Former principal of Dartford College awarded honorary degree
Margaret Chamberlain, former Principal of Dartford College of Physical Education, one of the institutions that came together to form today's University of Greenwich, was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Education (HonDEd) on Wednesday October 21, 2009.
She became Principal of Dartford College in 1962. Dartford, founded by Madame Martina Bergman Osterberg in 1885, was the first training college in England for women wishing to teach physical education. When Margaret started there were 150 students and 18 staff. When she left in 1975, the college had more than trebled in size to 543 students and 53 staff.
Margaret Chamberlain introduced a general teaching course and oversaw the construction of new buildings, including a swimming pool, sports hall, specialist dance studios and accommodation blocks. She also brought the College to the point of a merger with Thames Polytechnic which became the University of Greenwich.
After studying at King’s College, London, she started her career teaching in primary and secondary education in Grimsby during the Second World War and then in Hackney where the blitz, doodle bugs and bomb shelters were part of daily life.
In the late 1940s Margaret took up a post at Rolle Teacher Training College in Exmouth. From there she was headhunted, by the colonial service, for what would turn out to be one of the most significant posts in her life, and a 12 year stay in Africa developing women’s education.
Her first base was a traditional hut made of mud and thatch, with various local creatures routinely falling through the open roof. There were many other adventures during this time including saving an abandoned lion cub and talking down a gunman who held up her car on the road.
Chris Philpott, Head of the School of Education & Training at the University of Greenwich, made the traditional eulogy of praise says: “Margaret is a role model, not only for those women whose lives she touched, but for us all. She has made an important difference, to the education of women in Africa and in this country. Here in the School of Education & Training we carry on the traditions of Margaret Chamberlain at Dartford College through the teaching of Physical Education and Sport at our Avery Hill campus.”
After leaving Dartford College she worked for the Overseas Appointments Department of the British Council and for the Royal College of Nursing, training nurses from overseas to become sister tutors.
Since 1975 she has been President of the Bergman Osterberg Union, the association of ex-students and staff of Dartford College of Physical Education.
Margaret Chamberlain’s honorary doctorate was presented by Lord Hart, Chancellor of the University of Greenwich to Anne Stuart, Chair of the Bergman Osterberg Union who accepted the award on her behalf.
Chris Philpott, Head of the School of Education & Training at the University of Greenwich, presented the award to Margaret Chamberlain the following day.
Anne Stuart was joined by over 120 graduating students from the School of Education & Training at the ceremony in the Chapel of St Peter and St Paul at the Old Royal Naval College.
Honorary degrees are awarded to individuals of distinction who have made a major contribution to the work of the university, or who have earned prominence for activities associated more widely with education, business, culture, creative work and public service.
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Photos of Margaret Chamberlain and Anne Stuart (pictured on the University website) are available on request from Public Relations.
For images and further information, contact:
Nick Davison
Public Relations
University of Greenwich
Tel: 020 8331 8092
Email: n.a.p.davison@gre.ac.uk