Innovation and inspiration Philip Pullman on Stephen Hawking’s ‘Origin of the Universe’ Changes in Oxford subfusc, governance and admissions College and community exvac, channel swimming and school visits the Exeter college magazine issue 9 autumn 2006 the role of the chapel www.exetercollege.net The Chaplain and Old Members explore
invisible friends Yahoo!’s Jon Gisby looks at the future of the internet
How can art EXHIBITIONS stay relevant? BRANDING THE NATIONAL GALLERY Research snapshots Low temperature physics, deep brain stimulation, and Byzantine history
PLUS RUGBY REUNION, travel scholars, Uganda, SPACE, internships, Chemistry and The truth about student hardship welcome to exon
Jonathan Snicker, Development Director In the University as a whole, this Contents Editorial for the past six years, has left to take a has been a quieter year. A review of Rector’s Address by Frances Cairncross 1 career break. undergraduate admissions has attempted This is my first year producing Exon Mark Birch, Chaplain for the past to ensure that students of equal academic College News magazine since I came to Exeter three years, has also sadly left to become potential have an equal chance of Channel for Charity by Catherine Hay 2 College as Alumni Officer in January chaplain at Helen and Douglas Houses, admission to Oxford, whichever college All Singing From the Same Hymn Sheet by Katherine Barker 3 2006. It has been a busy six months two hospices for terminally ill children they apply to, in order to end the A Not So ‘Common’ Room by Mawuli Ladzekpo 3 for us, with a packed Old Members’ and young people. In his place the pervasive view outside the University that A Day in the Life of a Porter by Chris Probert 4 programme of events and publications, College has its first female Chaplain, admissions to Oxford are a lottery. The Chemistry Today by Matthew Smith 5 and a fantastically successful Helen Orchard. Keith Brain also came to colleges have also reached agreement Stepping Out by Daragh McDowell and Corrissa Tung 6 telephone campaign. We have also, the end of his Staines Fellowship. We will with the University on new fund-raising A New and Refreshing Perspective by Andrew Sellers 7 of course, said goodbye to Jonathan miss them all. principles, designed to ensure that alumni North American Travel Scholars by Gareth Thomas and Christopher Martin 8 Snicker, Director of Development for The College celebrated in several ways are not bombarded with competing claims Not Just Dreaming Spires by Hannah Parham and Helen Stubbs 10 the past six years. its links with Williams College in western from different branches of the University, There is Nothing Like Looking, If You Want to Find Something by Carol Topley, Emily Part of what makes Exeter College Massachusetts, from where 26 junior- but are encouraged to give to the causes Pull and Meredith Riedel 12 special is our diversity, from our year students arrive each year and make they care about most. Sporting Achievements by Ben Fox 15 student intake to the life experiences a tremendous contribution to College The commitment and support of our of our Old Members. For this reason, life. This year, the Williams-at-Exeter Old Members remains one of our most University News Exon 06 has the overarching theme of Rector’s Address Programme celebrated its 21st birthday precious assets. They make it possible for News in Brief by Alison Copeland 16 ‘innovation’. We have tried to bring you with a reception at the residence of the us to flourish; their generosity changes the Under New Governance by Alison Copeland and Frances Cairncross 17 thought-provoking material, written By Frances Cairncross British Ambassador in Washington DC. lives of many brilliant and hard-working The Great Subfusc Debate by Corrissa Tung 18 by and for Exonians, that pays tribute (Rector) An even grander celebration is planned young people. Even modest sums can Take Me On by Alison Copeland, Jonathan Herring and Frances Cairncross 19 to the many interesting fields and for the Programme’s 25th birthday, in have a big impact. For example, a gift of activities in which our members are Welcome to the latest issue of Exon. The the summer of 2010. In addition, thanks £50 pays for an hour of tutorial teaching Fundraising involved. There are some snap-shots of magazine gives a wonderful picture of the to the generosity of Bennett Boskey, an – and just may turn out to be the hour that Sacre Coeur by Mark Birch and John Smith 20 original research by current students tremendous range of activities that go on alumnus of Williams College, Exeter counts when it comes to Finals! We are Calling All Exonians by Anna Doyle 22 and a Fellow’s profile to demonstrate at this College, from an annual dinner to has also acquired a new Junior Research particularly keen that our most supportive Another