What’s the Big Idea? Sir Ronald Cohen on Big Society Capital

Charitable Status Ian McGregor shakes up the third sector

Thirty Years of ExVac The student-run charity is still full of life THE EXETER COLLEGE MAGAZINE ISSUE 15 AUTUMN 2012 WWW.EXETER.OX.AC.UK/ALUMNI

Best of British Nick Hurd MP on the philanthropic habits of a nation

PLUS: Aung San Suu Kyi in the Fellows’ Garden, Alison Brooks presents the Third Quad, record breaking philanthropy at Exeter and Oxford, Exonian tops the charts, and more... wc el ome College News Fur nd aising Turn Up for the Books O n the Money Tessa Stanley Price | 34 Joanna Bowring | 4 Editorial Call Me, Maybe Lara Bryan | 35 Is it All the Fault of the Bankers? Top of the Class Emily Watson | 36 Rector’s Sang Lee | 5 A ll’s Well that Ends Well Tim Ashley | 37 What Should We Save? Lucy Sackville | 5 Ma tTHEW Baldwin, Thirty Years of ExVac The Origins of Sex Freya Hadrill | 6 Kate Mathieson | 38 Communications Great European Commemorated Officer Daniela Omlor | 7 Letter Capg m ai n Is German Renaissance Literature Misogynistic? Campaign Update istorians might look back on this as the Fra nCES Cairncross, Rector Mark Houghton-Berry | 39 Age of Austerity. It is certainly a term Helen Watanabe-O’Kelly | 8 H Building the Future Alison Brooks | 40 that is used often in the media, parliament A lbert Camus: The Outsider and, one might imagine, a good many Alexander Walker | 10 accounts departments. Fishing for Answers Xinyuan Zheng | 11 Alum ni We hear all too much about sustained Taking the ‘A’ Train Michael Dunne | 12 A Prize for John Kufuor economic stagnation and public spending Timothy Davies | 42 cuts, and the third sector strains to cover Student Past Times Jennifer Bandi | 13 A ftershocks Jamee Elder the inevitable gaps. Life After Oxford Michael Mayo | 14 and Chris Simpson | 43 What a relief and a pleasure then to be The First 700 Years Hannah Parham | 14 able to bring such a bounty of good news Good Karma Peter Mann | 44 State of the Arts Naomi Charatan, to you. This edition of Exon is on the theme Touching Bass Michael Lisanti | 44 Jessica Palmarozza | 15 of philanthropy. Such is the goodwill and Mad Dogs and Englishmen endeavour of so many Exonians that this hilanthropy is the theme of this issue of Exon. It is, of To give us the taxes levied on a few poor peasants Sports Ben Abdoo, Chris Bennett, Spencer Crawley | 45 year’s magazine could have made a book. course, the theme of much that happens in College – may hardly count as philanthropy, but Stapeldon also Nick Fletcher, Rory Antcliff | 16 P O lympic Torch in Exonian Hands From Westminster Palace to the Kingdom and of the past 698 years. But in the following pages, we gave us properties in Oxford which secured additional Charlie Howell | 46 of Bhutan, we find Exonians hoping to are ranging more broadly. With good reason: philanthropy income and accommodation, with the specific and Unv i ersity News make a difference. is ever more important for the survival of many institutions relatively novel intention of supporting a group of Pilot Perils Brian Phillips | 46 A ung San Suu Kyi Honoured There are record-breaking gifts to the that once depended on taxpayers’ cash. impecunious young men through their studies. Moreover, at Encaenia Matthew Baldwin | 18 University to celebrate, and Exeter can be Exonians are involved with philanthropy at many each of the subsequent centuries brought additional B eack S ction proud of its own progress as the Walton levels. Right at the top, Nick Hurd MP (1981, Literae gifts that helped Exeter to survive. Perhaps the most Tomorrow’s World Adam Ward | 19 # Oxfordtrending Alison Edwards | 47 Street development takes large strides Humaniores) is Minister for Civil Society, after spending remarkable story is that of the building of the Chapel, Ertegun’s Legacy Matthew Stokes | 20 forward and the Annual Fund sets new 19 months in the role of Shadow Minister for Charities, that soaring work of Gilbert Scott, in the late 1850s. O ld Members’ Association £75m for Oxford’s Poorest Students benchmarks for success. Social Enterprises and Volunteering. At similarly dizzying The whole College community took part in the Kinsey Forsdyke | 48 Gitanjali Joseph | 20 Sir Ronald Cohen discusses the value heights is Sir Ronald Cohen (1964, PPE), already fundraising, with many small donations from Old Published Exonians | 49 The Language of the Heart of social investment, while Chris Arnold regarded as the father of venture capital in Britain, and Members, roughly a year’s income from each of the Eleanor Franzen | 21 The Year in Pictures | 50 espouses the merits of Giving What We now also widely seen as the father of social investment. Fellows, £1,000 bequeathed by the Rector, Joseph Can. Hannah Lownsbrough considers the Both write in this issue, as do several Exonians who are Richards, and a gift of the ante-chapel screen from power of online campaigning and Jamee trying to harness philanthropy in more modest but equally the JCR. Fae tures Elder describes how the welcome she important ways to change the world for the better. Today, our continued existence and the welfare of our Think BIG Sir Ronald Cohen | 22 received at Exeter at a time of need made For this college, philanthropy has always been students are more dependent on the generosity of Old an indelible impression on her. essential to our continued existence. Indeed, as I have Members and friends than at any time since those difficult The Best of Britain? Nick Hurd | 24 There is much to celebrate besides worked on Exeter College: The First 700 Years, the mediaeval years. But we also live at a time when our Old Charitable Status Ian McGregor | 26 Exonians’ charity. It was a difficult year collection of history, Members and friends are more generous than ever before Back to the Future on the water for Exeter’s rowers, but the anecdotes and in our history. Therefore the debates on philanthropy, Frances Cairncross | 28 hockey, football and rugby clubs enjoyed recollections of Exeter on the best ways to harness it and the constraints that success on dry land. Xinyuan Zheng shows that we will publish society should put on it, are of great importance to our Charity not Aid I have marvelled at Chisanga Puta-Chekwe | 30 how the research of Exeter’s students can in October 2013, I future. Indeed, this is true not just of Exeter but of many have far-reaching ramifications, contributing have marvelled at the other British institutions, as we continue to pay down our A Social Medium the extent to which to our understanding of the world’s past extent to which the huge public debt but also face more calls on government Hannah Lownsbrough | 31 the College has been and future. And the feature on Published College has been built spending from an ageing population. Giving What We Can Exonians includes new books from Martin built on the generosity on the generosity of So we also hope that our students learn, during Christopher Arnold | 32 Amis, Philip Pullman, Will Self, Tariq Ali and of individuals for individuals for nearly their time at Exeter, the importance of giving back to Faith, Hope and Charity Stanley Johnson, and could have included nearly seven centuries seven centuries. society even more than they receive during their time Hugh Shilson-Thomas | 33 many, many more. If we look for a here at College. One of Exeter’s marvels is ExVac, run I hope you will find much to hearten precise foundation entirely by our students and in existence for 30 years, you in these pages. Times may be austere, date for the College, it helping many generations of Oxfordshire children and but at Exeter enterprise, dedication and is not one on which we teaching Exonians much about the needy and what they Editors: Matthew Baldwin & Frances Cairncross | Editorial Intern: Gitanjali Joseph compassion abound. received a royal charter or bought a building. It is the date – 4 can do for others. The articles in this issue show the Produced by Matter&Co April 1314 – when we received our first gift. For it is the date astonishingly wide variety of ways in which Exonians Designer: Sarah Blick | Assistant Designers: Syd Hausmann, Sarah Gill [email protected] of the document under which Bishop Walter de Stapeldon have practised philanthropy, with their time, ideas Production Intern: James Misson secured for us the tithes of the parish of Gwinear in Cornwall. and money. Without the stream of income that this gift provided, the Our founder, Walter de Stapeldon, would have enjoyed College could not have come into existence. reading this issue of Exon. I hope that you will too. www.matterandco.com

2 EXON Autumn 2012 www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni EXON Autumn 2012 3 College News A Da y

in Is it All the Fault of the Bankers?

the Turn Up for

L Exeter’s lecturer in economics welcomes Lord Burns’s i fe frank discussion of the financial crisis from a banker’s o

f perspective Sage n Le , Lecturer in Economics

a L the Books i b Joan n a Bowring

r reveals that Exeter’s library holds ar more than just books as she looks back on her

i n 26 October 2011, Lord Burns, Eventually, banks ran into problems a

n first year as the College’s librarian OChairman of Santander UK, delivered and their exposure to these products a speech entitled ‘Is it all the fault of the made their positions highly correlated. Bankers?’ for the Exeter College Seminar This accelerated the pace and magnitude for Macroeconomics, which is generously of the downfall. sponsored by Santander. Lord Burns described how bank aving previously managed the library In addition to being a repository of The library will have more reader places, Lord Burns brought a banker’s shareholders and senior bankers had lost Hservice at the British Museum, I rare treasures, the library is a working better study spaces, and improved IT perspective on the causes of the recent huge sums as a consequence of the crisis, became Exeter’s college librarian in library for undergraduates and contains facilities. We will have revitalised stock, a crisis. He argued that the widespread a fact not always widely appreciated by September 2011. This was a particularly over 40,000 books in all subjects studied more efficient way of arranging the books, use of financial innovations was rooted in the general public. He expressed support exciting time to join, as Exeter is planning at Exeter. It is open 24 hours a day and exhibition areas so that we can show a belief that better financial engineering for the recommendations contained in the an extensive refurbishment of its library. (which poses its own challenges for the College members, alumni and the public can redistribute risk and make the report of the Vickers Commission, but was At Exeter I found a beautiful Victorian librarian) and is constantly busy. In Trinity what we have. system safer in a way not previously concerned that the reform of the banking library in the Fellows’ Garden. The Term reader spaces are in high demand, I am of course also involved in all possible. The behaviour of rating sector may be proceeding too quickly, library holds amazing special collections especially the individual desks looking out the usual librarian tasks – buying books, agencies also played a role. arguing that there will inevitably be knock- including the 14th century Bohun Psalter over the College gardens. cataloguing, helping readers – and Lord Burns described how the on effects on the economy if banks have (the prayer book of two English queens), There are plenty of challenges. The sometimes the unusual – phoning the rat combination of competitive pressures to adjust and adapt too quickly. 30,000 rare books and over 100 library is bursting at the seams, and man when our uninvited guests get a bit and a lack of financial regulation pushed The talk was well received, with the medieval manuscripts. I also discovered hardly has room for one more book. The troublesome under the floor. traditional banks into off balance-sheet candour of Lord Burns appreciated that Exeter possesses William Morris’s infrastructure is sadly crumbling as the activities in new financial products. by all. spectacles, Sir Hubert Parry’s robes and, stonework occasionally falls into the curiously, three quarters of a skeleton garden and rats make their homes under in a box helpfully marked ‘Skeleton’. the floor. The 19th century heating is The librarian is also responsible for either on (boiling) or off (freezing) and the College archive, which lies behind a at least one of the windows cannot be door so heavy it is opened with its own touched lest it falls entirely out of its custom-made wooden lever. Highlights frame. It looks totally charming, but I feel of the archive include medieval account for the students crammed into the small What Should We Save? rolls, tally sticks, buttery books and lots study spaces. of photographs of hearty chaps drinking, I am now planning for the refurbishment dining, and beagling as well as enjoying of the library, which will include the move Preserving Britain’s heritage means facing up to some a lot of other sporting activities. If you of all the special collections to Walton challenging questions Lcyu Sackville, Research Fellow have been a student of Exeter College Street and the complete refurbishment of the archive will bear a trace of you. the Gilbert Scott building at Turl Street. in Medieval History

I discovered that Exeter possesses William embership of the National Trust mostly with the preservation of natural note how difficult it is to preserve heritage Morris’s spectacles, Sir Mhas reached unprecedented levels and historical sites that were under threat. sites in London because the cost of under Dame Fiona Reynolds, the Trust’s She then traced its development through property there is outside the Trust’s scope Hubert Parry’s robes and, outgoing Director-General and Master the middle of the 20th century, when it of what they can sensibly spend. curiously, three quarters elect of Emmanuel College, Exeter’s sister took on the challenge of containing the At the same time, Dame Fiona was college in Cambridge. As she spoke to suburban spread of new towns, while clear about the importance of maintaining a of a skeleton in a box the title ‘What should we save?’ as part also preserving the large family houses balance between the local and the national, helpfully marked ‘Skeleton’ of the Rector’s seminar series in May, it that could no longer be maintained in the and between accessibility and historical was easy to see why. The well-attended changing economic and social climate. integrity. In all this she made it clear talk engaged the audience not only with Dame Fiona demonstrated the ways that the Trust’s continuing commitment the history of the Trust, but also its future in which the Trust is sensitive to the to the preservation of the natural and direction and developing mission. changing expectations of the public and human past, and its recent engagement She began with the Trust’s origins in its members as to what can and should with government policy, are rooted in the the 19th century, when it was concerned be saved. It was particularly interesting to charity’s traditions.

4 EXON Autumn 2012 www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni EXON Autumn 2012 5 College News The Origins of Sex Great European

A new book by Fellow in History Dr Dabhoiwala examines sexual attitudes throughout history and suggests our current sensibilities may be rooted in the Commemorated Enlightenment Fry e a Hadrill (2010, History) As a blue plaque is unveiled to commemorate author, scholar and ambassador Salvador de Madariaga, Da nIELa Omlor, queen sofia research fellow, explores his link to Exeter College The Origins of Sex also draws on issues of sex and gender, focusing the reader’s attention on a crucial reversal in depictions of the sexes and a reformulation of gender identities. Dr n October 2011 a blue plaque was Soon after, he became the Spanish Dabhoiwala argues that, whereas prior to Iunveiled at Box Tree House, 3 St ambassador in Paris and a member of the 18th century women had commonly Andrew’s Road, Old Headington the Spanish Delegation to the League been presented as the more lustful and commemorating Salvador de Madariaga. of Nations in Geneva, of which lascivious sex, they were increasingly A writer and diplomat, Madariaga was he was later elected president. SALVADOR portrayed as chaste and even asexual. also intimately connected to Exeter During the Spanish Civil War his Meanwhile men assumed the mantle College, having been its first King family resided in Locarno, but de of lust and promiscuity. In considering Alfonso XIII Professor of Spanish. returned to Oxford during the the construction of gender identity and Born in A Coruña in 1886, Madariaga Second World War. Although MADARIAGA sexuality within a social framework, The graduated from the prestigious École he no longer held an official Origins of Sex is a vital study in the Supérieure des Mines in Paris as a post, Madariaga’s influence 1886-1978 growing field of historical work which mining engineer in 1911. Upon his return in Oxford in the post-war examines discourse surrounding the body to Spain he was in charge of the electric years was considerable. A and its role in the construction of gender signalling on a line between Orense and great believer in Europe, identities and experience. Alicante. However, engineering was not he founded the College Statesman Talking with great lucidity and his vocation. In his spare time, he would of Europe in Bruges in Scholar and Writer enthusiasm at the Sheldonian Theatre mingle with the leading intellectuals of 1949 and was one of the on 13 May, as part of a series of talks to his day, such as the philosopher principal authors of the 1947 Dr Dabhoiwala introduces his book as part of the anniversary lecture series mark Exeter College’s 700th anniversary, Ortega y Gasset and the future Oxford Manifesto, setting out lived here Dr Dabhoiwala stipulated that what was Republican Prime Minister Manuel the political ideals of the Liberal 1929-1931: 1940-1974 his February saw the publication of modern sexual attitudes, Dr Dabhoiwala new and most crucial was the distinction Azaña. Madariaga also met the novelist International. TThe Origins of Sex by Dr Faramerz posits that modern sexual mores are the between the public and the private Peréz Galdós and the playwright and In 1942 he was elected an Dabhoiwala, Exeter’s Fellow in Modern product of a ‘sexual revolution’ which with regards to sexual behaviour and writer Valle-Inclán, amongst others. Honorary Fellow of Exeter College, History. It traces the shifts in sexual took place during the Enlightenment, in attitudes. Sexual behaviour, from being Desiring a literary career for himself, followed by the award of a DCL honoris behaviour and attitudes in the Western which the ongoing revisions of social and the responsibility of the community and Madariaga took charge of the pro-British causa in 1966. Following Franco’s death, world and demonstrates how these religious norms undermined the notion the subject of public policy, became war propaganda during the First World Madariaga was finally admitted to the changes shaped society today and the of an absolute source of morality, which a private matter. Despite this change, War (in which Spain was neutral). From Seat M in the Royal Spanish Academy to At Exeter the Don Salvador de principles of sexual freedom and privacy had previously upheld the adherence to a sexual attitudes and an interest in sex 1916 to 1921 Madariaga was the London which he had been elected in 1936. He Madariaga Fund continues to enable which underpin it. fixed code of sexual practice. have remained in the public sphere – a correspondent for several Spanish died in Locarno on 14 December 1978. students to travel both to and from Spain, The Origins of Sex illustrates how, However, The Origins of reality illustrated by the interest in this newspapers until he moved to the press Portugal and Latin America. in pre-modern society, the Church Sex deviates from much related very book. Similarly, public fascination with office of the League of Nations in Madariaga is not only remembered as established and reinforced the notion historiography, which tends to explore the private lives and sexual exploits of Geneva and New York. the author of Englishmen, Frenchmen, that sex outside marriage was immoral, singular issues or focus upon more celebrities – dissected in magazines and Becoming weary of his duties, Don Spaniards (1928), an influential analysis illicit and criminal. The result was a isolated cases of study. Dr Dabhoiwala autobiographies – exposes our continuing Salvador was approached by an elector of Don Quixote and biographies of system of vigorous sexual policing, also identifies a fundamental transition curiosity about the sexual activities of for the newly founded King Alfonso chair Columbus, Hernán Cortés and Simón censorship and punishment. Undertaken in the Western outlook on sex as the others. In this respect, our culture is at Oxford University and accepted the At Exeter the Don Bolívar; his memory is still alive among both by orthodox authorities and self- product of more tangible changes. In his not far removed from Dr Dabhoiwala’s election in 1928. Madariaga lectured Salvador de Madariaga the Fellows of Exeter College. Emeritus regulating grass-roots communities, view, the explosive bursts of urbanisation description of the contemporary interest on Cervantes during his tenure but only Fund continues to enable Fellow Dr Brian Stewart is still haunted sexual discipline in the public sphere and the modifications to the structures in the sexual exploits of Kitty Fisher, the remained in post for a brief period. by the Sunday High Table interaction served to uphold the social order and of social organisation and power made 18th century courtesan. Regardless of the When Spain became a Republic on students to travel both to between Madariaga and Sir Alister Hardy, was viewed as a guarantor of salvation. the regulation of vice and illicit sex both debate over where the division between 14 April 1931, Madariaga learned during and from Spain, Portugal ‘conducting two parallel monologues, At the turn of the 18th century this more difficult and less desirable. Rapidly public and private ought to lie, The Origins a lecture tour of the Americas that he and Latin America syntactically a conversation, but system crumbled, giving way to notions expanding London was the epicentre of of Sex presents a forceful argument for was to be the Spanish ambassador to semantically completely independent. of sexual liberty and privacy and a change, the reverberations of which were sexual freedom as a fundamental pillar of Washington. He swiftly returned to Oxford No doubt this had gone down well at the greater public acceptance of sexual felt as far afield as Western Europe and modern society and a key assumption of to give a lecture on the Second Spanish League of Nations, but I am not surprised pleasure. Investigating the genesis of North America. the modern mind. Republic and to tender his resignation. that the Republic fell!’

