The Rowbotham Fellowship

For many, the most amazing gift they give is a legacy in their will.

The Rowbotham Fellowship brings together donors who have pledged a legacy to the University and friends/relatives who wish to see the gift of their loved ones in action. 

This active Fellowship of around 450 supporters comes together every year for a special reception hosted by the Vice-Chancellor, followed by the Baggs Memorial Happiness Lecture. This unique event is made possible thanks to a generous gift by alumnus Thomas Baggs in his will. The annual lecture on creating happiness has been delivered by guests from Sir David Attenborough to Benjamin Zephaniah. 

The Rowbotham Fellowship is named for the donor whose gift created the clock face and bells of Old Joe. The Fellowship is symbolised by the clock face design and the heart shaped hands of the clock. Thomas Rowbotham, the local builder who built Old Joe, made a generous gift to create the clock face and bells, and his son Sir Samuel Rowbotham left the first legacy gift to the University in his will, to support medical research.

Find out more about making a legacy gift in your will.