ExVac Success by Matthew Carter 23 how current members are contributing celebrate Burns Night to a cross-Channel Fellowship in politics. The first holder of Old Members should never feel that they The Nuts and Bolts of Student Life by Katrina Hancock and Ian Reid 24 to the intellectual community. We swim, and from helping Oxford’s neediest this new post is Elisabetta Brighi. She will shoulder the burden of support on their Benefactions by Katrina Hancock and Alison Copeland 26 have a feature by Philip Pullman that children to get a holiday to repairing the divide her teaching between Williams own. It is encouraging for them to hear takes a ‘novel’ approach to discussing ravages of time on the Chapel’s stonework. and Exeter students. that their contemporaries are also helping Feature a lecture given by Stephen Hawking These pages also tell you what varied Our Old Members have helped us in the next generation, on whatever scale The Origin of the Universe: Philip Pullman on Stephen Hawking 27 on the origin of the universe. In our and fascinating lives our Old Members all sorts of wonderful ways this year. For they can afford. viewpoint section our writers have lead. You will learn about travels in instance, in the Hall, Mark Houghton- Enjoy Exon, and the stimulating picture Viewpoint drawn on issues in their own work to Uganda and research with the National Berry has generously made it possible it gives of this great College. And, if you The Invisible Hand Now Has An Invisible Mouse by Jon Gisby 30 produce three articles that address Optical Astronomy Observatory for us to turn the gallery into useable are passing through Oxford, do drop in to Branding and Marketing a Nation’s Art Collection by Danielle Childlow 33 innovations in established or recently- (Arizona). You will enjoy an article by space, where we can hold receptions and say hello. Rise of the Global Meritocracy by Frances Cairncross 36 established fields. Philip Pullman, one of our most famous dinners. It may seem that there is an undue Old Members, and excerpts from the Thanks to the contributions of many Alumni emphasis on all things science in notorious JCR Suggestions Books. Pull it Old Members, we increasingly have News from Old Members by Christopher Kirwan 38 this issue – but don’t worry! We all together, and you have a picture of a funds to help undergraduates who suffer Chemistry Then by Michael Seakins 40 have already started commissioning thriving and lively community. hardship. We take extremely seriously Floreat Exon by Alison Copeland and Peter Walters 41 pieces for Exon 07 which will have The College has sadly said goodbye our commitment that no undergraduate In a Galaxy Far, Far Away by Emily MacDonald 42 more of an arts/media focus, so if to some familiar faces in the past year, should ever drop out of a course o f The Age of the Gentleman Explorer by Daragh McDowell 44 you have something you would like but also welcomed some exciting study because of inadequate Uganda, A View of the North by Richard Winn 45 to include please do drop us a line at newcomers. John Maddicott, who funds. However, we are Old Member’s Association and Oxford University Society 46 [email protected]. taught mediaeval history to generations now expanding our Fifty Five Years On by John Speirs and Desperately Seeking... 48 Finally, this edition of Exon was of students, has retired. At a series of range of financial aid made possible by the support of dinners to mark his departure, his former to offer scholarships Back Section many people but my particular thanks students remembered, with a deep sense based on merit to 1952 Matriculands, 1957 Rugby, 1967 Matriculands 49 go to Corrissa Tung (2003, Literae of affection, the brilliance, patience the most talented Busters 50 Humaniores), an intern who worked and humanity of his teaching. Thanks to graduate students. Good Evening Moon by Chris Simpson 51 incredibly hard to collate the College the generosity of Sir Ronald Cohen and We find that A Year in Pictures 52 news section. assisted by a well-supported campaign quite modest A Public Zone Production. among Old Members, the College has assistance can www.publiczone.co.uk Alison Copeland been able to endow a new Fellowship make a substantial ph: 020 7267 4774 (Alumni Officer) in modern British and European history, difference to Publisher: Jonathan Simmons Editorial Director: Emma Sorensen [email protected] filled by Christina de Bellaigue. the quality of Designer: Gregory Mills Professor Elizabeth Jeffreys, whose the students we Exeter College Editorial Team: work on Byzantine studies has brought attract – and to Frances Cairncross, Alison Copeland, Katrina Hancock, Christopher Kirwan, Corrissa Tung a stream of interesting graduate students their welfare Cover image: istock to the College, has also retired. And too.