6 EXON Autumn 2012 www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni Image: The plaque at Box Tree House, 3 St Andrew’s Road, Old Headington www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni EXON Autumn 2012 7 College News ope n tutorial Is German Renaissance Literature Misogynistic? A woodcut depicting Penthesilea from Von den sinnrychen erluchten wyben

Exeter’s Fellow in German reveals the Renaissance temptresses, witches out to capture a man nobility called Adels Spiegel (Mirror for and bare-chested women warriors that writers revered and reviled who would sleep with Nobles, 1591), in which the last section them and father a child is devoted to female nobility. After 12 H elen Watanabe-O’Kelly, Fellow in German in order to maintain chapters listing virtuous and learned the Amazon race. The women from all periods including his most famous Amazon mother (!), he comes, in the 13th section, is Penthesilea, who to the warriors. appears in Giovanni He justifies their existence by Boccaccio’s catalogue means of an argument which, at first of notable women, sight, appears to plead for equality of Albrecht Dürer’s Die Hexe De claris mulieribus, opportunity for men and women. He says, written between 1361 and 1375. This for instance, that Socrates claimed that ome of the commonest depictions was translated into German by Heinrich you only had to teach women skills and Sof women in the 16th and 17th Steinhöwel and published in 1474 as Von they would be able to do anything that centuries show them in a very negative den sinnrychen erluchten wyben. a man does. If they were taught to fight, light. They were often portrayed as out Penthesilea appears in the text as a they could defend their country just as to gain power over men, going, of course, transgressive figure: the implication is well as men. Given that martial activity is against the God-given social order. Adam, that, if you allow a woman to go to war, noble, why should women be denied the after all, was created first. Women were all sorts of perversion will ensue and the chance to take part in this noble pursuit? also often represented as temptresses social order will break down. He goes on to give a detailed account who led men astray, as Eve and Delilah of all the warrior women he can think of did. Moreover, we should not forget that – including Asian and Eastern, Biblical, this is the period in which witch burnings African, English, Scottish, Swabian, were at their height. The Amazons were said Swiss, Italian, Greek, Slav and those from There is, however, another body of the New World. He considers virtually all writing in the same period that presents to live without men for these women to be good rulers who wage exceptional women who are strong and most of the year, to burn war well, keep order and build cities. But powerful. One example is the Amazons off one breast in order to the praise he heaps on them is because – a mythical group of women warriors they are so manly; they are exceptional made known to us by ancient writers use a bow and to ride with women who are practically men. This, of such as Homer, Aeschylus, Thucydides, the other breast bare course, undermines the idea that women Hippocrates, and Pliny. The Amazons are men’s equals. On the contrary: when were said to live without men for most they are at their most feminine, they are of the year, to burn off one breast in dangerous temptresses and witches; order to use a bow and to ride with the However, some Renaissance writers when they are their most admirable – other breast bare. They fought, captured found a lot to praise in the Amazons, as noble, strong, rational and steadfast – prisoners, took booty and were fearless. women who, in spite of their sex, exhibit why, then of course they are exhibiting By definition, the Amazons challenged manly virtues. One writer who does this so-called ‘masculine’ traits! The early standard notions of femininity and is Cyriacus Spangenberg (1528-1604). modern period had its own terms for such masculinity. Once a year they would go He wrote a huge work on the subject of a manly woman – Männin or Virago.

Peter Aubry III, Der Kampf um die Hosen

8 EXON Autumn 2012 www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni EXON Autumn 2012 9 College News

In the absence of a time machine, paleoclimatic research traces ancient climates by examining ‘paleoclimate proxies’ preserved in various geological Fishing for records. A good proxy can tell us about some aspects of the past climate, such as temperature, humidity, ocean salinity, and, in my case, patterns of ocean circulation. The combination of these different Answers aspects gives us a complete picture of what a climate looks like. Most importantly, Graduate researcher Xnyui an Zheng a good proxy can survive the prolonged geological processes that tend to blur (2009, Earth sciences) sinks his teeth pristine climatic information over time, into paleoclimatology such as decomposition and diffusion. Albert Camus: The proxies I am using to reconstruct ocean circulation in the Cretaceous Period are Neodymium isotopes preserved in fossilised fish teeth. Neodymium (Nd) isotopes have been proven to be powerful proxies for ocean circulation, because The Outsider different water masses have characteristic Nd isotopic values, which serve as fingerprints in the identification process. As part of his undergraduate research, Alex anDEr Walker (2008, Modern Seawater Nd was incorporated into fish Languages) investigates echoes of Judeo-Christian scripture in the works teeth very quickly when their corpses of novelist Albert Camus settled on the seabed, and has remained inert in their teeth for millions of years, buried under sediments.

n my final year of Modern Languages I the Mount. Camus appears to take on a be traced to the Bible, yet Camus adjusts Iwrote an extended essay on the work of prophetic voice as he calls for the land to them so that they might resonate with The study of the Cretaceous Albert Camus, the French-Algerian author be given back to the people – a statement both French and Arab citizens of a future Period can potentially and philosopher. My research began by at odds with his public stance, which held Algeria. In Actuelles III he attempts to looking at some of Camus’s later works, that the French colonisers were valuable resolve differences between France and provide an insight into future which are less typically studied for the to the Algerian community. Algeria. I decided that the terms of any warm climates undergraduate course. I was struck by how Frequently associated with Sartre’s such resolution would form the conclusion frequently Judeo-Christian scripture was existentialism, Camus comments in Le of my essay. brought into the work L’exil et le royaume, mythe de Sisyphe that the practice Many of Camus’s critics argued with the title alone referencing Adam and of religion is a form of philosophical that his ideas were belittled by the fact Eve’s removal from the Garden of Eden, suicide. Yet it appears that in his later that he spoke from a French-Algerian My colleagues, including researchers and the future kingdom of God. The short works, Camus looks to redefine Judeo- perspective. Each of these two sides Xinyuan Zheng prepares samples in the clean lab both from Oxford and from other stories themselves provide vignettes of Christian terms in light of Algerian shouted louder than the few who fought institutions, and I performed field work Camus’s étranger, the human who exists as politics. The second half of my essay the same battles as Camus. Moreover, his uch of our current knowledge about back to between 65m and 145m years in southern coastal areas of England to ‘other’. I focused in particular upon Janine introduced the idea of ‘kingdom’ and its opinion seems to have been undermined Mclimate change comes from the study ago. The Cretaceous Period was one of collect Cretaceous fish teeth which are of La Femme Adultère and Daru in L’Hôte. relation to Camus’s vision of Algeria’s by an optimism which ignores the political of paleoclimatology – the investigation of the warmest periods in Earth’s history, now locked in chalk. The white cliffs of Having considered these protagonists, I future. It is a contrast of the state of reality of his time. Yet despite such changes in climate which have taken place because the atmosphere contained a Dover, one of our sampling sites, is a

presented Exile at the outset of my essay exile, representing a chance for unity. political idealism, it remains surprising in the geological past. Paleoclimatology CO2 concentration which was four to perfect example of Cretaceous Chalk. as the constant condition of Camus’s I introduced Camus’s experiences of that Camus incorporates Judeo-Christian attempts to understand the underlying eight times higher than the present level. We then picked out fish teeth from rocks contemporary Algeria. In the stories of L’exil Algeria as seen through the eyes of Le ideas in hoping to create a kingdom that mechanisms which result in these changes. The study of this period can therefore with the aid of microscopes, often finding et le royaume, Camus describes his French premier homme’s Jacques Cormery. represents the Algerian people. Research into past climates provides potentially provide an insight into future only a few milligrams of fish teeth in characters as feeling opposed by the Jacques’s story is the fictional biography records of long-term variations in climate, warm climates. several kilograms of rocks! I separated barren and desolate Algerian landscape, of Camus’s childhood in Algeria, covering nearly the entire history of the Ocean circulation – the large-scale and purified the Nd from the fish teeth, compounded by the cultural divide between and as such presents the idealistic earth, laying down a baseline from which movement of seawater – is important and finally measured the isotopes on a the coloniser and the colonised. Daru feels childhood that would help foster Camus describes his French we can tell whether a change occurs within in regulating global temperature as it mass spectrometer. Some results have especially helpless as he refuses to side his own vision of a shared kingdom the natural variability. Therefore, research delivers heat from the tropics to higher already shown interesting features of with either, finding himself placed on a in Algeria. characters as feeling opposed by into past climates can contribute to our latitudes. A notable example is that of ocean circulation during the warmth of mountain top: a parallel with Camus’s own I went on to compare Camus’s the barren and desolate Algerian understanding of future climate change Northern Europe, which today is much the Cretaceous Period. Our results have intellectual position. From such heights, he political and literary views through and, more specifically, global warming. warmer than its latitude ought to suggest. revealed that circulation around Europe sees all yet can do nothing. analysis of Actuelles III: chroniques landscape, compounded by As a DPhil student in the field of This is largely due to the heat transported evolved throughout the period and its Further Judeo-Christian resonances algériennes, which identifies the the cultural divide between the paleoclimatology, my research concerns by the Gulf Stream. Reconstructing evolution drove and responded to climate arose in Le premier homme. An unfinished need for justice and a sense of coloniser and the colonised reconstructing ocean circulation in the ocean circulation is therefore always a change. In time, they will be submitted to work, many of his notes are appended, community. This provided ethical Cretaceous Period (the final stages of relevant, and indeed essential, part of journals such as Geology and Earth and one of which echoes the Sermon on imperatives whose source could the ‘Age of Dinosaurs’), which dates understanding past climates. Planetary Science Letters.

10 EXON Autumn 2012 www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni Photo: Albert Camus by Henri Cartier-Bresson www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni EXON Autumn 2012 11 College News Taking the Student Past Times The Holaday Scholar’s Oxford experience is enhanced ‘A’ Train by an unexpected return to a past life Jnnifee r Bandi (2011, Criminology and Criminal Justice) From the bars of New York City to the streets of New Orleans, the North American Travel Scholar goes coast to coast in search of the meaning of jazz M l iCHae Dunne (2008, Mathematics) efore even setting foot in this Bcity, I had received enough advice regarding what I ‘must do’ to ensure a complete Oxford experience to The combination of strong overwhelm even the most ambitious of personalities and sound life ast year I was lucky enough to receive have developed here instantly made sense: graduate students. I was told to become the 2011 North America Travel there was a beautifully relaxed and perspectives that overflowed L heavily involved with my college, go to Scholarship, supported by the generosity of optimistic attitude everywhere I looked, classy dinners and balls, develop ties from my teammates not Exeter alumni. My intentions were to exemplified when I was whisked straight off within my academic programme and take explore the music that made North America to the Midsummer Mardi Gras parade on only helped me adapt to life advantage of England’s position as a – jazz – and the strong relationship that has arrival. Having arrived trumpetless, I was in Oxford, but challenged gateway to Europe by travelling as much developed between the two. Over the soon handed pieces of brass and getting as possible. As a tall athlete, I was also me to grow as a person course of six weeks, I wove a path from involved on stages, bars and living rooms all advised to join a rowing team as soon coast to coast, beginning in Boston and, 15 over the place. Jazz here is a part of people’s as possible, whilst others cautioned me cities, 6,000 miles, and countless trains vocabulary: to play music is to have a to establish a permanent residency in and buses later ending in San Francisco. conversation, rather than simply display the library. While much of this advice the way in which the concepts of role Along the way I witnessed incredible one’s musical plumage. To me that is exactly has influenced my first year at Oxford, model, teammate, and friend were not sights: the power of Niagara Falls and the what jazz is and should be about. I found in my time with the Oxford University mutually exclusive. The combination cinematic scenery of the Grand Canyon New Orleans that at the root of jazz music is Basketball Team has demonstrated of strong personalities and sound life and Monument Valley. I experienced classic an attitude, rather than a history. that sometimes the most meaningful perspectives that overflowed from my Americana, attending a baseball game in St experiences are unexpected and do not teammates not only helped me adapt to Louis and getting a true taste of Texas appear on a centuries-old ‘to-do’ list. life in Oxford, but challenged me to grow during my time in Austin. I was also never I was extremely grateful for the as a person. far from the Great American Weather, Having arrived trumpetless, opportunities I had to play basketball in It is not that this team trivialised narrowly missing tropical storms, floods, I was soon handed pieces of the United States but, for a variety of winning. To a certain extent, many of droughts and fires. brass and getting involved reasons, I came to view the sport that I us are so naturally competitive that My first stop was Boston, and after had passionately pursued for 17 years properly representing each other and the finding my feet and heading south to the on stages, bars, and living as a closed chapter of my life. I had no University were the only incentives we stunning Newport Jazz Festival, I made my rooms all over the place intention of playing basketball at Oxford, needed to train and play the best that way to New York, where jazz went from but it didn’t take me long to realise that we could. I look back on our win against infancy to adolescence, standing on its own this team was remarkably different from the University of Wales Institute, Cardiff feet after being imported from New Orleans. anything I had ever been a part of. Team as one of the most exciting moments The vibrancy and pace of New York, which After leaving Louisiana, I went on to bonding events were characterised of the season. In addition, qualifying for has remained consistent throughout the Texas and the parks of Arizona, finally by everyone laughing to the point of the British Universities and Colleges 20th century, makes it easy to see how the concluding my tour of North America on exhaustion; conditioning took the form of Sport Championships and winning the East Coast innovators – Miles Davis, Duke the West Coast. I received very warm ultimate frisbee in the park on Saturday National Founders Cup are testament Ellington et al. – flourished. welcomes in Los Angeles, San Diego and mornings; and the term ‘student athlete’ to the dedication and hard work of this Following brief stops in Syracuse and San Francisco, before bidding a fond wasn’t just a cliché used to ensure that team. However, it is the friendships, the Niagara, and a visit to Toronto, I headed to farewell and heading back across the players were achieving the minimum experiences that we have shared both on Chicago, New York’s spiritual sister, at least Atlantic in time for breakfast. I was so standard to be academically eligible to and off the court, and the rejuvenation in terms of its role in American music. touched by the number of people, alumni step onto the court. of my love for basketball that have made Heading south-west, things got bigger, or otherwise, who went out of their way to Any sports team composed of the past season with the Women’s Blues hotter, and progressively less familiar. I also help me out, and I thank every one of students from a variety of backgrounds stand out as the most unanticipated drew closer to the birthplace of jazz, and via them for making my trip what it was. In and studying neuroscience, education, blessing of my first year in Oxford. There St Louis (the origin of Miles Davis, amongst America, through encounters, diplomacy, theology and law (to name a is no template for making one’s time others) I reached New Orleans, the conversations, and an awful lot of getting few) is bound to be interesting. However, here ‘complete’, but for me, my Oxford pinnacle of my trip. lost, I became much more in tune with the what distinctly set this team apart from experience would have been lacking New Orleans is almost universally world that nurtured the music I play, and the rest of my athletic experiences was without basketball. credited as the place where jazz first discovered an invaluable depth and emerged from murky musical waters. Upon appreciation that I couldn’t possibly have Jennifer takes a shot against the London South setting foot in the city, that jazz music should found in history books. Bank University team

