Madras Christian College

The Madras Christian College, Chennai, South India, is one of the oldest colleges of the Indian subcontinent and was established in 1837. Currently, the college is affiliated to the University of Madras, but functions as an autonomous college from its campus in Tambaram, Chennai.

One of the finest campuses in Asia, it is famous for its deer and trees, and is distinguished with a beautiful lake encompassed within the campus. It also has the second largest scrub jungle in Asia. The college has four resident hostels called Halls each with their own cultures and activities. Yet the most famous of these traditions is their cultural programme called "Deep Woods" which attracts all students and is famous for their Rock Shows. The MRF Pace Foundation, Asia's largest cricket bowling training center, is located on the school's campus.

The College is associated with the Chennai Madras Christian College Higher Secondary School.

Prominent alumni of the MCC school include the former President of India, Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, T.N. Seshan - the 10th Chief Election Commissioner of India, the current finance minister of India P. Chidambaram, tennis star Leander Paes, Music director A. R. Rahman, Chess Grand master Viswanathan Anand and the former mayor of Chennai M.K. Stalin, as well as governors of states, vice chancellors of universities, top level politicians, academicians, civil servants, jornalists and personalities in the film industry.

History

Originally started in Georgetown in heart of Chennai as a Church of Scotland school, by Rev. John Anderson, the college grew from a small school to a 375 acre wooded campus through the guidance of William Miller. A qualified surgeon from London, Miller sold his properties in London to build the present campus in Tambaram.

Prominent amongst the British to lead the college was the Rev. Dr.A.J. Boyd who led the college for 16 years, continuing after India's independence in 1948. It is said that Dr. Boyd knew each of his students personally, as illustrated from General Sundarji's autobiography where he writes that when he wanted to join the army and wanted to discontinue his studies, Dr. Boyd told him not to as he thought that he will end up as a good doctor than a good soldier).

After Dr. Boyd, Mr. McPhail became the principal, and was succeeded by the first Indian principal, Dr. Chandran Devanesan who was the principal for a decade affectionately called "The Devanesan Decade". The current principal of the college is Dr. V.J.Philip.

Alumni

The Alumni of the college are spread throughout the world. Even decades after passing out of the college, the alumni maintain contacts with each other through various chapters of the Alumni organisation located in national and international level.Some noted Alumnus of MCC include:
*M.Subbraya Aiyar Lawyer and Philanthropist
*Malcom Adhiseshaiah - Educationist
*Gen. K Sundarji - Former chief of army staff
*K.M.Vinoo Mammen - Chairman & MD, MRF
*Walter Isaac Dawaram IPS - Former DGP, Tamilnadu
*Vijaykumar IPS - ADGP-STF, Tamilnadu
*Gemini Ganesan - Veteran Tamil film actor
*Ambai - Writer
*T.N. Seshan - Former Chief election commissioner
*Prakash Karat - Gen.Sec, CPI-M
*Pratap Pothen - Film director and Actor
*Saikumar - Kannada Actor
*Srirangam Srinivasarao (Sri Sri)- Revolutionary telugu poet
*M.M. Rajendran, Former Governor of Orissa.
*Indra Nooyi - Pepsico President and CFO
*Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan - Former President
* A.L. Mudaliar - academic leader
*Dr. Raja Ramanna - Nuclear scientist
*T. T. Krishnamachari - former Finance Minister
*Jay Menon - Venture Capitalist

External links

* www.mccalumni.org MCC Alumni Association website
* Deepwoods 80s — A Campus Walk Down Memory Lane
* MCC - Class of 81 ReUnion