CHENNAI: The Centenary celebration building to be built at Queen Mary’s College campus to mark the completion of 100 years of the institution will begin soon as the alumni handed over `10 lakh towards the building work during the centenary celebrations on Wednesday.
Tamil Nadu Governor K Rosaiah participated in the celebrations and released the centenary souvenir, the first copy of which was received by P Palaniappan, Minister for Higher Education.
The family of Dorothy de la Hey, Founder Principal of Queen Mary’s College, who served from 1914-1936 were present at the function.
Speaking to CE, Donald de la Hey, grand nephew of Dorothy de la Hey said, “this is my second visit to Chennai and I came here to trace the history of our family, but nothing much has been found. I am yet to find someone who can share my grandfather Clement de la Hey’s story, from when he was the Vice Principal of Newington College, and that of my grand aunt Dorothy de la Hey’s days here. I was very young and I don’t remember much from my grand aunt’s days here, but I feel very proud to be among this gathering, which my aunt developed. She would be happy about this,” he added.
Governor Rosaiah, Minister P Palaniappan, Higher Education Secretary Apoorva, Vice Chancellor, University of Madras R Thandavan were also spoke on the occasion. The celebrations also saw the release of a coffee table book, a commemorative volume titled Celebrating a Century. Minister for Handloom and Textiles Gokula Indira, Minister for Sports and Youth Welfare M Sundarraj, Chennai Corporation Mayor Saidai Duraiswamy will participate in the upcoming events that will continue till July 16.
QMC is the third oldest women’s college in the country, and the oldest in Madras City was opened by Government in 1914 as the Madras College for Women.
R Akthar Begum, college principal, Meena Muthiah, founder of Chettinad Vidyasharam school and also alumnus of the college were also present on the occasion.