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All Singing From the A Not So ‘Common’ Room Channel for Charity By Mawuli Ladzekpo (2005, PPE) Exeter’s beloved Junior Common Same Hymm Sheet Room (JCR) was given an eagerly awaited makeover in the summer. The College Choir is an integral part of our community with This is the first time in over four a reputation as one of the best in Oxford. This year they decades that the JCR has been renovated and the work is expected recorded a CD and sang at the Edinburgh Festival. to cost somewhere in the region of By Katherine Barker £100,000. After the building work has (2003, Literae Humaniores) one of the best mixed choirs in Oxford. been completed, the new-look JCR Again, the concert was varied in its will offer students a range of amenities music, demonstrating the choir’s ability including, for the first time, direct It has been another very active year for to sing a variety of styles with enthusiasm access to the kitchen, and a number the choir. We welcomed several new and musicality. In Trinity term, the choir of upgraded vending machines. It members (Exeter freshers and from other recorded a CD, which will be released will also boast a flat-screen TV and Colleges) including a new junior organ on Dinmore Records and available to sophisticated lighting – students will scholar, Carlene Mills. As well as the purchase from the College from October. be able to watch their favourite TV regular Evensongs, we performed our The choir tour this year was to programmes, such as Neighbours, first concert of the year in Michaelmas Edinburgh, where we sang as part of the Desperate Housewives and football Term. The first half included pieces which Edinburgh Festival at St Mary’s Cathedral, matches, in style. varied as much in composer as they did in St Giles’ Cathedral and Canon Gate Kirk. The overarching vision behind style and included the latest offering from Under our Chaplain, Mark Birch, the the changes to the JCR was to a current member of the choir, Jonathan choir has continued to thrive. We are offer students a refuge from their Bridcut (History, 2003), ‘Why Do You sad to see him leave but wish him all the seemingly relentless academic studies
istock istock Stand Far Off?’, composed in memory of best. Although we are saying farewell to that would be in their own image. the victims of the July 7th bombings in quite a few valued members of the choir The Home Bursar, Eric Bennett, This summer a band of enterprising students set themselves a momentous challenge: to swim the London. We also sang Parson’s Ave Maria, and to Stephen Wood (Senior Organ said ‘At the planning stage we held English Channel to raise funds for charity. Catherine Hay, who despite her enthusiasm about the Dum Transisset by Taverna, Salve Regina Scholar), to whom we extend our thanks consultation meetings and asked the by Howells and MacMillan’s Christus for all his work, those who remain are students what they wanted – after all project couldn’t quite be talked into actually swimming with the group, reports on the swim. Vincut, a very atmospheric piece set for looking forward to all that next year has it’s their room’. eight parts. A second concert, in Hilary to offer. Plans are already being made for Eric says the Jacobean-inspired By Catherine Hay College. He and his team members spent headed off at around 9:30 on Saturday term, was at least as well attended by a summer tour to Truro in 2007. We also décor will restore the JCR to its (2005, PPE) Trinity term clocking in hours at the morning.’ members of the College and people from hope to have a Carol Service specifically original splendour: ‘I am sure students Summertown pool in preparation for the But amidst the success Noah is swift the wider Oxford community, showing for Old Members. Watch the website for will enjoy using it’. At Oxford, we expect worlds to meet. swim, which was scheduled to coincide to point out that at the end of the day Exeter’s strong reputation for having choir news updates. However, the idea of American students with the Summer Solstice, in order to give the crossing was inspired by the women swimming the English Channel to support the swimmers the longest day possible for aided by the Mothers Programmes. ‘So far HIV positive mothers in South Africa their passage to the French coast. we’ve raised about £4,000 for our charity, is a little out of the ordinary. Channel Over the course of the crossing the which is a fantastic amount of money for Charity is certainly ambitious: ten team took shifts to swim, with each that will make a huge difference in so swimmers of varying experience taking swimmer covering just over two miles many lives. However, we’re planning to turns to swim the chilly 21 miles between in two separate swims. Aboard the safety continue fundraising, so hopefully this Dover and Calais. But ultimately the swim boat, the other nine swimmers waited till total will go up. The need in Africa is so was a very exciting way to raise money it was their time to dive in again. ‘The great that every donation goes quite far for a worthwhile cause: the Mothers safety boat was responsible for charting and helps enormously.’ Programmes. The Mothers Programmes our course across the Channel, regularly were set up in 2001 by Williams reporting our position to the coast guard, On 24 June 2006 Channel for Charity College (Massachusetts) alumni and are and ensuring our safety throughout the completed their English Channel dedicated to supporting HIV positive swim,’ Noah said. ‘We were fortunate crossing in 11 hours, 10 minutes, mothers in Africa. Through education and to have secured a Pilot and safety boat missing sunset by about 15 minutes. empowerment, the Mothers Programmes with an incredible amount of experience Donations to the Mothers Programmes equip women with the tools to prevent accompanying successful swim attempts may be made securely online at mother-to-child transmission of HIV as of the Channel.’ One of the swimmers, www.channelforcharity.org or by well as to combat the stigma attached to Devin Yagel (also a Williams Student at cheque to Friends of the Mothers their condition in their communities. Exeter), said that she was a little wary Programmes c/o Noah Smith-Drelich, Channel for Charity was organised by before setting off. ‘I really didn’t know 145 Banbury Road, Oxford OX2 7AN.