12 EXON Autumn 2012 www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni EXON Autumn 2012 13 Photo: Michael surveys the Grand Canyon in Arizona v

College News Life After Oxford

Unique in Oxford, Exeter’s dedicated Careers Office continues to ensure that students get off to a flying start when entering the world of work M l iCHae Mayo (2010, english), Careers Officer

ne of Exeter’s most salient advantages selected young people in the country. leading literary agency as ‘really intense – Oover other colleges is the Careers The Careers Office encourages people would have spent months working Office – the only such college-based students to broaden their horizons and on books which I had the power to accept service in the University of Oxford. For consider the benefits of working abroad, or reject in 15 minutes.’ He concluded, ‘I loved it; it gave me a really clear idea of many students, leaving Oxford is a daunting as well as in Britain, when they graduate. Chris Morgan and Imogen West-Knights share a prospect, and the Careers Office aims to It is for that reason that last year we what I would like to do in life.’ moment in The Importance of Being Earnest provide as much support as it can to ensure started internship programmes with This summer a number of Exeter’s that Exeter’s graduates have the best Essar, a multinational corporation based students have been welcomed onto The JCR-funded chance of finding fulfilling employment. in Mumbai. Imogen Pierce, a second- internships with Jaguar Land Rover, Initially established as a way to year Engineering student said of her time where they have joined the company’s Exon Productions get Exeter students to think early and there, ‘the experience was incredible. engineering and design teams, whilst State receives rave carefully about life after Oxford, the I was reporting to top management others are gaining valuable experience Careers Office now offers more than 20 and exposed to a level of business that with Report International, a media and reviews for its internship programmes with partners I perhaps would not have been had I communications analysis group. of Wilde maiden voyage around the world, including museums, applied to a more conventional internship.’ None of the work that the Careers J eSSICa Palmarozza environmental NGOs and major law Hands-on experience and significant Office does would be possible without the the Arts firms. These partner organisations offer responsibility are common among wonderful support of Exeter’s internship (2010, English) these internships exclusively to Exeter internships awarded through the Careers partners and the generosity of Old The jazz parade makes its way down Turl Street students, confident that they are getting Office. Joel Richardson, a third-year Members, Parents and Friends of the some of the strongest and most carefully reading English, described his role at a College. We are truly grateful to them. arlier this year, Exon Productions was Exeter’s Music, Arts and Drama Officer conducts Efounded by three students in their second year in order to encourage and a dynamic week as President of the Turl Street support dramatic talent at Exeter College. Arts Festival Naoi m Charatan (2010, Music) The first show was Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest, performed in sixth week of Hilary Term at the Corpus The First 700 Years Christi Auditorium. We adapted it slightly, his year it was Exeter’s turn to put The rest of the week was jam-packed setting it in 1940s Oxford rather than In preparation for a book celebrating Exeter’s 700th Tforward a president to oversee the with events, including lunchtime recitals, 1890s London, and the victory rolls, lipstick planning and running of the Turl Street art exhibitions, workshops, a fashion and loafers created an aesthetic coinciding anniversary, Hannah Parham (2001, modern history) Arts Festival. I put myself forward for show and the launch of the Turl Street with the general trend for vintage in lieu of delves deep into the College archives the job, and with the help of a strong Anthology, which included pieces of new the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations. committee with representatives from all writing by Turl Street students. The week The auditorium at Corpus provided three colleges, we produced one of the featured sell-out performances, both of a fantastic, malleable space for the most successful Turl Street festivals in The Players, a new play by Jesus student performance and suited aristocratic ld copies of the Stapeldon The Stapeldon back-issues are housed recent years. The festival started with Matt Parvin, and Bernstein’s West Side interiors as much as it did the garden Magazine, first published in in the College library, which I visited on the O a dedicated launch weekend, including Story. The casts of both productions were scenes. The show was a great success, 1901, allow the historian to become first properly warm Sunday of this year. It a jazz parade, jazz workshop and jazz drawn entirely from Turl Street students. receiving a four-star preview and five- deeply absorbed in the world that was was first thing in the morning, but every evening (hosted by ExVac) led by the Ken The festival culminated in a concert star review from The Oxford Student Edwardian Exeter. The moustachioed, desk was taken by diligent undergraduates Colyner Legacy New Orleans Jazz Band. of Mozart’s Symphony no. 40 in G Minor and Cherwell respectively. Chris Morgan upper class undergraduates, bachelor who were ‘in for the Schools’ (a phrase of and his Mass in C Minor in the beautiful and Imogen West-Knights excelled dons, and deferential servants. The dining the 1920s, when students began to take My research is for a new book on surroundings of Exeter chapel and as Algernon and Cecily and created a clubs, boat club, rugger, hunting and exams seriously again). The Edwardian Exeter to be published in 2014 as part conducted by Exeter’s senior organ dynamic that was as touching as it was punting. At the turn of the 20th century Exonians would be more at home in of the College’s 700th anniversary scholar, Joshua Hales. The traditional joint hilariously surreal, whilst Abigail Rees there were only eight Fellows of Exeter Restoration Exeter: a diary of 1692 records celebrations. Co-authored by Frances evensong on the last Sunday featured a enthralled the audience with her subtle College, and around 50 freshmen came how two Exeter undergraduates ‘at one in Cairncross, with contributions from choir amassed from the three colleges, portrayal of Lady Bracknell, which never up each year. Study played a peripheral the morning … came up the Bocherew, many Exonians, the book will include The week featured sell-out and we welcomed the Reverend Richard failed to generate laughs. role in their lives: undergraduates were [and] broke windows there’. Or in the 1970s, chapters on each phase of the College’s performances, both of Coles (musician, broadcaster, journalist and We are extremely grateful to the JCR allowed in the library for just three hours when Adelphi Club dinners were banned history; its founder, benefactors, dons, The priest), whose sermon provided a fitting end for their continued support of drama. on weekdays. Around a fifth of Oxford in College after the Sub-Rector’s windows undergraduates and staff; and a ‘guided Players, a new play by Jesus to the week. This year we were delighted Thanks to its very generous grant the finalists were ‘passmen’ (candidates for were smashed in. In the seven centuries tour’ of the College’s historic buildings student Matt Parvin, and that the festival made a small profit, and the show turned over a profit, some of which is degrees without honours); another fifth since Exeter was founded, everything has told through rare, early photographs from committee has decided to donate some of being invested into another Exeter-based took no examination at all. changed, and nothing has changed. the College archives. Bernstein’s West Side Story the proceeds to our own Turl Street charity, production due to run in Michaelmas of ExVac: a very worthwhile cause. next year.

14 EXON Autumn 2012 www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni EXON Autumn 2012 15 College News

particularly strong intake of freshers, including Alex Bleasdale, Ralph Eliot, Rugby Robert Fox and James West. N F iCK lETCHEr The League in Michaelmas was a (2010, PPE) hard-fought contest and, following a 5-0 demolition of Oriel, the race for the title came down to an Exeter-Trinity local derby. fter an enormously successful Exeter unfortunately lost 2-1, and was A2010-11 season, ECRFC began forced to settle for second place. Hilary the year in the first division for the first Term saw a similar story in our league time in nearly a decade. performance, but the main focus of the term The 2011-12 season has proved was Cuppers. After securing a place in the to be both successful and rewarding. semi-finals, we were drawn against a strong The two proudest moments for the club St Catz outfit. Despite a good performance came in the first round of the league in from the team, we were unlucky to go down Michaelmas. Our second game pitted us 2-4, with a special mention to Dan Bailey against Teddy Hall. ECRFC was 20-12 for his two goals. Mixed Cuppers was the up at half time. However, in the second team’s final competition of the season and half Teddy Hall brought on some bigger everything seemed to be going to plan forward subs which proved too much as Exeter stormed through the first few for ECRFC to handle. Considering that rounds. However, an administrative error Teddy Hall went on to win this year’s Exeter College Hockey Club The rugby team poses for a naked calendar to raise funds for ExVac (see page 38) saw Exeter turn up to our quarter final game cuppers, ECRFC’s sterling performance scored huge successes, including on the wrong day! should be seen as evidence of the team’s In the second round of the league, the team looks forward to recovering from Hockey winning both League One and Mixed Many thanks to all those who potential. We were able to convert ECRFC found itself with no returning Blues the loss of key players who are graduating Bn e ABDoo Cuppers and playing in College Varsity represented ECHC at any level this this potential into success with a win players in a division awash with them. and working back up into the first division, (2010, History) against St Catz, Cambridge. So the season, and a special mention goes against last year’s cuppers champions, With some of our more winnable fixtures which we know is within our capability. 2011–12 incoming Captain, Dan Bailey, to the fantastic stalwarts of the team Keble. After a very strong first season, cancelled because of snow, the season ECRFC will sorely miss Robert had much to live up to. However, I’m leaving us this year – Arthur Sawbridge, ECRFC finished third in the first division, ended with relegation to the second Cowan, Toby Griffiths, Tom Blight, Mark ast year, under the guidance of pleased to report that the season has Dan Sellars, Robbie Strachan, Rupert our strongest league finish for at least division. Whilst this is a shame after what Westwood, James Reynoldson, Will LJames Hunter, the hockey club been a success. This year has seen a Thurlow and Tom Vining. 10 years. has otherwise been a successful season, Merrett, James Elish and Tom Vining.

game. Michaelmas Term began well, Rowing with victories against St Catherine’s Rrntcliffo y A and Merton/Mansfield placing us (2010, PPE) amongst the frontrunners of the division. However, in a thrilling match against Worcester we allowed a three-goal lead to slip away and were dealt a blow in e welcomed new Men’s and the form of an injury to centre-back, WWomen’s team coaches this year, Sandy Clark. David Border and Jonny Smith-Williams Although by Christmas we were respectively. It was soon clear that they mid-table in the League, we managed had a big task ahead of them, and we are to remain in Cuppers until the quarter grateful for their help. final. With three games of the season In Michaelmas Term four novice remaining, the League was incredibly crews raced competitively in the Christ close, and we were a point off bottom. Church and Nephthys regattas, with both However, a fantastic turn of form saw the Men’s and the Women’s A crews us beat fellow strugglers Teddy Hall 3-0 knocked out by the overall winners. The and secure a well-overdue clean sheet. Women’s B boat brought a memorable We then went on to win our two final spirit to the river by dressing as pirates matches, beating the eventual League on the final day. Exeter College Association Football Club winners. We finished second in the table, Hilary Term saw the novices forming The Exeter College Boat Club Women’s Firsts only three points from the top. the senior squads that went on to enter the top tier of college football, but we Unfortunately we have to say Torpids. Regrettably ‘spoons’ were a gruelling week of pain in Reading, show how much the club had moved on. Football also scored more goals than any other goodbye to a number of players in the handed out to all crews except the resulting in significant technical and The Men’s 1st VIII slipped two places CsBnnetthri e division side. This was largely thanks to final year of their degrees, including Men’s 2nd VIII, which secured a bump fitness gains. Unfortunately heavy rain before holding their place in a valiant (2010, Physics) Austin Platt, the League’s joint top goal Austin Platt, Rupert Thurlow and former on the second day. Despite the initially closed the river in the weeks preceding race against rivals Jesus, and the scorer, who had an impressive 10 goals captains Joshua Brocklesby and Alex painful results, this was an invaluable Summer VIIIs, a frustrating time that Women’s 1st VIII bumped Linacre on to his name at the end of the season. Walker. Those leaving will be sorely experience for the novice majority in the left everybody well acquainted with the the first day despite crashing out of the his year has been incredibly Thanks to our sponsor for the missed, and we hope to find some boat club. With the memory of Torpids beloved ergs! blocks! The hard work of all the crews Tsuccessful for ECAFC. Not only did second season running, Origin, we had talented freshers to continue the high to spur them on, the Men’s crews set Nevertheless, Summer VIIIs paid off, leaving them hungrily looking we finish the season in second place in a fantastic new kit in time for our first standard set by the team this year. out over the Easter vacation to endure presented itself as an opportunity to back up the charts for next year.

16 EXON Autumn 2012 www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni EXON Autumn 2012 17 university News Aung San Suu Kyi Honoured at Encaenia Tomorrow’s The democracy campaigner’s courage in adversity is championed as she returns to her alma mater after years under house arrest Mathewt Baldwin, Communications Officer World

The Blavatnik School of Government opens its doors for the first time to potential world leaders of tomorrow Adam Ward (2011, PPE)

n September 2012 the Blavatnik School of Government was founded during the Great Depression by Iwill welcome its first students. For Oxford, this is a philanthropist Lucius Littauer. He hoped it would create a tremendous opportunity to groom future policy makers new professional governing class to come to terms with and the leaders of tomorrow. the historic policy challenges the USA was facing at home Initially, the School will offer just one course: the Master and abroad. Exeter’s own Old Member, Professor Joseph of Public Policy, which encompasses fields of study from Nye, has been one of its past directors. politics, economics and law, to history, philosophy and The finance for the Blavatnik School of Government ethics, to the natural sciences and medicine. has come through a record-breaking gift of £75m from The School of Government has attracted leading philanthropist Leonard Blavatnik at a time of political academics and policy makers. The Dean of the School, unrest across large parts of the world and economic Professor Ngaire Woods, is founder and director of stagnation in the UK and beyond. The School aims the Global Economic Governance Programme, which to lead rigorous policy discussion to provide effective Daw Suu chats to students Ben Clayton and Sophia Nayak in the Fellows’ Garden researches how global institutions could better respond to global cooperation and solutions to the problems of the the needs of developing countries. She has held advisory 21st century. he University of Oxford welcomed Burmese politician Burma who, she said, ‘wanted to live a happy life and who roles in the International Monetary Fund, the United Professor Woods Tand democracy campaigner Aung San Suu Kyi in June, had never been given an opportunity to lead one.’ Nations, the World Economic Forum, the Commonwealth, describes the School’s as she was awarded an honorary doctorate in civil law. It Presenting Daw Suu for her award, the Public Orator the European Parliament, the African Development Bank, approach: ‘We sat down was her first visit to Europe since 1988, having spent 15 Professor Richard Jenkyns described the painful decision to and the British government. Dr Philipp Hildebrand will The finance for the and said, with 21st of the previous 23 years held under house arrest by the leave family in Oxford to campaign for democracy in Burma be joining the School as a Senior Visiting Fellow, having century policy problems, Burmese military junta. as ‘a kind of exile.’ He declared ‘your silence has sounded previously served as Chairman of the Governing Board Blavatnik School what does a public Daw Suu arrived in Oxford on 19 June, her 67th louder than the jabber of politics and the clang of military of the Swiss National Bank, Director of the Bank for of Government policy maker need to birthday, and stayed at St Hugh’s College, where she read power; out of deep darkness your little lamp has shone International Settlements in Basel and Vice-Chairman of understand about them? PPE from 1964 to 1967. She celebrated her birthday there across the planet; your stillness has moved the world.’ the Financial Stability Board. has come through We’ve got an analytical with a private party for friends and family. The Chancellor of the University, Lord Patten of The aim of the Masters course is to enable students to a record-breaking part of the curriculum On 20 June the world’s gaze focussed on her, on Barnes, described Daw Suu as an ‘unbowed champion find more innovative solutions to policy challenges at local, gift of £75m from and a practical part. Oxford and on Exeter College, where Daw Suu and her of liberty’ and praised the example of courage and regional and global levels. ‘We aim to be a global school We’re not trying to train fellow honorands gathered before formally processing into endurance she had shown. from Day One,’ says Professor Woods. ‘Our student body philanthropist scientists and medics, the Sheldonian Theatre for the Encaenia ceremony. In a Daw Suu spoke of the need to invest responsibly will be international, and students will be learning from Leonard Blavatnik but we’ll be teaching break with tradition, Daw Suu was invited to address the in Burma, to be practical and patient. She concluded, Brazil, from Kenya, from Thailand, from China – as well as how to be an informed congregation during a live broadcast. ‘The road ahead [for Burma] is not going to be easy. But from Europe and the United States. It will be good to train user of scientific advice.’ She told the captivated audience: ‘Today, many strands Oxford, I know, expects the best of its own. And today, students to understand other countries, and also study The founding of of my life have come together. The years that I spent as a because it has recognised me as its very own, I am with people in other countries; to have global thinking, the Blavatnik School student at St Hugh’s; the years that I spent in Park Town as strengthened to go forward to give of my very best in global understanding, and global networking.’ of Government is an exciting opportunity for Oxford, a wife and mother; the years I spent under house arrest – meeting the new challenges that lie ahead.’ The Blavatnik School of Government will join a a university which has taught 26 of Britain’s 53 prime when my university, the University of Oxford, stood up and Among the other leading figures honoured during league of influential schools of government, including the ministers. According to Professor Woods, the Blavatnik spoke up for me. Encaenia was David Cornwell, better known under his Kennedy School of Government, which boasts among its School of Government wants to recruit the policy makers ‘During the most difficult years I was upheld by penname John le Carré. Daw Suu paid tribute to his books alumni Ban Ki-Moon, the Secretary-General of the United of tomorrow. ‘We are looking for outstanding academic memories of Oxford. These were among the most for the journey into other worlds and ideas that they had Nations, and the British Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls. ability and a demonstrated commitment to public important inner resources that helped me to cope with provided during her detention. ‘These were the journeys Interestingly both schools were set up at times of service,’ she says, ‘but we are also looking for impact — all the challenges I had to face.’ that made me feel that I was not really cut off from the financial uncertainty. The Kennedy School (then called people who are ready to lead and can deliver.’ She reflected that happy memories of Oxford not only rest of humankind,’ she said. ‘I was never alone, because the Harvard Graduate School of Public Administration) helped her endure the isolation and entrapment of house there were many, many avenues to places far away from arrest, but also enabled her to identify with young people in where I was.’

