A Quarter Century of the Newman Institute Celebrated on 4 September 2026
No one feels old at 25. The same could be said of the Newman Institute. On 4 September, our university college celebrated its 25th anniversary. We are still young enough to be at the beginning of our story. We have not yet acquired the weight or seriousness that perhaps characterise institutions with a hundred years of history behind them.
Although we still feel very much at the beginning of our story, we want to take a moment to look back and celebrate what has been: all the stimulating courses that have been taught, all the encounters between people that have taken place, all the new ideas that have emerged through studies, and all the old assumptions that have been left behind.
On 4 September, we celebrated all that has been, and now we look ahead with hope and confidence to the years to come.
Photos from the 25th Anniversary Celebration
Anniversary Mass at St Lars Catholic Church in Uppsala
An anniversary Mass was celebrated at St Lars Catholic Church.
A Light Lunch in the Newman Institute Courtyard
The weather was on our side as guests were served a light lunch and cake in the courtyard of the Newman Institute.
Anniversary Ceremony in the Auditorium
President Philip Geister SJ welcomed the guests and spoke about the history of the Newman Institute and its continuing mission to educate people to be “people for others”. Swedish actress Pia Johansson read from the works of John Henry Newman. Among the guests and speakers were Archbishop Julio Murat, County Governor Stefan Attefall, Anders Hagfeldt, President of Uppsala University, Jesuit Provincial Thomas Hollweck, and Martin Brozek, Chairman of the Rikssalen Foundation. Uppsala Chamber Choir enriched the ceremony with a piece composed by E. Elgar
Five Parallel Activities
During the anniversary celebrations, visitors could choose from a range of activities taking place throughout the Newman Institute.
Alumni Interviews
In the studio, Erik Helmersson interviewed alumni Jonas Eklund, Gabriel Bar Sawme, Benedikta Lagervret, Edel Irén Lappin and Dag Heinrichowski.
What Is a Jesuit University College?
In the library, Director of Studies Erik Åkerlund spoke about the Jesuit order and its long tradition of education.
Forest and Bees
In the courtyard, Natuschka Lee, President of the Newman Student Union, spoke about the beehives that were established in Newman’s Forest during the summer. A few bees even joined us to make an appearance in a securely sealed container.
Film Screening
A newly produced film was shown in the auditorium, featuring interviews with teachers, staff, students and alumni of the Newman Institute.
Script, direction, cinematography and editing by Ritha Eriksson, Communications Officer at the Newman Institute. The interviewers who did not appear on camera were Natuschka Lee and Andreas Mazetti. The aerial footage was filmed by Linkfilm in Uppsala.
(The film is in Swedish with English subtitles. Watch here by clicking “Play”.)
Art Exhibition
Artist Sanne Frostensson presented one of her artworks outside the chapel. It was the first part of her hand-bound artist’s book, Nysta spår, created from essays and papers she wrote during her time at the Newman Institute. By covering most of the words with correction tape, she transforms the original texts into a form of poetry.
The Closing of the Anniversary Celebration
In the auditorium, Camerata Englund performed a beautiful piece of music specially composed for the anniversary by composer and choir director Gunnar Englund.
The celebration concluded with silversmith Fernando Fabris presenting the President with an academic chain that he had created especially for the occasion.