Noah Smith-Drelich who, like many of the what to expect because I’d never done Catherine Hay is organising a second Ladzekpo (2005, PPE) Mawuli Photos by other swimmers, spent last year studying open-water swimming before, but it swim: [email protected].
at Exeter on his year abroad from Williams was hard not to feel optimistic when we Programme) Williams-Exeter (2005, Noah Smith-Drelich
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the bell on the gates in Broad Street hoping to drive into the College for free parking. The first thing we do is sort the post and Chemistry Today place it in the student and staff pigeon- holes. We are often entertained as we do this by the Oxford Tour Guide, who usually During the 2006 Telephone Campaign at Easter, a number of Old Members brings a group of up to 20 tourists into the told the student callers that it would be nice to read something in Exon about the experience of studying particular subjects at Exeter today, to see how it compared with earlier years. You asked for it, so we start with Chemistry.
By Matthew Smith the reward is a thorough understanding of inorganic and physical chemistry) has (2005, Chemistry) the little things that make up everything. a different style and preferred way of As the American astronomer Sagan said: working, placing different demands ‘Somewhere, something incredible is on a student. Through my tutorials and waiting to be known.’ classes I’ve been introduced to, among My typical week features ten hours of other things, classical thermodynamics, lectures with the fun usually beginning electrochemistry, and quantum theory as at 9 o’clock, making a lie-in a rarity well as the more mundane maths and for the regular attender. A good physics. I haven’t had the opportunity All photos by Noah Smith-Drelich (2005, Williams-Exeter Programme) Williams-Exeter (2005, Noah Smith-Drelich All photos by performance from an enthusiastic to use anything as romantic as an College at about 11am (‘This is Exeter lecturer is well worth the early electron microscope but I have used College Chapel, a cheap imitation of the start, though an hour of apathetic an infrared spectrometer. But things Sainte Chapelle in Paris’). In addition, we laser-pointing is less inspiring and haven’t changed very much over the A Day in the Life normally have at least one visitor turning life seems to be just refluxing away. years – the majority of my work still up for an appointment with Professor However, no other subject offers relies on the good old Bunsen burner X or Dr Y (of whom we’ve never heard). the combination of explosions and and some litmus paper! Photo by Noah Smith-Drelich (2005, Williams-Exeter Williams-Exeter (2005, Noah Smith-Drelich Photo by Programme) On asking them to confirm they have the bright colours that can be found in College hosted its first Chemistry of a Porter correct College, the answer is usually ‘this Chemistry is the study of substances the best chemistry lectures. Dinner in Trinity term: an excellent is Lincoln isn’t it?’! and their elements and the way in I’m sure all our Old Members event, well supported by In the modern world, Lodge Porters must have the following In the afternoons the College is thrown which they react. All at once chemistry will appreciate that tutorials students and Fellows. As characteristics: a sense of humour, understanding, open to the public – it is during this time seems simple and impossible: the whole are something special; the physical sciences lose that the porters have to be extra vigilant world is governed by it. Few courses they are quite favour with students, I hope politeness and a great deal of patience when they get the against opportunist thieves. Not to mention, offer the kind of structure and attention unlike anything I’d that chemistry at Exeter is urge to throttle someone! in the summer, the conference guests who from academics that chemists enjoy as experienced before never consigned to the back always have a question or two from ‘can undergraduates. It is an intense workload, coming here. Each of my Bunsen. Right now, it’s alive By Chris Probert a general mine of information. There I get a room with air conditioning?’ (no) but it is manageable and consistent, and three tutors (in organic, and well. (Head Porter, Exeter College)
appears to be a common misconception to ‘my swipe card doesn’t appear to work’ See Chemistry Then page 40. istock amongst overseas visitors that we carry luggage. We don’t – we organise the carrying of luggage! A typical day during term begins when two day porters take over from the night porter. From the minute we clock in, The Telethon there are usually interruptions from the telephone switchboard, (I have found that if I leave it ringing long enough, it stops – only joking); some inane questions from 12 students, 554 phone calls members of the public; and people ringing £113,548 As Lodge Porters we have many roles. (you need to take it out of the little plastic We act as telephonist or secretary when holder first – it’s amazing how few people and the re-telling of a legendary taking calls and messages; postman (or have any common sense!). woman), sorting incoming and outgoing Some days are busier than others. istock mail; trained first-aider in case of mishap; However, in general our days fly by. No practical joke played on Jesus College. security guard, keeping a look out for sooner do the students arrive than they suspicious people; a custodian of the seem to be leaving again. All in all, I have college keys; mother/father/friend to found the porter’s job to be an enjoyable, the students; detective when attempting different experience, where the clientele Turn to page 22 to read about the success of this year’s telethon. to identify lost property; and, finally, keep one young and active.
