He joined students who have been looking back to the future at a celebration event to mark One Year at One Elmwood which reflected on the importance of a Students’ Union and student support since the early days of the first Union in the 60s, all through the years of civic unrest and violence in Belfast, to the comprehensive student support provided through One Elmwood today and into the future.

Speaking the event, Congressman Kennedy said: “From the very difficult days at the beginning of the Troubles, right through years of conflict and heartache, Queen’s Students’ Union provided a place of support and security for the many students who passed through the university. It is delightful to see this amazing bright new hub take shape at Queen’s, providing a variety of support to students through their time at university as they work towards a bright future.”

Queen’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Ian Greer said that the new building has become a hub for students in Belfast with half a million people passing through its doors in the past year. He said: “From the initial ideas to the finishing touches on the  social staircase, it took thousands of hours and hundreds of people to bring this building to life. Every day, the building is buzzing with hundreds of students as they grab a coffee, plug in their laptops for some quiet reading, get some valuable support or grab a gig in the Mandela.

“With almost 40,000 students provided with support from our Student Information Point over the past year and 200 each day getting support from the Pantry, One Elmwood has been a welcome and warm hub to many of our students, particularly during this particularly difficult financial time; and has become the go-to place for information, support, on the house breakfasts and free basic food.

“One Elmwood has been a very stable port during some very choppy waters and we look forward to developing this wonderful building to continue to deliver for the needs of our students.”

Speaking about the building and what it means for students, Student Union President Beth Elder added: “As home to the Students’ Union, the building is a vibrant social hub with a range of first-class venues, including the Mandela Hall, and shared spaces with enhanced opportunities for students and clubs and societies to meet, get involved in activities, and socialise.

The building also provides so many opportunities for students to engage with the Union’s representation, advice, student volunteering and entrepreneurship services helping students to make friends and developing their skills and experiences during their time at Queen’s.”

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