The Rebirth of the Percy Gee Building

History will be made at the University of Leicester on 17 June when generations of the Percy Gee family return to Leicester. The family already has strong links with the University as the current Students’ Union was named in honour of their forefather and one of the original founders of the University, Percy Gee.

This occasion will mark the start of a £15m transformation of one of the oldest buildings on campus into a stunning, modern, purpose-built Union that will serve the needs of a growing number of students.

The University of Leicester owes its existence to a group of early benefactors who promoted and supported the idea of establishing a university in the city of Leicester. One of these was Harry Simpson Gee who, in 1924, bequeathed £20,000 to the College in his Will; the equivalent sum today would be over £6.5 million. His sons Percy and Cecil continued the tradition of support to the College, which went far beyond monetary gifts to include service in many forms.

The University College of Leicester was founded in 1921, achieved university status in 1957 and became the University of Leicester.

From the first nine graduates of 1921, staff and student numbers remained small in the early years of the College but saw a dramatic increase between 1945 and the granting of university status in 1958. This rise in the student population created an urgent need for more accommodation for teaching and research; this led to the opening of the first new purpose-built University building in 1951. Until this period, students lacked their own facilities to conduct business or to house the wide range of social and sporting activities.

Consequently, when the second new building opened it became the permanent home of the Students’ Union. Described in the Leicester Evening Mail as “one of the most magnificent buildings in Leicester” it was opened by HM The Queen in May 1958 and named after benefactor Percy Gee, as a tribute to his tireless work and support in the establishment of a university in Leicester.

Percy Gee was a very popular figure. He served the University in one capacity or another for over forty years, as benefactor, Chairman of the University Council until 1959 and as the University’s first Pro-Chancellor. In the words of his colleagues, Professors Hunter and Simmons:

“One of the pro-chancellors is Mr H Percy Gee, who was among the founders of the College nearly forty years ago. During the whole of its development he has worked for it with a tireless energy and the utmost liberality. Since 1945 he has been Chairman of its Council. Such a long association as this must be rare in the history of universities. Mr Gee personifies the spirit of local patriotism that lay behind the foundation of the College.”

He also held a unique position in the affections and respect of the people of Leicester, where he did much to involve the city in the plans for a university in the city. He was awarded the Freedom of the City in 1950. On the occasion of the Royal Visit, the Leicester Evening Mail stated:

“What a joy it must have been for that grand and gracious old man to see the fulfilment of a so-long-hoped-for event which he, more than any other, has striven to achieve.”