18 EXON Autumn 2012 www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni EXON Autumn 2012 19 university News Ertegun’s Legacy

The University announces an extraordinary £26m donation to fund graduate scholarships Mathewt Stokes (2010, Modern Languages)

t was with fear and excitement that I got up at an graduate scholarships in the field of humanities – the Iungodly hour on a rare day – 29 February – to go to most generous gift for the humanities in Oxford’s history. a similarly rare event at the British Academy, where the The scholarships will eventually cover tuition and University was holding a press conference. living costs for 35 graduate students from around the As the panel of speakers entered, I was taken aback world. The first cohort will start in Michaelmas 2012, with to see the Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor accompanied an initial intake of 15 students. by Lord Melvyn Bragg, Harvey Goldsmith (the UK’s Competition is fierce, with over 1,000 applications Pages from the Romance of Alexander (1338-44) by Flemish illuminator Jehan de Grise foremost concert promoter), John Paul Jones of Led already submitted by the time of the press conference. Zeppelin fame, and a shy- Students will have to gain a place through the normal looking lady. postgraduate entry system before applying for an Mrs Ertegun said: ‘In these It soon became clear Ertegun Scholarship. that the shy-looking lady The Vice-Chancellor said postgraduate funding The Language times, when there is so much was the cause of this was a ‘crisis down the road’ and added that the Ertegun strife in the world, I believe odd assembly. She was Programme ‘allows us to ensure that the very best minds Mica Ertegun, the widow are supporting the University’s research endeavour.’ it is tremendously important of Ahmet Ertegun, the Mrs Ertegun said: ‘In these times, when there is to support those things that founder of Atlantic Records. so much strife in the world, I believe it is tremendously of the Heart endure across time’ Mrs Ertegun, the Vice- important to support those things that endure across time. Chancellor announced, My dream is that, one day, Ertegun Scholars will be leaders had donated £26m to fund in every field.’ Certainly worth getting out of bed for. The Bodleian displays its finest Romantic manuscripts, from Le Roman de la Rose to The Lord of the Rings Ee l anor Franzen (2010, English)

ne of the hidden treasures of Oxford must surely Havelok the Dane and be drawn into the tale of deceit, £75m for Oxford’s Poorest Students Obe the Bodleian Library’s exhibition room in the Old valour and destiny. Sir Eglamour of Artois, meanwhile, Schools Quad. There, under low lighting and for the rather was open at a page with an illustration of the poem’s reasonable price of nothing at all, lurks a selection of the climactic moment. The hero kills an enormous boar An unprecedented donation from Michael Moritz will alleviate the Library’s greatest treasures. In Hilary term a collection belonging to a giant, who rather poignantly mourns financial burden of university for disadvantaged students of beautifully illuminated romance manuscripts lightened the loss of his pet, which he calls ‘myn lytel spotted the winter gloom, and provided the perfect excuse for a hogelynne’: my little spotted hogling. Gtj i an ali Joseph (2010, History) lunchtime excursion. The French manuscripts are by far the most lavishly The exhibition traced the development of romance illustrated in the Bod’s collection. A copy of Le Roman from its origins in Germany, France and England during de la Rose, one of the most scandalous texts of its time, he Oxford Thinking campaign passed £1.25bn in over half of these students will be benefiting from the the Dark Ages, through the ornate French manuscripts contained a half page illustration of the siege of the Castle TMarch 2012, and received a major boost in July when scheme’s funding. All Oxford undergraduates from of romance stories of the High of Love. These illustrations are so masterfully composed the biggest philanthropic gift for undergraduate financial low-income homes will benefit from the most generous Middle Ages, the resurgence that it is impossible to tell brushstrokes apart; they look support in European history was announced. financial aid packages in the country from this year of interest in all things almost like a plastic transfer sticker, vivid and whole, not like Winning praise from the Prime Minister, David onwards. But beneficiaries of the Moritz-Heyman awards It is as though medieval, and romantic, during something that was created bit by bit and coloured in by Cameron, a £75m commitment from venture capitalist will receive an additional sum, intended to reflect extra the Pre-Raphaelite period, monastic scribes. The gold tracing on the horses’ saddles, Michael Moritz and his wife, Harriet Heyman, will provide participation in access programmes for future students the picture and eventually finished up the blue of the sky that differs from the blue of the river, the students from low income backgrounds with £11,000 from poor families. simply grew in the 20th century, with the scarlet of a knight’s tunic: it is as though the picture simply a year in financial support. That is enough to cover Michael Moritz, an alumnus of Christ Church College, and blossomed romance-inspired work of JRR grew and blossomed on the page. their living costs and to support them during vacations, said: ‘Real talent is housed everywhere. Our new Tolkien, CS Lewis and Philip Western culture remains enamoured with romance ensuring that economic hardship should not compromise scholarship programme means that a gifted student – on the page Pullman. On display were some narrative. Some of its most characteristic elements – studies. The scheme will start right away: students who irrespective of financial circumstances – will always be of the earliest manuscripts heroes and kings, monsters and beautiful, dangerous have won a place at Oxford for 2012 are eligible for a 100% confident they can study at Oxford.’ of romances ever discovered ladies – can be traced in the adventures of 20th century Moritz-Heyman bursary. Mr Moritz and Ms Heyman hope that their generous – and, remarkably enough, many of them were easily fictional characters: Frodo and Sam, Aslan and the Around one in 10 Oxford undergraduates comes gift will eventually attract matched giving to bring the legible. Assuming that you could understand Middle Pevensie siblings, and even Lyra and Will of His Dark from a family with an income below £16,000 a year. total value of the scheme to £300m. English (which isn’t too far from Modern English, albeit Materials fame. It is heartening to realise, faced with the Within three years of the launch of the scholarship, with very idiosyncratic spelling), a casual observer could proof of hundreds of years’ worth of literary imagination, bend over the glass case containing the manuscript of that romance is far from dead.

20 EXON Autumn 2012 www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni EXON Autumn 2012 21 Features

However, the social sector faces Today’s challenge, as I see it, is to as well as achieve an acceptable serious challenges. Charitable harness entrepreneurship and capital to financial return. Think service providers are largely reliant deal with social issues. Social enterprise In the process, parts of the social xeter College was founded in on philanthropic donations and grants and investment – the deployment of capital sector will raise their game: they will offer E1314 with capital from Walter de from government. These sources of to fund social organisations that deliver a blend of measurable social and financial Stapeldon, Bishop of Exeter. Stapeldon’s finance are unreliable and just 2.4% of financial returns as well as measurable returns; they will embrace financial contribution could be characterised the registered charities in the UK have social benefits – offers a way forward. innovation, including performance-based as a social investment rather than a annual incomes of more than £1m. Few Let me give you one example of funding; and they will be more ambitious, charitable donation. He gave the College have the resources to see them through the innovation that is possible when seeking scale and efficiency. Importantly, two parishes, one in Cornwall and one in more than a few months of operation and you approach social issues in this way. enterprising charitable foundations Oxfordshire, the tithes on which amounted they lack the ability to grow into major Social Impact Bonds were devised and trusts will make balance-sheet to £52 a year. In exchange, scholars were organisations capable of making a serious by Social Finance, an innovative investments, in addition to grants out of drawn from Exeter, Barnstaple, Totnes and impact on social issues. investment company of which I was a revenue, to achieve their social purposes. Cornwall and they returned to contribute At the same time, the charitable founder-director. The target population The sector will attract and nurture to life in the South West upon completion foundations that are the essential for the first Social Impact Bond (SiB) dynamic, innovative social entrepreneurs. of their studies. supporters of the social sector, donating comprises 3,000 prisoners due to leave Capitalism does not have an automatic The College, which has never been about £3bn a year, hold about £100bn Peterborough prison over six years. The mechanism for looking after its social The Chairman of Big Society Capital argues the beneficiary of grand patronage, has of assets. They have been inhibited in SiB funds a programme of intervention consequences, but the key drivers of the BIGthat some investments can profit capitalists balanced its books, while the social using their capital for social purposes delivered by not-for-profit organisations. system – entrepreneurship, innovation and contribution of its graduates, Fellows by the widespread practice of investing A reduction in re-offending of 7.5% over capital – have been deliberately harnessed and society alike Sir Ronald Cohen (1964, ppe) and faculty has been incalculable. it for purely financial return, with no the life of the programme – measured to address social issues in the past. One The College’s exceptional roster of connection to their mission. against a representative control group thinks of Quaker enterprises and the work distinguished alumni includes not For its part, the Welfare State – will trigger a recoupment of capital of 19th century manufacturer and social just bishops, peers and parliamentary has not been capable of addressing and a 2.5% return to investors paid by reformer Robert Owen. It is time that we politicians, but radical thinkers such all areas of social need. Nor, despite government. A sustained 10% reduction harnessed those key drivers again, on a as William Morris and, in our own time, every expectation, has it successfully over the life of the programme will result larger scale than before, to turn the social socially-engaged writers such as Alan redressed inequality. In fact, inequality in an annualised return of 7.5% per year. sector – and the 700,000 people working Bennett and Philip Pullman. has actually grown over the last 40 years. Higher reductions still in the rate of re- in it – into the powerful force required to Stapeldon’s initial philanthropy, Governments across the world are out offending will deliver yet higher returns to help those whom the system leaves stuck supplemented by his subsequent of cash and out of breath in dealing with investors, subject to a maximum payment in disadvantage. endowments to support poor but gifted social issues. Given the challenges facing equivalent to a return of 13.3% per year. I have been associated with a students, has clearly paid handsome the social sector and the shortcomings If the measured improvement is less than succession of initiatives devoted to the social dividends. of government action, another pathway 7.5%, then investors lose their capital. realisation of this vision. The Social There is now emerging a difference to the alleviation of social disadvantage Investment Task Force, set up in 2000, between social investment and simple needs to be found. which I chaired, enjoyed cross-party philanthropy. Both are important. My own background is in support and had a major influence on Until the mid-20th century, charitable entrepreneurship, venture capital Capital is the fuel that drives government policy. The Task Force led me organisations were responsible for most and private equity. Together with my any enterprise, regardless of to help set up Bridges Ventures, a venture hospitals, schools and many of the forms partners, I built Apax into a major firm sector. Exeter college began capital firm dedicated to investment in of poor relief in Britain. It was expected by backing entrepreneurs who had a deprived communities. I also chaired the that the Welfare State would eliminate flair for innovation and who could run life with a gift of capital: two Commission on Unclaimed Assets, which the need for this work, but the charity their businesses effectively to achieve small parishes recommended that dormant accounts in sector – also known as the voluntary, third considerable scale. I discovered that banks and building societies in the UK be or social sector – continues to make a entrepreneurial drive is a key force for used to fund a social investment bank to significant contribution to the alleviation change. Entrepreneurs are ambitious be a wholesaler of capital for the social of suffering and the consequences of and have an obsessive dedication to The forecast payments to investors sector. The recommendations of the Task social disadvantage. their goals. represent significantly less than half the Force and the Commission on Unclaimed But to achieve anything at all, expected cost-savings to the criminal Assets led to the founding earlier this year entrepreneurship must be allied to capital. justice system. The SiB not only rewards of Big Society Capital, a social investment Capital is the fuel that drives any enterprise, social entrepreneurs and investors for bank with £600m of capital, £400m of Few charities have the regardless of sector. Exeter College began their success in delivering beneficial social which will come from dormant accounts. life with a gift of capital: two small parishes. outcomes, it also eliminates the state’s Big Society Capital is a milestone on resources to see them These parishes generated the income risk: the government only pays out if the the road to creating a sustainable market through more than a few that sustained the College for more than targeted level of desired objectives has for social enterprise and investment. 200 years. But where capital is available been achieved. Three of us involved in these initiatives months of operation and only in the form either of philanthropic SiBs are just one example of the – the Minister for Civil Society, Nick they lack the ability to grow donations, which are generally unreliable kind of innovation that could attract Hurd, Big Society Capital’s Alastair into major organisations over time, or of government fees or grants, capital to the social sector. Over time, Ballantyne, and I, as Big Society Capital’s which have reduced some charities to the I believe that the proliferation of such Non-Executive Chairman – happen to capable of making a serious status of dependent client organisations, products will turn social organisations’ be graduates of Exeter College. It is impact on social issues the situation is not conducive to need for capital into expressed demand. pleasing to reflect that we are continuing entrepreneurship, innovation and long- A new asset class will be created for the Exeter tradition of enlightened social term, sustainable growth. investors eager to help improve society engagement.

22 EXON Autumn 2012 www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni EXON Autumn 2012 23 Features

A n American once told me that I have the best job in government because as Minister for Civil Society, I get to see the ‘Best of Britain’

Others make provision for the College in is a minority sport in this country with new opportunities for people to give their will or make a gift in their lifetime something like 8% of the country doing in modern ways, such as using mobile to help achieve a specific project. This almost half of the giving. The poor give phones and the internet. We are doing The Best of Britain? generosity is what sets Exeter apart from proportionately more of their income what we can to support this movement other colleges. No Oxford college has a away than the rich. According to the through new tax incentives for legacies, higher participation rate. Charities Aid Foundation, as a country we targeted matched funding and over £20m N ick Hurd MP, Minister for Civil Society, admires Britain’s charity However, such generosity is not spend about as much on charitable giving of investment made through our Social restricted to the colleges and their as we do on cheese. All this at a time Action and Innovation in giving funds. but asks whether the country could and should be doing more networks of alumni looking to give when our charities face twin pressures Through the National Citizen Service, we N iCK Hurd (1981, Literae Humaniores) something back. On a recent ministerial of rising demand for their services when are also connecting today’s teenagers with visit, I was very impressed by the there is less public and private money the chance to make a positive difference energy of the Oxford Hub, which bills around. Likewise our universities face in their communities. At the same time, itself as the focal point for charitable well publicised funding challenges. The we are building a whole new market of activity at Oxford University. It is run truth is that we cannot take the givers in social investment – encouraging money s we celebrate 60 years of dedicated capital that underpins our national sense by students and staff, and is the go- society for granted. that is not ‘free’ but prepared to blend service from one extraordinary of wellbeing. An American once told me A to place for students interested in social impact with financial return. This individual, a recent report from the OECD that I have the best job in government social and environmental issues locally. is an embryonic but real market and we confirms that the Queen reigns over one because, as Minister for Civil Society, I get They support student-run community have the ambition to grow it substantially, of the most generous countries in the to see the ‘Best of Britain’. I know what volunteering, help students find careers According to the Charities as Sir Ronald Cohen explains elsewhere world. Between us, we give almost £11bn he meant because every week I get the in the third sector, provide training to in this edition (page 22). Key to that is a year in charity, and that has remained chance to meet extraordinary people who Aid Foundation, as a country increase impact, and run conferences the establishment of the world’s first quite steady in difficult times. We are are doing or supporting invaluable work to and speaker series. One of the projects we spend about as much social investment institution – Big Society not just generous with our money. Every improve lives, bring people together and I visited was a food bank which collects Capital. It is a nice coincidence that these day in communities across the country, give people a voice. on charitable giving as we surplus food from local supermarkets and parallel drives to encourage more giving millions of people give time to help others Without philanthropy so much of what do on cheese distributes it to those in need through and social investment are being led by and keep things going. I dread to think we value as a country would just not be local charities. This virtuous circle is two old Exonians, and I am delighted to be what would happen in my constituency there. The impact and importance of only made possible by the generosity of working so closely with Sir Ronald in this of Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner if the charitable giving is abundantly clear in students who give their time. As you talk ground-breaking area. volunteers did not turn up to the police Oxford. Much of what we perhaps take to them, you recognise a fundamental Of course there is a big role for Ultimately it is down to us all to stations, churches, schools, libraries, local for granted in that magnificent, world truth. Giving is a two-way street because government in encouraging more giving. recognise that we have responsibilities charities and sports clubs. Clever people class centre of learning is only there the givers get so much out of the chance However, history should have taught us beyond paying taxes. Back to Exeter have tried to measure because of generous benefactors. Exeter to make a positive difference. that government cannot act in isolation College. It is incredibly encouraging to the economic value of College itself was founded through the So, we have much to be grateful here. We also need to be sensitive to see that 95% of the graduating year of this time given but, in philanthropy of benefactors such as for and much that we can congratulate the fact that many people feel they have 2008-09 made a gift before they left. Much of what we truth, it is priceless. It is Walter de Stapeldon and William Petre in ourselves on. However, there are reasons less time or money. If we want to connect Most of these students don’t yet have so often the glue that the 14th and 16th centuries respectively. perhaps take for for guarding against complacency and more people with their power to make a a job and have benefited personally keeps communities Today it continues to be supported by asking ourselves whether we could and difference, then we need government, from the support of those who went granted in Oxford together and gives the generosity of previous students as should do more. As you drill down into the business and charities to work together before them. That statistic is not just is only there them a strong sense well as their parents and other Friends numbers, there are reasons for concern. to find new ways of inspiring giving and encouraging, it is also rather shaming for of identity. These are of the College. I am delighted to read because of generous First of all giving has flat-lined for a long making this easier. This is exactly what this particular Exonian who to date has the ties that bind us on the website that over 2,000 Old time, both in terms of time and money – has happened over the last two years, not made a gift. That changes now, and benefactors together, forge social Members give regularly to the Annual despite lots of government interventions which have seen a huge amount of I hope that others will follow the lead trust and build the social Fund, which is more than one in three. to try and stimulate it. Second, giving entrepreneurial energy thrown at creating shown by these young graduates.

