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Fitzwilliam College, CambridgeFitzwilliam College is a college of the University of Cambridge. The college itself was founded in 1966, although its direct ancestor, the Non-Collegiate Students Board, dates back to 1869. This was a body which took students who could not afford to be members of a college and allowed them access to a Cambridge education. Based at Fitzwilliam House, opposite the Fitzwilliam Museum, a slow process of evolution moved this body forwards to itself becoming a college. Women undergraduates were first admitted in 1979. The main grounds of the College are sited off Huntingdon Road, towards the north-west of Cambridge. Its buildings are of contemporary design, in contrast to many of the University's other colleges. The first college courts and central building (comprising the library, dining hall, junior common room and bar) were completed in 1963 and were designed by Denys Lasdun. The original intention was for these buildings to constitute the 'back' of the college, and as funding became available, the college grew to the south, with New Court built in 1985, Wilson Court (1994), and finally 'completed' with Gatehouse Court (2003) giving the college a new frontage. The college surrounds the building called The Grove (1813) which has rooms for some fellows and graduates. The Chapel (1991) is noted as an excellent example of modern architecture. Notable alumni include former Chancellor of the Exchequer Norman Lamont, Cricketer Derek Pringle, late singer/songwriter Nick Drake, the prominent historian David Starkey, and Lee Kuan Yew, the former prime minister of Singapore. Fitzwilliam College (usually called 'Fitz') is seen by many as one of the more opening and welcoming colleges, mostly because it is less popular with the traditional Cambridge elite, being a little away from the main tourist centre, and with rather less imposing architecture. Instead the membership is often state school based, usually comprising around 70–75% of undergraduates. 'Fitztheatre', the drama society whose membership is drawn from the 'hill' colleges, is based at Fitzwilliam's auditorium, one of the largest and best equipped in the University, newly opened in 2004. Sports teams play a large part in college life; the college is particularly strong in football. There are also a number of musical and academic societies. The college is also well-known for its beautiful gardens, which are excellently kept all year around.
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