanning over 50 years and is probably most well known for her roles in The Archers on BBC Radio 4 and ITV’s Coronation Street and Jewel in the Crown.

Obiora Abili (War Studies) – has just fi nished performing in Six Degrees of Separation at the Old Vic theatre in London.

Michael Morpurgo (English 1967) – popular author of children’s books, received critical acclaim when his book The War Horse was adapted for the stage.

Adewale Akinnouye-Agbaje (Law 1998) – most well known for his role as Mr Ekko in TV’s Lost.

Hanif Kureishi (Philosophy 1977) – shot to fame in 1985 for his screenplay My Beautiful Laundrette. His book The Black Album was successfully adapted for the National Theatre in 2009.

Derek Jarman (General Studies 1960) – avant garde fi lmmaker and artist, most well known for his fi lms Jubilee and Caravaggio, as well as for directing videos for bands such as The Smiths.

The King’s campuses have also made the occasional guest appearances in fi lms including: Nanny McPhee and The Big Bang – 2010Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day – 2008Rosalind Franklin: DNA’s Dark Lady – 2003The Race for the Double Helix/Life Story – 1987

King’s student Vickki Harmer has been providing expert advice to writers at Coronation Street.

A specialist nurse, Vicky was asked by Breakthrough Breast Cancer to work with television’s Coronation Street team. As part of her role Vickki, along with Dr Emma Pennery, worked with researchers and

producers to create accurate storylines and details for a lead character’s (Sally) diagnosis and treatment.

She also had to read the scripts and provide feedback on factual accuracy.

Previously Vickki has provided advice to script writers for The Archers on BBC Radio 4.

Last November saw the 17th annual KCL Charity Diwali Show take place at the Royal Festival Hall.

Showcasing some of the best student talent at King’s, guests were treated to an array of show-stopping dance, music

and catwalk numbers, with the aim of representing the best of British culture through a fusion of Eastern and Western acts.

Led by KCL Charity Diwali Show committee the show was devised, choreographed and performed entirely by King’s students. More than 200 students were involved in the show, which included performances from KCL Breakin’; Dance Soc and Women’s Acapella Singing Society.

‘This year's show was an explosion of colour, lights, music and dance that electrifi ed the stage – it just gets better every year!’ Annushka Amar, KCLSU.

Yet another KCL Charity Diwali Show spectacular!

In an eff ort to reduce their carbon footprint the King’s Students’ Union have changed the lighting in Tutu’s,

their main event venue. The lights will be energy effi cient and motion sensitive,

meaning they only turn on when the venue is in use. This has reduced their emissions by a massive 21.6 tonnes a year! Roughly equivalent to 10 return trips from London to New York!

Last November saw the 17th annual KCL Charity Diwali Show take place at the Royal Festival Hall.

Showcasing some of the best student talent at King’s, guests were treated to an array of show-stopping dance, music

and catwalk numbers, with the aim of representing the best of British culture through a fusion of Eastern and Western acts.

Led by KCL Charity Diwali Show committee the show was devised, choreographed and performed entirely by King’s students. More than 200 students were involved in the show, which included performances from KCL Breakin’; Dance Soc and Women’s Acapella Singing Society.

‘This year's show was an explosion of colour, lights, music and dance that electrifi ed the stage – it just gets better every year!’ Annushka Amar, KCLSU.

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Strand Campus 'Hall of Fame'

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