24 EXON Autumn 2012 www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni EXON Autumn 2012 25 Features

The oft-cited alternative of what constitutes a charity. This requires collaboration between charities subjective judgement; far from easy in undeniably has merits and I know an age in which moral and cultural from personal experience that close relativism inhibits clarity of thought and cooperation between Armed Forces action. That should, however, be no charities has achieved much. There deterrent to hazarding that judgement. are limits nonetheless to what it can Consider too this question: do some accomplish. A more courageous approach charities’ actions actually do damage or would in many cases generate greater perpetuate injustice? I work for a charity benefit still. (Incidentally, I practise supporting Armed Forces veterans what I preach. Last year, after 90 years in need. Do charities like mine simply of separate operation, Poppyscotland subsidise the cost of prosecuting wars merged with its sister charity in England, that many think should never have been Wales and Northern Ireland, the Royal fought? Does intervention by overseas British Legion. For legal and commercial aid charities simply shore up corrupt, reasons we retain our separate brand and Third World governments? Do charities The Chief legal status, but now sit within the RBL addressing homelessness let national and Executive of Group, having already achieved follow-on local government off the hook? In all three Poppyscotland synergies and efficiencies.) instances I see an overwhelming moral Though not normally an advocate imperative to intervene when governments calls for a radical of state intervention, I think there is a can’t or won’t, but I readily accept my view shake up of the third clear need to empower, and require, the is not beyond dispute. surprising number of charities do not Charity Commission to compel charities to make their statutory accounts available sector IaMr n cG egor address this issue. It should also become on their websites, or only present, to their (1974, Modern History) much harder to register a charity. ‘Ah,’ I best advantage, basic summaries of their hear you ask, ‘should I not be free to set A surprising number of income, costs and expenditure. Yet fuller up a charity to commemorate a loved one transparency does present drawbacks. or support some hitherto unidentified charities do not make their For example, charities funded largely from need?’ I would say no, you should not. Set statutory accounts available government grants have lower cost-to- up a fund if you wish, but don’t expect on their websites income ratios than those dependent on charitable status and its associated public donations, which have much higher tax breaks unless you can conclusively fundraising costs. Comparing their ratios Charitable Status establish you will address unmet need and gives no valid indication of either party’s will not duplicate sound, existing provision. efficiency, a point perhaps not immediately A more fundamental, and vexed, What about transparency? It allows apparent to the uninitiated. question is ‘What should constitute a the public to see if a charity is efficient or These are just some of the issues. took a while to join the Third Sector. are moribund or obsolescent. Charitable charity?’ In redefining what a charity is the inefficient,non ? Not the way it is practised So, I am a troubled soul, but for I Unwittingly pioneering the portfolio work appeals both to the heart and the head, 2006 Charities Act came up with pretty by some. One very large UK charity, welcome reasons. My misgivings arise career, after leaving Exeter in 1977 I so many charity trustees and managers woolly criteria. Charities must have one doubtless considering itself a paragon from my constantly mulling over how the toiled variously in the law, industry and understandably persuade themselves that or more of 13 stated charitable purposes. of transparency, declares it will use your sector could do more and better, how to educational management, and served their charity alone can achieve a particular Some, such as ‘the prevention or relief of donation where the need is greatest. do the Right Thing (a bit of a cliché, but in the RAF. Easily bored, I formed no charitable aim, or operate efficiently in poverty’ or ‘the advancement of health or So it may indeed. However, as we say in it is rather the point of charity work) and compelling vocation, but did come to parallel with others with the same purpose. In saving of lives’ are uncontroversial. Others Scotland, I hae ma doots. A year or two how to adapt to changing circumstances, wonder if my skills, experience and some cases they may be right. However, a lot are definitely not. Faith groups might ago it declared its fundraising costs were mores and events. People shouldn’t get rich character might fit well with charity of charities need to take a long, dispassionate consider ‘the advancement of religion’ 18% of its overall expenditure for the year. working for charity but that, along with the work. In 2009 the chance to become look at themselves and consider whether they a kosher charitable purpose, but most That’s a respectable figure for a charity need for reform and the inevitable moral Chief Executive of Poppyscotland came can and should merge or dissolve, eliminating atheists would think that unbelievable. largely reliant on public donations, but it conundrums, shouldn’t deter anyone from unexpectedly. It has proved a very wasteful competition, unnecessary costs and ‘The advancement of education’ is didn’t include expenditure on what was involvement in charity work, whether paid fortuitous case of right time, right place, presenting a clearer proposition to another category open to widely varying termed ‘strengthening the movement’. Did or voluntary. I experience great rewards in right fit. the public. interpretation and, frankly, abuse. that notably, but not untypically, opaque other ways, not least in seeing what can be Happily, I do find it much easier now Another area which leaves me uneasy example of charityspeak include supporter achieved in helping people who need and to greet each working day. I have an is that of campaigning charities. Many cultivation? Magazines, newsletters, deserve material and moral support. The immensely varied role. I work with highly charities campaign to greater or lesser advertising and the like? My hunch is that fact is that rising each morning with a clear motivated and professional people. I feel There are currently over degrees, but to my mind charities that do it may have and I would class much of that conscience doesn’t mean one never has my job is well worth doing. Lucky old me, 190,000 charities in the UK, little or nothing else are simply pressure as a fundraising cost. Also not included the odd sleepless night. eh? Yet read on and beware: a career in groups pushing one set of views. Should was expenditure on trading activities – charity work is as full of moral dilemmas around one per 321 people they get tax breaks? I don’t believe they surely another fundraising cost? Taking Ian McGregor is Chief Executive of as many another. in the country. That’s far should, even if I share their opinions. Tax these into account, their fundraising Poppyscotland, which operates the Scottish There are currently more than 190,000 concessions are tax foregone. People expenditure could have been as much Poppy Appeal and delivers welfare support Increasing competition requires charities to charities in the UK, around one per 321 too many, an absurd and should not pay more in tax to subsidise as 36% of the whole. A fully accurate to Forces veterans in Scotland. work hard to stand out. This page: a Scottish people in the country. That’s far too many, unacceptable state of affairs the promotion of views they might or picture calls for deep interrogation of their poppy adorns a sculpture by Andy Scott. Right: a paratrooper helps capture the an absurd and unacceptable state of affairs. might not subscribe to. Overall, there is a accounts. Even then, great subjectivity public’s attention. Many compete to do the same work. Others need for much tighter legal definition of would apply in any assessment, and a

26 EXON Autumn 2012 www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni EXON Autumn 2012 27 Features Back to the Future

As austerity measures hit home, does the nation’s future depend on a return to the philanthropic principles of yesteryear? Fra nCES Cairncross, Rector

hat Scottish patron saint of American philanthropy, Some of those whose gifts through the ages have made major country, according everyone else, why should a rich person decide, in effect, TAndrew Carnegie, believed that ‘the man who dies them famous would be obscure if they had not donated to the World Giving Index how that money should be spent? rich dies disgraced.’ True to his principles, he gave away their wealth – obscure or perhaps reviled. Who would The World Giving 2011, compiled by the This debate is not new. As The Economist magazine nine-tenths of his vast fortune during his lifetime. Carnegie now remember Rhodes or Nobel – let alone Walter de Charities Aid Foundation. pointed out, in 1863 William Ewart Gladstone, Chancellor was one of the giants of what now appears to have been Stapeldon – were it not for their benefactions? All three Index 2011 puts This measure puts Britain of the Exchequer, tried and failed to reduce the tax relief a golden age of philanthropy: the final years of the 19th made their wealth in ways that would be hard to get past Britain in fifth in fifth place globally in on charitable giving, arguing that the wealthy man’s relief century and the dawn of the 20th. the average Donor Scrutiny Committee – yet look at the terms of money and time was the additional tax burden on the poor man. The Today, we may perhaps be at the dawn of another obvious good that their benefactions have achieved. Is it place globally in that people devote to Economist of the day agreed, though The (pre-Murdoch) golden age, and for a similar reason: inequality is a friend really wrong to accept ill-gotten gains for a good cause? terms of money supporting good causes. Times did not. Then, as now, the Chancellor backed down. to philanthropy, and large fortunes encourage individual We think so now, but may one day think otherwise. and time that America’s giving differs The debate will doubtless revive. Governments are generosity. Successful entrepreneurs, particularly from The advent of the welfare state, especially in Europe, from that of most other rarely very keen on charities, which are in some ways Silicon Valley, have been following the example of Bill Gates pushed philanthropy aside in the 20th century. In some people devote countries in that roughly their competitors and which lack the accountability of a and building parallel careers as imaginative philanthropists. respects, state provision certainly had advantages over to supporting a third of all philanthropy government minister. But charities have advantages. Over the centuries, the gifts of wealthy families not only individual philanthropy: it left fewer gaps, and it removed good causes goes to religious causes. These include an ability to implement the priorities built many of the world’s loveliest buildings but paid for many the obligation of gratitude on the part of the recipient. But But it is still vastly ahead of of groups that governments cannot handle, whether it of its great paintings, sculptures and musical compositions. in much of continental Europe, many areas of philanthropy many European countries, be medical research into rare diseases or the protection Sometimes they were for private benefit; sometimes, to save have virtually disappeared. When I recently tried to raise such as Italy, where of landscape and buildings that have no economic use. the donor’s soul; sometimes for public admiration. Right up funds in Germany to pay for a Fellowship in German, wealthy families once Philanthropy gives a flexibility that no other form of social until Victorian times, generous individuals filled the gaps in I was told that most Germans would assume that the financed the most distinguished artists of the Renaissance. organisation enjoys. The Gates Foundation, the creation of nascent state provision by endowing hospitals, almshouses, government should pay rather than donors. Today Italians give one-tenth as much of their wealth as the one fabulously wealthy individual and his wife, has had a schools and Oxford colleges. British do, and Italy’s arts largely survive on the (dwindling) significant impact on childhood deaths from malaria in Africa, Of course, philanthropy is not necessarily the same budget of the state. succeeding where both Western and African governments as altruism. Many donors wanted to leave a mark, make In the wealthy world, philanthropy will have to provide have largely failed and helping to bring about a real decline in a statement or ensure a safe passage to paradise. a larger share of health, welfare, education and culture childhood mortality. In much of continental Europe, than it has done in the past. In many of the areas where It is understandable that many people resent the idea that many areas of philanthropy have state provision has taken over from benefactors in the an individual who makes a lot of money can then use it, with virtually disappeared. When I past century, the state will recede. There will simply taxpayer support, to save works of art, or elderly donkeys, or not be sufficient tax revenue to meet any but the most the lives of children in Sub-Saharan Africa. But philanthropy recently tried to raise funds in urgent obligations. enriches societies, and allows activities and experiments that Germany to pay for a Fellowship One of the main ideas behind the British governments cannot undertake and companies will not risk. It in German, I was told that most government’s concept of the Big Society has been is something to encourage, not to constrain. greater charitable and not-for-profit provision. Exeter If we are to enjoy a new golden age of philanthropy, Germans would assume that the College’s own Sir Ronald Cohen, one of the pioneers we must nurture and encourage those who want to give government should pay rather of social investment, has helped to set up Big Society away their wealth. A culture that admires giving, by the than donors Capital, and previously helped to pioneer Social Impact rich and the not-so-rich, will be one where new ideas are Bonds, to build a bridge between philanthropy and more likely to flourish – and where the pain of tax cuts is investment (see p22 for more information). mitigated for us all. As this sector increases, it will spark debates. Some charities – such as the National Trust or the Royal Society We need philanthropy today more than we did a century for the Protection of Birds – have become immensely ago. The squeeze on public spending in many countries of successful lobbying groups, empowered by their enormous the rich world suggests that we may have reached – and memberships. An institution financed by the donations of An institution financed by the indeed passed – the limits to society’s willingness to pay for thousands of individuals acquires a clout that no political donations of thousands of individuals public services through tax revenues. We need to pay down party can emulate. Indeed, the supporters of both the public debt, and we need to care for a rising proportion of acquires a clout that no political party National Trust and the RSPB far outnumber the members elderly people. Philanthropy will have to fill the gaps. of any political party. can emulate. Indeed, the supporters That will be tricky. In the United States, according But what about the philanthropy of the wealthiest to an annual survey by Giving USA and the Centre on of both the National Trust and the individuals, whose numbers have grown as the distribution Philanthropy at Indiana University, overall giving tends to RSPB far outnumber the members of of income has widened? This year’s Budget attempted to run at around 2% of GDP. It perked up slightly in the boom curb the amount of tax relief that an individual could claim any political party years of the mid-2000s, but has now reverted to its long- for donations. It produced a furious debate: given that the run trend. American generosity outstrips that of any other counterpart of the relief would be a higher tax burden on

28 EXON Autumn 2012 www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni EXON Autumn 2012 29 Features Charity Not Aid A Social Medium

The author of Getting Zambia to Work warns As the number of people accessing social media sites soars, the that international aid can do more harm than good Campaigns Director of activist group 38 Degrees aims to harness this C ghISan a Puta-Chekwe (1977, PPE) force for the good of society Han n ah Lownsbrough (1998, PPE)

