In its 175th year, the MCC continues to be a beacon of light with its lofty principles, guiding men and women in their educational pursuits.
An institution that has become synonymous with liberal education in this part of the country, the Madras Christian College, Tambaram, is at an epochal moment in its long history since it was founded in 1837. Straddling three centuries separated by the days of the East India Company to the smart phone era, MCC has taken the vicissitudes of time in its stride and is as committed to academic excellence and personality development as it was at its inception.
With the theme for the 175th year celebrations being ‘Celebrating history, Serving humanity', the principal, management, staff and students of the institution are striving with a vision to ensure the institution grows further. “We will be celebrating the 175th year of founding of MCC and 75th year of moving into the Tambaram campus. The alumni around the world are involved in the celebrations and actively raising funds to build the auditorium,” says principal Alexander Jesudassan. The vision for MCC is two-pronged: academic innovation and infrastructure development. This will be implemented without deviating from the original founding principles of MCC.
MCC kick-started its quartoseptcentennial celebrations on January 7, 2012, with an inaugural worship programme. Robert Willis, Dean of Canterbury, U.K., presided over the worship and blessed the glorious institution. It was Scottish missionaries who founded the MCC and therefore it was apt that he would bless the institution at the worship service. Also present on the occasion was Canon Ivor Smith-Cameron, former Chaplain to the Queen, U.K. To mark the occasion, a three-day exhibition on the history and heritage of the college was organised.
Located on 365 acres of sylvan scrub jungle in Tambaram, the college today has 6,000 students and 32 academic departments. The college union office-bearers and the core committee members (created for the 175th celebrations) are working round the clock to ensure that they organise two events per month throughout the year. The celebrations will culminate in a grand alumni meeting during the last week of December 2012.
The MCC has the pride of having well-balanced biodiversity on its campus. This tropical dry evergreen natural vegetation is one of the few green patches found on the east coast of India. The forest was allowed to regenerate naturally by giving simple protection. The campus has 150 species of birds and 75 species of butterflies listed.
“MCC provides liberal arts education to the youth of the country. The vision revolves around academic excellence, spiritual vitality and social relevance,” said Dr. Jesudassan, as he outlined the aims and objectives of the founders, whose values continue to drive this great institution. On how this vision is translated into action today, the principal said the college management encouraged introduction of new courses.
“Expanding and improving the infrastructural facilities and empowering the downtrodden are some of the needs envisioned by the founders in their mission for the college,” Dr. Jesudassan said.
The big leap in student strength in recent years has been made possible with the introduction of new courses through the self-financing stream. Dr. Jesudassan said students preferred MCC for its liberal arts education and former students chose to send their children to their alma mater.
“By offering self-financing courses since 1999 and infrastructural development and academic innovations, we have attracted students from all over the country and abroad, which has resulted in this transformation,” Dr. Jesudassan observed.
Elaborating on the importance of institutions such as MCC at a time when most young men and women preferred to take a short cut to careers by enrolling in professional courses, Dr. Jesudassan said the college continued to attract students from all over the country and abroad for its distinctive feature of designing studies that would result in the holistic development of an individual with adequate leadership qualities.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa will be the Guest of Honour at the 175th Graduation and College Day to be held on April 11. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and many other Cabinet Ministers, distinguished former students who had excelled in various walks of life will be taking part in different events to be held in the year-long celebrations. An international conference on higher education would also be held at the college, according to Dr. Jesudassan.
Keywords: MCC college, 175 years celebration
As an alumnus of this great institution, I was thrilled to read the series of articles on MCC. I was a student of the college from 1949 to 1953, and lived in St. Thomas' Hall. Except for the college, the Air Force Station and the Railway Quarters, Tambaram was a sleepy town.
The Legendary Dr. A.J. Boyd was the Principal then. His sharp intellect, wit and humor, and persuasive discipline provided excellent atmosphere for learning and developing social graces and good citizenship. May the college continue to uphold the great traditions bequeathed by the founders and men like Dr. Boyd and Mr. J.R. McPhail!
Best wishes to all MCC Guys (+ of course, girls) and the Profs. MCC lifestyle becomes a character of those who go through the good/memorable times at the campus and the Halls/Hostels. There is a uniqueness of self development within the campus and more interestingly within the yellow walls of the Halls/Hostels. Best wishes and thank you MCC - from Shiv (Toss) Seechurn 1975-79 Botany, Selaiyur
This article took me back to 70s where i have finished my Pre University
and Graduation. Even now feel proud to be a MCC guy. A great institute,
great staff with best atmosphere during that time for a new comer from
school. Hope the same conditions prevail now. ALL THE VERY BEST FOR
MCC TEAM TO THIS HISTORICAL EVENT.
Very proud to be a product of MCC (1982 Botany). Many many wonderful
memories...the freedom, the quality of education and peace and
tranquility..really really enjoyed my life there. I wish the Govt
protect those forests and innumerable flora and fauna and make it a
botanical garden/butterfly park or some sort.
I have pleasant memories of of MCC as a resident student (St. Thomas's Hall) Intermediate 1947-49 B.Sc. Honours Physics 1949-52 and cherish many friendships made there. There can be many points to criticise but I will say "nil nisi bonum"
It's a historic institution that has served generations of our students from across the country and beyond. Wishing the student community and their mentors further zeal, dedication and commitment in their noble mission. Congratulations to MCC.
"175" cheers for MCC!!!!....it jogged my memory back to the fun-filled
days i had spent at Heber Hall, while pursuing journalism in 2002.
Credit goes to the faculty for guiding me at every step. Today i am a
TOI senior correspondent at Bhubaneswar and I owe it completely to MCC.
MCC no doubt, is a great institution. However, nobody can deny the fact that it has turned into a hotbed of Malayali chauvinism. It is the only institution funded by the state government of Tamil Nadu where you would earn more respect if you don't speak Tamil. It is also common for Tamil speakers to be openly called as 'Pandi' in MCC. I have personally faced it many a times!
Some of the best years of my student life were spent at MCC. A great
institution with great teachers, great values and campus life like no
other. Congratulations on 175 years.
B.Com 1973 Batch Selaiyur Hall
As an old student of this great institution,studied during Dr.Chandran Devaneson's tenure, all I have is tremendous memories, of the wonderful and great time I had during my 4 years of study in Tambaram. Those 4 years truly prepared me for my future and the success I have had. I am very proud of MCC and congratulations on the 175th anniversary. Wow what an achievement!
MCC is an Institution.
MCC is living in our bodies till date.
This was the place what can be called Heaven on Earth.
We were nutured to live as good citizens of our country & the world.
With a principal like Chandran what more can weask.
Keep the flag high, we are proud to have passed through these portals.
B, Com 1973 Batch. Heber Hall.
The wooded campus owes much to the efforts of Ted Barnes and John P.Joshua, a botanist and zoologist team.
M C C gave not only academic education. It taught us to face the challenges and to reach the top. Many like me who entered MCC from villages as ignorents passed out with full of confidence to face he world. Even at the age of 60 i am proud to be called as an old student of MCC. Long Live MCC
" is one of the few green patches found on the east coast of India."
I do not agree with this assessment. Yes, in the Greater Chennai Area,
this may be one of the large green patches...but there are several green
patches all over eastern India.
What does show? MCC is still a colonial remnant and still trace their
origins and relevance to the colonialists. They can never be truly
Indian hence the X'tians shall always be politically and socially
irrelevant. A disgusted Christian.
For an old student of this magnificent institution it is indeed a very proud moment. This college taught me how to live, grow and succeed in the world honestly. Memories of the days spent in MCC are always fresh and exciting for a senior citizen like me even after 52 years.
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