ecent years have provided important part of the picture, Rsome compelling examples but work best alongside other of people outside the corridors forms of activism. In Australia of power coordinating to shape in early 2011, for instance, the decisions made by those online campaign group GetUp within them. From the Arab facilitated the provision by Spring to the Occupy movement, its members of emergency all over the world people have accommodation to people made been working together to try homeless by the Queensland and change society. One cause floods. For many members of of this spate of activity is the 38 Degrees, getting together he once proud and prosperous Republic of Zambia of health funding to Zambia’s government, the Zambian internet and the way social media to hand in petitions to MPs Thas been addicted to international aid since the late authorities glossed over their own complicity in the are transforming how people or to discuss ideas for new 1970s. Almost half a century after independence, Zambia misappropriation of funds that led to the suspension affect politics. The organisation campaigns is just as important is less sovereign, less independent and virtually without and condemned the Fund for endangering the lives of for which I am Campaigns as the actions they take through international influence. With the economy improving, nationals. Sadly this was not the first time that public Director, 38 Degrees, is showing the organisation’s website. this is a good time for the country to wean itself off money had been stolen. A year earlier, the Netherlands how it can work in Britain. The internet, particularly international aid and to take the opportunity to be more and Sweden halted $30m of direct aid for the Zambian Despite interest in the social media, is already altering charitable towards others. health ministry because money was disappearing into role played by Facebook, for the way in which we participate In 2010, 14.5% of the national budget was raised the pockets of officials. instance, during the Egyptian in society. The potential for a from grants given by donor countries, with 13.1% through To question the value of systemic aid however is uprising or by Twitter in Iran, power-shift in our relationships domestic borrowing. The percentage of the budget financed not to denounce charity. There is a place for voluntary using modern technologies to with politicians and major by foreigners may appear high but is in fact relatively low for assistance, but in these instances the assistance must be impact on politics is, of course, companies is clear; we are Zambia where donors had previously funded between 20 ad hoc and flow both ways. There can be no permanent well established. The much- now able to communicate with and 30% of the country’s public expenditure. givers or receivers, as is the case with systemic aid. discussed effect of the internet them quickly and directly, and But aid is not necessarily charity. As John Perkins Recipients of charity do not routinely rely on aid as on the electoral success of to coordinate efforts when illustrates in Confessions of an Economic Hit Man, a significant source of income. On the contrary, they Barack Obama was itself partly Activists of all ages join to protect Grizedale Forest we do so. The internet makes donors sometimes deliberately lend money to countries use the money they receive to make themselves more the product of 10 years of online keeping secrets harder too, as knowing full well the recipients’ inability to pay back the self-reliant and thus place themselves in a position to progressive activism, drawing heavily on experiences of information is shared at a rate that was unthinkable even loans. The purpose of this lending is to bankrupt the be charitable to others, including those who might have grassroots groups, such as MoveOn. Founded in 1998, a decade ago. ‘beneficiary’ country and make it beholden to the donor helped them in the past. MoveOn drew together progressive activists across the But beyond these examples lie new opportunities that country. Even when donors genuinely want a country For this reason recipients of charity need not be looked USA and encouraged them to take action to influence may play a far more significant role in shaping society in to develop, systemic aid often achieves the opposite of upon with the kind of patronising pity demonstrated by a decisions on a broad spectrum of issues. By the time the the future. Social media ensure that relationships that what was intended. One of the reasons for this is that aid Canadian International Development Agency documentary 2008 presidential election drew close, they were one of might once have ended through distance or changing routinely disbursed by rich countries to poor countries kills in the late 1980s. a number of existing resources upon which the Obama circumstances are now frequently lasting longer, albeit local enterprise, eventually creating a nation of beggars. Featured in that campaign could draw. online. Finding ways to convert these more sustained ties An entire generation of Zambians has known nothing but documentary was Online activism took longer to build up momentum into purposeful action offline could be one of the most dependency on aid. The monuments of development most a CIDA worker who Systemic aid in Britain. However in 2009, 38 Degrees was set up. We important factors shaping how our society works for visible to this generation were erected either by foreigners or admitted to treating encourages a hoped to apply lessons learned from MoveOn and its decades to come. by Zambians with foreign money or technical assistance. The Zambians like children sense of sister organisations, while adapting them to establish a impressive Sion Lumpa church, built in the Northern Province because ‘they are group that would be effective in the UK. In the three years entirely by Zambians (most of them women) a half century children’, dependent entitlement and following our launch, we have had some major successes ago, would probably not be built today without a battery of on aid provided by his provides an on campaigns chosen by our members. Using online foreign advisers. Even then, it would almost certainly take country. We must look opportunity for petitions we persuaded the government to cancel plans The potential for a power-shift in longer to build and cost more as some of the money would forward to an end to this to sell off public forests, and earlier this year we motivated be misappropriated, as aid money often is. That is not to say abuse as countries like embezzlement big gas and electricity suppliers to offer consumers a our relationships with politicians tax dollars are never stolen or misused. The point here is Zambia become more without much improved deal on their energy bills through a huge and major companies is clear; simply that systemic aid encourages a sense of entitlement prosperous and self- accountability collective switching campaign. Along the way, we have we are now able to communicate and provides an opportunity for embezzlement without reliant, and hope that grown to over 1m members. accountability to taxpayers. home grown charity will to taxpayers These success stories don’t mean that online with them quickly and directly In June 2010, when the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, increase as international campaigns will always be the most effective way to bring Tuberculosis and Malaria suspended more than $300m aid is kept at bay. people together to create change. They are an increasingly

30 EXON Autumn 2012 www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni EXON Autumn 2012 31 Features Giving What We Can

From Balliol College to executive boardrooms, saving the world is about each person doing their bit, writes C hriSTopher Arnold (2003, Physics)

ver the past few years our economy has tottered whichever organisations will use the money most Ofrom ‘credit-crunch’ to ‘debt crisis’, and the current effectively to fight poverty. When considering the economic stagnation feels almost interminable. Charities effectiveness of organisations it is tempting to leap to have struggled to attract donations as we have tightened the charity with the lowest overheads – woe betide the our purse strings. While ultra-rich philanthropists charity with the city-centre office building or the suite can perhaps still dream of making a difference in the of new 4x4s – but that is to miss the point. Giving What developing world, for the rest of us charity will have to We Can aims to support the charity that, for some fixed begin at home. donation, can help the greatest number of people to enjoy Not according to Giving What We Can, an international prolonged healthy lives. society set up in Oxford that encourages people to donate Using research conducted by the World Health 10% of their income to whichever causes will do the most Organisation and the Disease Control Priorities to relieve suffering. The society argues that we can all Project, Giving What We Can applies a metric known Faith, Hope play a role in the fight against extreme poverty, even in the as the ‘Disability Adjusted Life Year’ (DALY) to assess current economic climate. effectiveness. One DALY is equivalent to one additional The premise is straightforward: even the most modest year of life lived at full health, or to multiple years lived UK wage places us amongst the world’s very highest with disability or disease. Comparing charity interventions earners. We can all afford to give a percentage of our is difficult and the research is by no means immune to and Charity salary to charity and, by choosing to donate to the most controversy (as a scientist, I find it hard not to shudder at cost-effective charities, can help to prolong hundreds the sight of some of the error bars). However, even when of lives during the course of our own. The founder of this uncertainty is taken into account, some interventions H uGH Shilson-Thomas (1983, Theology), the Church of England’s former Giving What We Can, Dr Toby Ord of Balliol College, puts are found to be hundreds of times more cost-effective National Adviser for Higher Education and Chaplaincy, champions it more strongly: ‘We are all millionaires compared with than others. The most effective interventions, such as those living on a dollar a day and we can prevent untold treated mosquito nets, can save in the order of 50-100 religious literacy and the importance of charitable attitudes suffering if only we choose to.’ To date, more than 200 DALYs per $1,000. people have taken the Giving What We Can pledge, Using a tool on the Giving What We Can website, it ranging from students to management consultants. The is possible to find out what you could achieve. However total pledged to date stands at $82m (a sum worthy of modest your salary, the chances are that it has the potential those ultra-rich philanthropists mentioned earlier). to save hundreds of lives. I cannot help but think that the The aim of Giving What We Can is not just to principle behind Giving What We Can is right – you do not harity is often defined in terms of almsgiving – providing potential extremism on university campuses post encourage people to give, but specifically to give to have to be Bill Gates to be an effective philanthropist. Crelief to the poor. But there are other definitions. There 9/11, and yet here were some positive examples of is a religious understanding of charity as a theological people from different faiths and backgrounds working virtue: love directed towards God, but also towards together. A study found that literacy about religion DALYs/year oneself and one’s neighbours as objects of God’s love. among students and staff in higher education institutions But charity can also be defined in terms of benevolence assisted in promoting good relationships. This idea was and generosity, or forbearance in judging others. taken up, and the Religious Literacy Leadership Project lives saved per year There is much talk nowadays about equality and now trains and resources vice-chancellors, senior 400 diversity policies. But there is a huge difference between managers and others in the higher education sector. • An £18,000 salary places tolerating diversity and celebrating If we are going to communicate you in the top 2.5% of world difference. If we are going to get across cultures and faiths, we need earners along with each other in this world to have the language with which to 300 of ours, we need to find better ways converse. In a more diverse and • Giving 10% of that salary, six of communicating with people who A study found that globalised society, the common lives or up to 280 DALYs could are different from us. We may then literacy about religion language may no longer be there. be saved every year understand more and have a chance among students Rather than lamenting that, let’s 200 of moderating our prejudices. embrace the challenge, and do When I was responsible for and staff in higher something to educate ourselves. The advising on higher education issues education institutions idea that young people might become for the Church of England, the more religiously literate at university, ince om assisted in promoting emergence of multi-faith chaplaincies and have a charitable attitude to £18,000 £26,000 £34,000 £42,000 needed some serious consideration. good relationships diverse, including religiously diverse, You lie in of world The government at the time was groups is surely something to feel 2.5% 1% 0.75% 0.5% the top earners saying controversial things about hopeful about.

32 EXON Autumn 2012 www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni EXON Autumn 2012 33 Fundraising On the Money Call Me, Maybe

Exeter and Oxford are reliant on the support of A member of the Easter Telethon philanthropists at every level – but are they worth it? campaign discovers the two little TssSe a tanley Price, Campaign Gifts Manager words with the power to open doors, hearts and purses Lara Bryan (2011, English and Modern Languages)

hy should I give money to Oxford when elsewhere enabling them to pinpoint the areas where the parasites ‘Win the world there are people struggling to evolve fastest and track resistance to anti-malarial drugs survive?’ It’s the objection that student callers on the more efficiently. With the World Health Organisation Telethon campaign learn to dread. How can this college, estimating that a child dies of malaria every 30 seconds, with millions in the bank, possibly be asking for money breakthroughs of this kind have an obvious impact. when there are far ‘needier’ causes in the UK and The Oxford Water Futures Programme uses mobile overseas? communications technologies to improve water quality At Exeter we think carefully about how to answer and reduce poverty in the developing world. The ‘smart this in a way that does justice to both sides. If the pumps’ that the Programme has developed in Kenya concern comes from a financial angle, it is simpler to send automatic text messages to local engineers put straight. Yes, Exeter has £49m in its endowment. when they break down or run dry. The pumps are then But the government didn’t found or finance this college; swiftly fixed. In Africa 280m people do not have access generous individuals did, over 700 years of philanthropy. to clean water. This innovative project could have a Our ‘spend rule’ of 3.25% generates £1.6m in revenue transformational effect across the entire continent. annually. In 2010-11, our total outgoings were £7.7m and What about Exeter’s students? How do they go on we simply do not recoup that in fees, accommodation to change the world for the better? In 1961 a young and catering charges. It is the income from philanthropic Ghanaian named John Kufuor arrived at Exeter to read gifts and vacation conferences that keeps the College PPE. Forty years later, he became the President of in the black. Without the support of its Old Members, Ghana. During his eight years in office, the country’s Exeter would not be able to sustain its tutorial system or gross domestic product increased four times from the excellent standards of student support that we are £2.6bn to almost £11bn. At the same time, poverty so proud of. levels were halved and almost a quarter more children So what of the more ideological arguments for not attended primary school. supporting Exeter or the University? Why do images In 2002 former Exeter DPhil student Sydney Brenner ou were just getting up to make a cup of tea or I could hear the laughter in the other’s voice as they of boater-wearing students playing croquet and out- (1952) won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine perhaps you were on your way back from work when recounted a prank on Jesus College, and the chuckle of-touch academics in ivory towers persist? In reality, in recognition of his work in genetics and molecular Y you heard the phone ring. ‘Hello my name is Lara Bryan when they recalled how they were still in awe of their Oxford today couldn’t be further from these perceptions. biology. The Molecular Sciences Institute that he and I am a current student calling from Exeter College.’ tutor, meeting them 30 years after graduation at a gaudy. The University is renowned for the quality and range founded in California carries out leading research in During the three-week Easter Telethon campaign I It was easy to get lulled into a false sense of security. of its research. Its findings have international impact improving human health around the world. spoke to 200 alumni. Taking into account answer phones After 60 answering machines in a row, the sound of a every year, changing millions of lives for the better. It is not all about science and politics. Oxford’s this number shoots up to around 600. live human voice would jolt me out of the warm buzz of For example, in 2012 Oxford researchers developed influence can also be felt through ideology. The University At first it seemed difficult to imagine it would surrounding voices. a method for analysing the DNA of malarial parasites, is proud to have once been Aung San Suu Kyi’s home and be possible to connect with so many strangers over All of a sudden I was whisked away from the Rector’s place of study, and in her recent speech at Encaenia she the phone, but I soon dining room to Ecuador where one Old Member was going told the audience that ‘the years when I was struggling discovered that I had two to make a documentary on indigenous tribes. A ‘hello’ for human rights in Burma, I felt I was doing something of small, powerful words could plunge me into the office of a lawyer fighting to which my old university would have approved.’ to help me. Say ‘Exeter change government policy on legal aid. The gentle tones Would these individuals have accomplished such We heard about College’ and for a brief of one alumnus made me feel like I was sitting down at things if they hadn’t been to Oxford? We will never know, strange times moment my fellow callers home eating my breakfast. I then realised that he was a but what is clear is that the gap between this ‘elitist’ Without the support of its Old and I were allowed into former radio presenter for the BBC World Service. university and the developing world isn’t nearly as wide when there were Members, Exeter would not be able your homes, your offices, We heard about strange times when there were only as some might imagine. only boys at Exeter, your lives. boys at Exeter, when bops were called sweaties and when to sustain its tutorial system or Would Exeter expect to be the sole beneficiary when bops were I discovered the Duran Duran came to play in the Front Quad. of your philanthropy? No. We hope, however, that Old the excellent standards of student intimacy of a telephone call More often than not we were given some form of Members recognise the College’s influence and choose called sweaties that cannot be replaced advice or encouragement. ‘Good luck,’ some said, whilst support that we are so proud of to give back accordingly. Support Exeter and you support and when Duran with an email. Through a others told us ‘don’t worry too much, make the most of it.’ future developments in global medicine and poverty telephone I could hear the These stories, over and above the knowledge that we reduction. The College simply would not exist without the Duran came to sounds of a CD playing in were doing something worthwhile for Exeter, made those support of people who want Exeter – and Oxford – to play in the Front the background, of dinner three weeks special. maintain their global impact. Quad being made, the bustle of One day I will pick up the phone and a student will tell an office, the hooting of me about the College’s current fundraising efforts. I will cars in the street. already be convinced.

34 EXON Autumn 2012 www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni Photo: Holly Quinlan contacts alumni in the Telethon office www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni EXON Autumn 2012 35 Fundraising Top of the Class All’s Well that Ends Well Tmshleyi A (1980, PPE) wants to provide both for his future and the country’s, and he may have the answer Exeter is now the best supported college in Oxford, with over 36% of Old Members giving. Exeter’s Development Officer explains why every gift, large or small, is important E mILY Watson (2002, Literae Humaniores)

o legacy is so rich as honesty.’ So says Mariana in – elite. Aside from the heritage trail, top-flight education ‘NAll’s Well that Ends Well and I will take her counsel is our one significant competitive advantage. by being honest here: I don’t want to give the College a So this is my thinking: I don’t want Oxford to become oes the 2012 participation challenge ring any bells? and over 50% of undergraduate Old Members great deal of money – at least, not right at this moment. a Brideshead Theme Park. I want it to remain amongst DProbably – the message has been hammered home from 2006 and 2007 have also given in the last year. I have other priorities, including provision for my own old the very best seats of learning in the world. Not in order via brochures, telethon conversations, emails, videos and The gifts were often modest, but our youngest Exonians age, which I intend to enjoy raucously. to massage my own alumnus ego, but because I truly talks at events. Exeter has been attempting to increase are showing that they understand the significance I read the other day, however, that the greatest strain believe that every penny put into achieving this goal the proportion of donors significantly over the past year, of participation. on the future finances of the National Health Service will comes back to the nation, and I am delighted to report that 59% more people This leads to the objection that wealthier alumni come not from the obese or the smokers and drinkers: they many fold, and that the nation gave to the College in 2011-12 than in 2010-11 – a truly should give. They should indeed! But Exeter’s Campaign are expensive for a short while only, before vacating the badly needs it. exceptional result. The total participation rate for 2011- Gifts Manager, Tessa Stanley Price, can present a more wards forever. No, it is the sprightly that will sap the blood of I don’t want My past and present 12 was over 36%, compared with 22% the previous convincing argument to Exonians who are considering the nation, hanging on with a series of minor health issues. owe a debt to the future and year. This means that Exeter is the Oxford college with a six or even seven-figure gift when she can show them With future government policy likely to veer further towards Oxford if I am too concerned with the highest alumni participation. Now that Exeter has that large numbers of the wider Exeter family are playing ‘Can Pay Must Pay’, most of us are aware of the need to to become providing for my own old age attained these heights, 10 members of our Campaign their part, at the level they can afford. The nature of keep something in reserve to finance an uncertain future. to discharge that debt now, the Committee will release a wonderful gift of £131,400. the participation challenge is a good illustration of this, Then there are all the Other Good Causes demanding a Brideshead best I can do is to ensure that This gift will fund 69% of hardship bursaries offered by with 10 Exonians donating £13,140 each when Exeter a slice: the hungry, ill, oppressed or uneducated. Children Theme Park it is paid on my demise. So I Exeter College in 2013. reached its participation target. facing horrors, seniors facing loneliness, citizens facing am going to leave Coll Exon a So how did we achieve such momentous results? Finally, whilst it is true that participation rates are death squads: an endless parade of hands and mouths far high proportion of what is left Primarily, telephone campaigns. Where we have managed competitive and potentially something for a fundraiser to be more needy than those of the Pimms-quaffing, gown- when I snuff it. And if you, like to contact Old Members on telethons, nearly 70% have proud of, a fundraiser who loses sight of their core objective wearing, soon-to-be-highly-paid people we once were me, are not a generous current responded positively. Knowing that your gift, even if it is in their frenzy to reach a participation target is doing a real and are now being asked to subsidise. giver, I hope you will consider doing the same. only £5, could release £131,400 is rather motivating! disservice to the institution which he or she works for. But hang on. Didn’t we get all that more or less for free? If you are thinking carefully about your will, the However, among the 30% who prefer not to donate, Participation will always be important because it is With that privilege (yes, we added our own talents chances are you were born and raised in a Golden Age. the following objections have been voiced: one of the main criteria by which trusts and foundations and efforts to the mix but we were also most certainly Property prices rose magically every time you made a judge whether or not an institution privileged) comes responsibility. Not the responsibility to purchase. You have had the best healthcare the world • My £5 isn’t going to make a difference deserves support. Furthermore, fund the perpetuation of an elite, some might say. And has ever seen. Many of you will have pensions that few • I’m too poor – wealthier alumni should give small gifts add up: if all our Old that might be a reasonable response, were it not for the could now dream of. And despite the odd skirmish, it has • You shouldn’t approach Old Members for donations Members gave £10, we would fact that in a country where so few people want to do been a peaceful time so you have never been conscripted. so soon after graduation From the raise over £60,000! And it is the dirty work, our future as a nation depends more than But the chips are now down, and Your Country – and Your • Participation is just a statistic that makes fundraisers graduating worth noting that a gift of £32.50 ever on the brains of that academic – rather than social College – Need You. look good a year to our Annual Fund is class of worth as much to us as a one- First, even £5 will most certainly have an impact. Together 2008-09, off endowment gift of £1,000. these individual gifts have released a massive gift of Crucially even small donations, £131,400. More than that, participation helps establish 95% made from a wide distribution base, a culture of giving. Universities in the USA such as a gift allow us to be confident for the Princeton, Harvard, Yale and Exeter’s sister college, future. Knowing that a large Williams, have phenomenally high participation rates. number of supporters count Alumni regularly support their alma mater, and appearing Exeter as a priority lends gravitas on the list of donors is seen as an important testament to ambitions such as redeveloping of one’s allegiance. Success talks: the more donors there the Walton Street site, which might otherwise remain are, the more people want to give! pipedreams. However, the push to increase donor This is why we unblushingly approach our youngest numbers should never detract from the fundraiser’s Old Members – and even departing students are asked main aim: in my case to ensure that our beloved college to contribute. The proportions donating are exemplary – consistently receives sufficient funds from its supporters from the graduating class of 2008-09, 95% made a gift, to preserve its tradition of excellence.

36 EXON Autumn 2012 www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni EXON Autumn 2012 37 Fundraising Campaign Thirty Years of ExVac Campaign Update

As it reaches its 30th anniversary, Exeter’s student-run charity, ExVac, As the 700th anniversary fundraising campaign, Exeter Excelling, goes is as enthusiastic as ever in its work with Oxford’s disadvantaged children from strength to strength, one of Exeter’s generous benefactors looks Kae t Mathieson (2008, Modern Languages) at the progress so far Mar k Houghton-Berry (1976, Literae Humaniores)

xford is a tale of two s Exeter’s 700th Anniversary draws I also take this opportunity to Ocities. As students, Aever closer, both the Development highlight a further means available to we come to the city to fulfil Office and indeed the whole of Governing support Exeter: legacy giving. Changes opportunity, pursuing study Body have been busy with the centrepiece in the most recent Finance Act mean at one of the world’s best of the Campaign – the development of the that, in cases where Inheritance Tax universities. But there are new Walton Street site. is payable, up to 10% of such estates many in Oxford who are The most important news has been can be gifted to charity in return for a not afforded such privilege. the selection (via a competition which reduction in the rate of IHT. What this Oxford City Council drew innovative and exciting entries from means in practice is that a legacy can be estimates that there are a number of prominent firms) of Alison left to the College without any reduction 5,800 Oxford children living Brooks Architects (ABA) to produce the in the sums payable to one’s heirs. In in poverty, and it is some of design for the new building. Founded effect, you can choose to direct money these children that ExVac in 1996, ABA has already won the to Exeter that would otherwise go to (Exeter College Vacation UK’s three most prestigious awards for the government. Please do contact the Project) strives to help. architecture. Their initial thoughts for the Development Office for further details. ExVac was founded 30 site have been enthusiastically received years ago by Carol Amos by the College and by the Campaign and James Riddiough. Its Committee. You can see the initial design mission was to provide concepts overleaf. holidays for local children The focus of the Development Office The level of support who need reprieve from Two children proudly wear their ExVac t-shirts remains on raising the funds to allow us that Exeter is difficult home situations, to make ABA’s exciting designs a reality. and its ethos remains the same today. Working with independence as opposed to dependence. I am therefore very pleased to report that starting to receive Oxfordshire Social Services, we receive applications from We hope that ExVac acts as a bridge between town the total gifts and pledges raised towards is an example children aged seven to 11 with a wide range of backgrounds: and university, and in addition to this, we see its cohesive the redevelopment of Walton Street to the broader those who are being neglected or abused; whose parents influence in Exeter College itself. Bringing together now stand at £11m. (Total numbers struggle with mental health problems or alcoholism; who are volunteers from every year as committee members and for the Campaign thus far, as reported University of what sole carers for parents or siblings. Our aim is to give them a leaders, almost every member of College – staff and elsewhere, are higher than this, but they can be achieved break from this and allow them to be children again. student – has contributed to ExVac in some way, be it include significant sums raised for the Every Easter, 32 children, many of whom have never posing for or purchasing the ever-popular Naked Calendar, superb new graduate accommodation left Oxford, and 16 Exeter College volunteers set off on buying a cake from a bake sale in the Lodge, or attending at Exeter House and for the support of two week-long residential holidays, meticulously planned fundraising events from the ExMas Revue to the Alternative various teaching posts, inter alia.) to include a variety of activities, from rushing down Valentine’s Day formal hall. We thank the Fellows of An additional focus this year Despite the achievements detailed rollercoasters to concentrating intensely at pottery painting. College for their generous response to our Christmas has been on increasing the rate of above, which are particularly gratifying Superficially, the holidays may appear frivolous and their appeal, and we are also indebted to the College alumni, participation amongst our Old Members. given the current economic climate, we long-term benefit limited, but this could not be further from who support us so generously and consistently. When the Government’s tax incentives are not yet where we will need to be by the truth. Behind the theme park and zoo visits, ExVac has a As ExVac looks forward to the next 30 successful for charitable giving (now, thankfully, the end of the Campaign. I therefore take more profound influence. The two-to-one child-leader ratio years, the 31st committee take up their positions at a time confirmed to be continuing unchanged this opportunity to encourage all of you to allows us to get to know the children within a safe, caring of financial and social instability. While it is increasingly for future years) are taken into account, continue to make every effort to support environment. It inspires trust and confidence in the children, difficult to raise the funds required for the holidays – even the smallest regular contributions Exeter to the limit of your financial who often confide in us. We are granted a privileged position approximately £18,000 in total – we believe our presence can accumulate to amounts that can abilities. We have the opportunity to help not always accessible to social workers or teachers, and is needed more than ever by families struggling to cope. make a significant difference to the Exeter take a giant leap forward at a time are thus able to report back to Social Services anything of Though class division looms large in Oxford, for those College. Additionally, the overall level of when university education in the UK is concern, as part of the comprehensive reports we write on involved with ExVac it almost ceases to exist. To the children, support from Old Members is always one facing significant challenges, and to do each child at the end of the holiday. we are grown-up friends letting them have fun. And to us of the most persuasive arguments we so would be a superb legacy to leave We do not profess to move mountains, and we know our they are bright, funny, loving and lively – just as children can make in pursuit of major donations, to succeeding generations. We all have impact is limited. We get to know the children for one week, should be, regardless of social or financial circumstance. be they from fellow alumni or the wider much to be grateful to Exeter College but sever all contact afterwards. While this attitude may community of Friends of the College. The for, and ongoing support of the appear contradictory to our commitment to the children, it Paul Heaton, Lodge Porter, will be cycling from Land’s level of support that Exeter is starting Campaign, whatever your individual is in itself a vitally important part of ExVac: we teach the End to John o’ Groats to raise funds for ExVac this September. to receive is an example to the broader financial position, is a fitting way of children the value of a positive goodbye, inspiring in them To donate visit www.charitygiving.co.uk/paulheaton. University of what can be achieved. acknowledging that debt. The Walton Street premises

38 EXON Autumn 2012 www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni EXON Autumn 2012 39 Campaign Building the Future

Last year, Exon described work from five architectural practices shortlisted to design Exeter’s new quad. Now, the architect behind the winning design presents her vision of Walton Street Alis on Brooks 1 2

xeter’s new residential and academic lectures, parties, performances and other Equad project at Walton Street is an noisy activities. The geometry of the extraordinary opportunity to expand curved and dormered roof will make a dramatically the College’s facilities and to distinctive contribution to the roofscape of reinterpret the Oxford quadrangle tradition Oxford, and will also create unique vaulted for the 21st century. After winning the student and Fellows’ rooms on the top design competition for the new quad last floor, with spectacular views. November, Alison Brooks Architects has In response to ABA’s design been intensively developing its design workshops and consultations, we have with Fellows, students, the wider College made advances in the quad’s design community and our consultant team over the past months which include to ensure the architecture responds expanding the lower ground floor level precisely to the College’s requirements, to provide student games and IT rooms, technically to the demands of the brief future College archive space and a fully and responsibly to its sensitive Walton equipped kitchen with the capacity to 4 Street context. provide meals for up to 100 people. Our primary concept for the scheme is We have been working closely with our an S-shaped building embracing two garden structural and environmental engineering quads; one an amphitheatre-like courtyard team to integrate sustainable technologies oriented to the south towards Worcester such as solar thermal hot water, air source College, and the other a more intimately heat pumps and rainwater recycling. scaled walled garden facing north towards ‘Participatory’ smart control systems are Jericho. The two quads set up a spatial being integrated within the designs to narrative connected at its heart by a multi- encourage students and staff to reduce level social space, the Learning Commons. the building’s energy consumption as a This space will offer a range of places where collective environmental project. students and staff can informally gather, find The next few months will involve a calm private space to work, stage major consultations with key local interest events, or use the café that spills out onto groups and statutory bodies, often the one of the two courtyards. It can be adapted biggest challenge of any big architectural to a huge range of uses. project in Oxford. The consultation will As a counterpoint to the open-plan feed into ABA’s further refinement and Learning Commons, our scheme provides testing of the design, leading up to a 5 6 a new multi-purpose hall overlooking fully co-ordinated planning submission the north quad. This is an acoustically for Exeter’s new Walton Street quad by 1 The Learning Commons 2 Entrance Hall 3 View from South Quad separated pavilion that can be used for November 2012. 3 4 Auditorium 5 View from Worcester Place 6 Student room

40 EXON Autumn 2012 www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni EXON Autumn 2012 41 Alumni World Food Prize Awarded to John Kufuor Aftershocks

The Exonian former President of Ghana is commended for his achievements After the devastation of the Christchurch earthquakes in alleviating hunger and implementing agricultural growth in 2011, Oxford University opened its doors to more than Tmhyi ot Davies (2010, PPE) 30 displaced students. Jaee m ElDEr (2011, PPE) tells her story

n 2011 one of Exeter’s most of 5.1% per annum between 2001 and y memories of the violent earthquake an adjustment, these were some of the Cs hri Simpson (1959, famous alumni, John Kufuor 2008. There were improvements in nearly that struck Christchurch on 22 most rewarding academic experiences of I M Chemistry) (1961, PPE), was awarded all basic indicators, but especially in food February 2011 remain vivid. Even as I my studies to date. the World Food Prize together security and poverty. Farmers’ incomes braced myself in the door frame, I knew When I arrived at Exeter, I was with former Brazilian President rose and a nationwide feeding programme that, this time, it was really bad. It is neither immediately drawn into the festivity and Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. John in schools saw child nutrition and school the shaking nor the deafening roar that excitement of attending the ball – a sharp Kufuor served as President of attendance improve. stand out now – it is the struggle afterwards contrast with the environment I had left Ghana from 2001 to 2009. The to contact family and friends. I still have behind. The value of social occasions – n 22 February 2011 we were watching Prize, which is the foremost nightmares in which I cannot find my family. formal dinners, punting, playing croquet OThe King’s Speech in a Christchurch international award for individual With traffic at a standstill and phone – should not be underestimated. The cinema. Suddenly we were bouncing half a achievements in improving the networks overwhelmed, we had to walk into friends made and fun times shared during metre in every direction. The film stopped, quality, quantity, or availability Mr Kufuor oversaw the central city to collect my brother from my stay played a key part, in tandem with the emergency lighting came on. We were of food in the world, recognised improvements in nearly school. We saw people crying and bleeding, the incredible academic opportunities, to alive and unhurt. Outside the magnitude of their ‘personal commitment some clearly in shock, huddled beneath make it a time of recovery, rejuvenation, the damage to the building was revealed. and visionary leadership’ during all basic indicators, emergency blankets. The stories emerging and renewed inspiration both personally Grey muddy water was spurting up from their presidencies in alleviating but especially in food were grim – falling masonry and collapsed and academically. the joins between the tarmac and curb hunger and poverty in their buildings with people trapped inside. Christchurch remains a broken city on and was almost across the road. We drove respective countries. security and poverty After the immediate tragedy came the the slow path to recovery. The aftershocks through places where the water was During his time as president reality of continued life in the devastated city. are on-going (as I sat down to write this up to the car door, witnessing cars that Mr Kufuor strove to secure As a fourth year philosophy student at the we had another 5.2 on the Richter scale), had nose-dived into holes or sunk in the and improve food security in University of Canterbury, this meant lectures the central business district remains liquefied silt. That was the 6.3 magnitude Ghana. Through economic and The political stability of Ghana since held in tents, courses taught online, and most cordoned off, and rebuilding will be slow. quake, which killed 185 people and educational reforms, Ghana 2000 has been crucial in bringing about buildings, including libraries, being closed. However, there are also pockets of injured over 6,000. Three entire suburbs became the first Sub-Saharan positive changes. After being the first Oxford’s response included welcoming hope. Someone said to me recently that the were destroyed by liquefaction. They will African country to cut in half Sub-Saharan African country to receive more than 30 Canterbury students to response to the earthquake, both locally probably never be rebuilt. the proportion of its population independence in 1957, Ghana had an study for Trinity Term. I was lucky enough and internationally, has forever restored her suffering from hunger and living infamous trend of political instability to be placed at Exeter. I roomed with a faith in the inherent goodness of humanity. I on less than a dollar a day. This and economic decline. The end of the lovely student named Gessica Howarth, think this is true for many in Christchurch, Former presidents Kufuor (right) and Lula (left) was accomplished in 2008, seven years ‘revolving door syndrome’ of military coups who immediately made me feel at home. because examples of such goodness are receiving the prize ahead of the Millennium Development and civilian rule in 1993, and the return to My tutorials were with Dr Eagle, to whom I ubiquitous. The generosity of those who Goal schedule. multi-party politics, indicated the start of a am grateful for his generosity in taking me made it possible for me to study at Exeter When Mr Kufuor was elected President transition towards democracy. In the 2000 on and for encouraging and challenging is an exemplary case of this, and one for in 2000, he inherited a country facing elections, for the first time since Ghana’s me in equal measure. While initially quite which I am incredibly grateful. difficult policy choices with an unfavourable independence, power changed hands economic environment impacting on human by peaceful means. The consolidation of development. The economic deterioration democracy continued with the peaceful of Ghana was most pronounced in the transition to President Mills following the agricultural sector which employs more 2008 elections. than 55% of the country’s labour force, Mr Kufuor left behind him a more accounting for three quarters of its export prosperous and stable country that must earnings and 35% of its GDP. Programmes be sustained if Ghana’s economy and initiated in 2001 saw agricultural growth middle class are to continue to grow.

42 EXON Autumn 2012 www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni EXON Autumn 2012 43 Alumni Good Karma Touching Mad Dogs and Englishmen Bass The first foreign cricket team to tour Pakistan since March 2009 receives a warm welcome, unbeatable hospitality and an armed guard Peter Mann meditates on the building of a Exeter alumnus Spencer Crawley (2006, History) Milarepa Tower in the serene kingdom of Bhutan and half of Pte e r Mann (1971, English) dubstep duo Nero reaches number one in the UK music charts M l iCHae Lisanti, Development Assistant

n August 2011 former Exeter student IJoseph Ray (2002, Philosophy and Modern Languages) reached number one in the UK music charts with his band Nero and their debut album Welcome Reality. Nero’s music is rooted in the sound of dubstep, a bass orientated genre that have been fascinated by Buddhism ever sacrifice comfort and safety in this life originated in the UK and is influenced since coming to the Far East nearly 40 for the dharma. I by a wide range of styles, notably reggae, years ago. Given my past experience as a On 2 November 2011, His Holiness garage, 2-step and drum and bass. district officer in Hong Kong, I was invited to the Je Khenpo (spiritual leader of Bhutan Nero have gone further than many help with the management of an ambitious and second only to the king) officiated at proponents of the genre, incorporating project in the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan. the ground-breaking ceremony, watched n 1 April 2012 a squad of 15 students match against the Pakistan under-19 side elements of RnB, classical and pop The Ven. Lama Kelzang, a Bhutanese lama by a crowd of thousands. The tower and graduates of UK universities was reduced to a Day/Night Twenty20 music. The result is euphoric music that is O based in Hong Kong, is building the very first and accompanying monastery will be a travelled to Pakistan to play cricket and match, out of pity towards the reddening ambitious and challenging, designed to fill The 35 degrees heat was in Milarepa Tower in Bhutan. religious, cultural and tourist landmark raise money for charity. We had four tourists. That our humiliation was covered stadia and nightclubs. itself a challenge, so much so Milarepa (b.1052) is a famous in the area, built and maintained using matches, and lost every one of them. Our live on national television was both Tibetan saint and yogi who was asked charitable donations. The tower is opposition goes some way to explaining exciting and somewhat embarrassing. that our second match against by his master, Marpa the Translator, to dedicated to the benefit of all sentient the steady flow of defeats: two matches The tour was sponsored by Sir General the Pakistan under-19 side beings, and it is hoped that the monastery David Richards, British Chief of Defence build a nine-storey tower. Marpa treated against the Pakistan under-19s, one was reduced to a Day/Night Mila very harshly, asking him to move will produce some great future masters. It is euphoric music against the famous Aitchison College Staff, as well as the Pakistan Cricket the tower a number of times in order My job is to co-ordinate the project and (which has produced six captains of the Board. The aim was to raise money for Twenty20 match to purify Mila’s bad karma, caused by liaise with the architect, engineer and the that is ambitious and Pakistan national side) and, less explicably, the Afghan Appeal Fund, set up by family an early career in black magic. Despite Royal Bhutan Government. challenging, designed to one against a local village side playing on a members of British servicemen to build this frustration and hardship, Mila never Situated close to the Indian border in fill stadia and nightclubs farm one hour south of Lahore. schools in the region. At the time of writing lost faith in his guru. The original tower, south Bhutan, the tower is expected to The 35 degrees heat was in itself a £10,000 has been raised, with further which still stands in Tibet, is a symbol attract many visitors from the Darjeeling challenge, so much so that our second fund-raising events scheduled this year. news for us – it meant a degree of of the absolute faith of a disciple in his area. Entering the little-known kingdom of No foreign media attention and professional master and a reminder that one should Bhutan is said to be like entering heaven. team had toured facilities entirely disproportionate to Bhutan has a small, intensely Buddhist Joseph Ray is a classically trained Pakistan since our collective talents. The national population. It is clean and unspoilt, with guitarist, while his band-mate Daniel the Sri Lanka captain, the national coach and various a spectacular landscape and unpolluted Stephens attended a specialist music National Cricket Pakistani cricket legends came to environment. The country manages to school. Their experimental music is Team’s bus was give us advice (not heeded, clearly), The original tower is preserve its rich cultural heritage thanks exemplified by their recent collaboration attacked in while we were generously housed in a symbol of the absolute largely to its relative isolation. with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra. March 2009. The the National Cricket Academy, next to faith of a disciple in his Rather than employ the widely accepted This 15-minute movement blends dubstep Pakistan Cricket their Test Ground where we played two western measure of economic success, rhythms and melody with the power and Board latched matches. Similarly, we were escorted master and a reminder gross domestic product, Bhutan considers variety that an orchestra provides. onto our tour in on all journeys by two armoured Punjab that one should sacrifice all government policies with regard to GNH: Nero have had a UK number one their strained police jeeps and solemn guards with comfort and safety in gross national happiness. Now that a single with their track Promises, and attempts to prove weighty AK-47s. Add to that a series constitutional monarchy and a democratic also produced the chart-topping hit that it is safe of excited press conferences and, for a this life for the dharma government have been introduced, it is Stay Awake by Example. They are to play cricket moment, we could imagine the life of a hoped that everyone will be able to share touring North America, Australia and in Pakistan. professional cricketer. Until, of course, in the kingdom’s good fortune. Europe this autumn. This was great we stepped onto the cricket field...

44 EXON Autumn 2012 www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni EXON Autumn 2012 45 Alumni Back Section Olympic Torch in Exonian Hands #Oxfordtrending

Sir Roger Bannister returns to the site of the first ever four-minute mile to carry Oxford’s Head of Alumni Communications, the Olympic torch on its way to a new generation of athletes Alison Edwards, welcomes the social media revolution Creha li Howell (2008, Literae Humaniores) and its applications in University life

he Olympic Torch was helped on its way Tthrough Oxford in July by Alan Chen (2010, Financial Economics) and Sir Roger Bannister (1946, Physiological Sciences). Sir Roger’s record-breaking run on a windy day 58 years ago will be familiar to all, although Exeter also remembers him for qualifying as a doctor in the same month, for his later contributions to medicine as a prominent neurologist, and for introducing henomenon!’ ‘Revolution!’ The use of social media appears to be throughout the University have become steroids tests to British athletics as the UK We know that the press has a more than just a passing trend. It provides adept in the art of saying what they need Sports Council’s first Chairman. ‘P propensity to apply sensationalist labels. us with the means to pull together into to in 140 characters or less. The 7am start on 10 July brought a However, is social media just a fad, or is a single place topics and news which The real power of social media lies smaller crowd but similar conditions as it symptomatic of major changes in the interest us. Moreover, with mobile in the stimulus it provides to share and Sir Roger carried the torch over the finish way we interact with one another? internet devices we can now access this engage with content. line at the Iffley Road running track. The According to the 2011 figures from information any time, anywhere. I can now find out in real time if an track was renamed after him in 2007 the Oxford Internet Institute, 60% Those of us responsible for Old Member is enjoying my careers event to commemorate the latest of many of British internet users use social communicating with Oxford’s 200,000+ by following their live tweets. I can poll refurbishments, the first of which Sir Roger networking sites, up from 49% in 2009. alumni – of whom almost two thirds fall Facebook users on everything from their organised while still at Exeter in 1948, as Most of this growth has been among into the 25-55 age bracket – are waking favourite G&D’s ice cream flavour to President of the University’s Athletics Club. employed people aged 25-55, and up to the power of social media. Our their thoughts on who the next Vice- On 9 July Alan Chen carried the age, education, occupation and income alumni are already using these platforms Chancellor should be. In turn, alumni can torch in recognition of his commitment continue to divide users; the young, (129,000 and growing on LinkedIn, share memories of Oxford, give feedback to the community. A long-term hospital the wealthy and the well-educated and over 150,000 on Facebook). With on our alumni activities, or ask a question volunteer and teacher of science and remain the most engaged online. the advent of Twitter, alumni offices and receive answers within minutes from Chinese at local schools, the University both the institution and other alumni. Vive knows Mr Chen better for his work with la revolution! enterprising students as Chair of the Finance Oxford Business Network. A safe pair of hands for the flame (Photo: John Cairns) Top Five Oxford Twitter Picks @oxfordalumni oxfordalumni @ the_zooniverse University of Oxford Alumni special technique to land the aircraft’s A collection of citizen science project websites Pilot Perils 1 @ExeterCollegeOx three wheels on the ground simultaneously. developmentoffice.exetercollege I have indelible recollections of a cross- Exeter College Association channel flight to Le Touquet, because night @DH_Oxford Brian Phillips (1948, Physiological Sciences) reveals was falling rapidly on the return journey and I 2 Oxford digital humanities projects how holding a private pilot’s license can bring thrills did not possess the necessary qualification for night flying. Fortunately I landed in and risks in equal measure twilight but with severely depleted adrenalin. @TEDx Oxbridge During a trip from High Wycombe to 3 An independently organised TEDx event Bournemouth, a wall of fog descended hen I was five years old my father A few hours of training culminated in with nil visibility. I was ‘talked down’ Wtook me for a five shilling (20 pence) my first solo flight. My apprehension when with unsurpassed relief and enhanced @MarcusDuSautoy I can poll Facebook users on flight around Croydon aerodrome. Since the instructor vacated his seat was offset gratitude for radar. 4 Simonyi Professor for the Public Understanding then I have had a passion for aircraft and by the surge of intense concentration. Flying requires a therapeutic degree of Science and Professor of Mathematics everything from their favourite flying. I was able to indulge this through There can only be one first solo and I of concentration, because it excludes G&D’s ice cream flavour to an association with the Civil Service flying savoured it in retrospect. I have flown a irrelevant thoughts. However, alongside the their thoughts on who the next club in the 1960s. However, it was not number of different aircraft, each with its instrument panel in the first light aircraft I @OxfordUniSport long before aptitude proved no match for own challenges. The famous Tiger Moth, flew was a small notice with the sobering 5 Updates and news from the Sports Federation Vice-Chancellor should be enthusiasm so my private pilot’s licence an early biplane, was hard work in contrast caveat ‘All aircraft bite fools’. Not being was achieved with no mean effort. to more modern aeroplanes, requiring a inclined to be bitten, I decided to quit.

46 EXON Autumn 2012 www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni EXON Autumn 2012 47 Back Section Published Exonians

With an unprecedented number of published Exonians over the last year, writing on topics as diverse as sexual attitudes and economic theory, the College continues to produce outstanding writers, both academic and non-academic

On History Is That a Fish in Your Ear?: The Origins of Sex Tariq Ali (1963, PPE) Translation and the Faramerz Dabhoiwala Author and filmmaker meaning of everything (Fellow in History) Tariq Ali and filmmaker David Bellos Dr Dabhoiwala’s debut Oliver Stone discuss the (1963, Modern Languages) book explores the changes politics of history, drawing Aiming to show that in sexual attitudes which upon long-buried episodes such as the translation is at the heart of how humans occurred during the period he calls ‘the US intervention against the Russian understand each other, Is That a Fish first sexual revolution’. Having received Revolution and the links between US in Your Ear? uses a range of human critical acclaim from major newspapers presidents and the Saudi royal family. experience, from film to philosophy, to in Britain and abroad, The Origins of Sex demonstrate that without translation, we demonstrates that this revolution shaped Masters of Nothing: would not be able to communicate. the world we live in today. How the crash will happen again unless we Where the Wild Lionel Asbo: understand human nature Things Were State of England Matthew Hancock MP Stanley Johnson Martin Amis (1968, English) (1996, PPE) (1959, English) In this modern fairy-tale a Matthew Hancock and Nadhim Zahawi Stanley Johnson documents violent, albeit unsuccessful, The sun makes a welcome appearance for the inaugural Young Alumni Garden Party investigate the 2007 financial crash and his travels from Exmoor criminal learns he has won the role played by human nature. Seeking to Ecuador, revealing the incredible £139m on the National Lottery. However to understand the herd instincts of the experiences and infectious humour of the implications for his ward and nephew, Old Members’ Association boom years and the responses to financial a man committed to the defence of the Des Pepperdine, are not straightforward downturns, the book examines both what wilderness. Featuring encounters with as Des has reason to fear his uncle’s went wrong and what needs to change. pandas and blue whales, Jane Goodall vengeance. As Exeter approaches its 700th year, it’s all hands on deck to make sure and blue-footed boobies, Mr Johnson’s All Business is Local: passion is abundant. Grimm Tales: For young that 2014 brings an unforgettable anniversary Why place matters more and old than ever in a global, Immortal Bird Philip Pullman (1965, English) K iNSEY Forsdyke, Alumni Relations Officer virtual world Doron Weber (1978, English) Philip Pullman takes his John Quelch This memoir focuses on the 50 favourite fairy-tales by (1969, Modern History) fight for life of Mr Weber’s the Brothers Grimm and John Quelch and Katherine Jocz argue eldest son, Damon, who retells them with his characteristic clarity xeter has had another marvellous As for 2014 itself, we will have A CD will also be released so that no one that the key to success in business is was born with a congenital of expression. Grimm Tales explores year of events, including a lecture at all of the celebrations for this major need miss out. E not to neglect the power of locality in heart defect and later developed protein- the longevity of these stories, as well the Sheldonian Theatre by our Fellow in anniversary inked in the diary by the We expect a visit from Honorary an increasingly globalised world, and to losing enteropathy (PLE). Immortal Bird as providing commentaries on the History, Dr Dabhoiwala, on his debut book end of 2012. There will be ‘decade days’ Fellow Queen Sofia of Spain in autumn understand the value which consumers provides a touching account of a father’s background of each fairy-tale. The Origins of Sex; and the inaugural throughout the year, where a generation 2013. Naturally such an auspicious attach to place. struggle to save his remarkable son, and Young Alumni Garden Party, which of Exonians at a time is invited to relive anniversary should also receive approval a young boy’s appetite for life. Umbrella coincided with Summer Eights. Now our their student days and catch up with from the British royal family, and we hope Getting Zambia to Work Will Self (1979, PPE) thoughts are turning to the big 700th, old friends. We hope to welcome all Old to be honoured with the company of a Chisanga Puta-Chekwe John Thomas Serres In his latest book, Will Self in 2014, which I know many of you are Members back to College at some stage member of the Windsor family at some (1977, PPE) (1759-1825): The tireless explores mental health looking forward to. in the year. We will be organising events point in 2014. We are also enthusiastically Mr Puta-Chekwe examines enterprise of a marine artist in a bleak envisaging of The 700th Anniversary Lecture series around the world as well, to share this planning a grand celebration around critical issues in Zambia’s Alan Russett (1949, History) 20th-century London. will continue, and in Michaelmas Term happy occasion with our overseas Old the time of the College’s foundation recent history, including Alan Russett celebrates Umbrella follows the encounter between we will welcome Philip Pullman (1965, Members and Friends. date – 4 April. (Incidentally, you may be the country’s unhealthy dependency on the work of John Thomas Zack Busner, a maverick psychiatrist, English), author of the His Dark Materials Exeter’s organ scholars and Choir interested to know that Exeter is the foreign largess and their implications Serres, an English artist who served and Audrey Dearth, a former munitions trilogy, who will be speaking on the folk are carefully considering composers oldest Oxford college with solid evidence for national self-assertion, social self- as Maritime Painter to King George worker sectioned decades earlier and tales of the Brothers Grimm. In Hilary for a special commemorative piece of of its foundation date: tithes of the parish reliance and sustainable development. III. Mr Russett shows how, despite the comatose since the end of the First World Term our guest speaker will be Sir Paul music for the College’s 700th birthday. of Gwinear, Cornwall, made over to the He also suggests simple ways in which challenges posed by the profligacy of his War. Dearth’s awakening invites Busner Nurse, President of the Royal Society Of course, with a new score there must College by Walter de Stapeldon, Bishop of Zambia could lift itself out of its current wife, John Thomas Serres captured his to consider the impact of modernity and Nobel Prize winner. The informative, be a concert! In fact it is intended that Exeter and Treasurer of England.) underdevelopment trap. admiration for the sea on canvas. upon the psyche. varied, and celebrative lectures will the Choir will perform the piece to many Watch this space! Further details will continue for at least the next two years. eager audiences during an extensive tour. be published soon.

48 EXON Autumn 2012 www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni EXON Autumn 2012 49 Back Section The Year in Pictures 2

From snow on the quad to drama in the garden, Exeter’s year is as vibrant and varied as ever

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3 5 7 5

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1 Trashing 2 Scottish dancing on Burns Night 3 Champagne for the rowers after Summer Eights 4 Charity fundraising day with sumo suits 1 Adam Ward (2011, PPE) at the Rector’s music evening 2 The Choir performs in Santa Maria de Montserrat during its tour of Barcelona 5 Max Mulvany’s (2009, Fine Art) Snow Rector 6 Maggie Pinsent, Bedel of Arts, with John le Carré in the Fellows’ Garden before Encaenia 3 The cast of The Importance of Being Earnest rehearses in the Fellows’ Garden 4 Daily life on Turl Street 5 The Turl Street Arts Festival 7 Exeter College RFC v Exeter Old Boys jazz parade 6 Christening of Jack Bush, with his mother Marielle and his father Robert Bush (2011, Applied Statistics) 7 Students on their way to the Examination Schools

50 EXON Autumn 2012 www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni EXON Autumn 2012 51 EVENT DATES FOR YOUR DIARY 2012 – 2013

Sunday 16 September Friday 8 February Association Lunch (Oxford Alumni Weekend) Parents’ Night – Dinner in College

Tuesday 18 September Sunday 17 February Hong Kong Reception 700th Anniversary Lecture by Sir Paul Nurse

Wednesday 19 September Friday 22 February Singapore Dinner Fortescue Society Dinner (Oxford)

S aTURDAY 22 September S aTURDAY 16 March Gaudy 1998 – 2000 Gaudy 2001 – 2003

Sunday 30 September Friday 26 April Freshers’ Parents’ Tea PPE Society Dinner

Tuesday 9 OctobeR Friday 3 May Gifted and Talented Event ExVac Dinner

Friday 26 October S aTURDAY 11 May Engineering and Physics Dinner 1314 Society Garden Party

Friday 2 November S aTURDAY 25 May Medical Society Dinner Young Alumni Garden Party and ECBCA Dinner

Sunday 4 November June (date to be confirmed) 700th Anniversary Lecture by Philip Pullman Exeter in the City – Summer Drinks (London)

S aTURDAY 10 November Sunday 9 June Charles Lyell Dinner Commemoration of Benefactors

Thursday 6 December Sunday 16 June Varsity Rugby Match (Twickenham) Leavers’ Parents’ Lunch

Thursday 6 December S aTURDAY 22 June Exeter in the City – Winter Drinks (London) Gaudy for 2004 onwards

January (date to be confirmed) S aTURDAY 13 July European Event (Zürich) Graduation for ‘historic graduands’

For more information or to reserve a place at any of these events, please contact the Alumni Relations Officer, details below.

THE DEVELOPMENT OFFICE, EXETER COLLEGE, OXFORD, OX1 3DP. TEL: +44 (0) 1865 279620 WWW.EXETER.OX.AC.UK/ALUMNI EMAIL: [email protected]

Exeter College is a Registered Charity Number 1141333