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Name: Rajiv Tanna Name: Harriet Mancey-Barratt Stepping Out School: Mathematics School: English A New and Refreshing Internships are a valuable Year of Matriculation: 2003 Year of Matriculation: 2002 Internship with: HSBC Private Internship with: Public Zone, experience and a way to Perspective Bank, Geneva London make informed career Andrew Sellers is the current holder of the Alberta Bart choices. Exeter’s Careers So, how was Geneva? I was fortunate What were your responsibilities? I was Holaday Scholarship. The Scholarship gives graduates of the that not only was the work placement working for the publishing agency that Officer, Daragh McDowell, an amazing opportunity, but it was produced Exon 2005, and this was my United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) the opportunity has been busy helping based in Geneva. I found I was lucky major project, though I helped out on to study at Exeter College for up to two years. more Exeter students to enough to be living in the Old Town: other clients’ projects too. As such, I (2005, Noah Smith-Drelich Photo by Programme) Williams-Exeter a pleasant 20 minute stroll to the did whatever needed doing to help By Andrew Sellers step out and experience office, with a relaxing walk past the Jet compile and produce Exon, which (2005, Computer Science) careers. Indeed, I can imagine no better accompanied by my wonderful new wife, the world of work. D’eau and across Lake Geneva every included writing copy, proofreading counterpart to my previous education Andrea. Neither of us had ever been to morning. and reducing articles to fit, liaising Upon graduating from the US Air at the Academy than my academic Europe before so we’ve enjoyed travelling By Daragh McDowell with the graphic designer, chasing Force Academy, I was commissioned experience at the Oxford University around the United Kingdom visiting sites of (2005, Russian and East Very nice. What was involved in writers, checking facts, researching as a Second Lieutenant in the United Computing Laboratory. historical and cultural significance. We never European Studies) the internship? I worked in the images and checking copyright issues. States Air Force and assigned to Exeter Life at Oxford is far more than studying. get tired of exploring castles, museums and Treasury Department of the Private College for two years. This extraordinary I have made what will be life-long churches, and as we see more places, we get The Exeter College Careers Office was Bank, specifically attached to risk What did you enjoy the most? Working opportunity has been made possible by friendships with people from all over the a greater appreciation for how much more set up in the 2004-05 academic year in management. After making my initial so hard on something and then getting the generosity of Bart Holaday, a 1965 world. I enjoy new insight, not just into there is and marvel at the vibrant national order to provide young Exonians with introductions, I was set a project to the finished product with my name on Exeter matriculand. other academic disciplines but into other identity of the British people. internships and careers opportunities as calculate Daily NII on the Private it (obviously very small!). It was also I study at the Oxford University world-views as well. The College itself After my time at Oxford, I will continue they take their first steps into the wider Bank’s Investment Portfolio. After an outlet for my pathetic obsession Computing Laboratory. My time at the offers an abundance of opportunities to to serve in the United States Air Force. I world. This year has seen the Careers Office successfully constructing a model with spelling and punctuation. ComLab has been divided between discuss, and gain insight into, current am a communications/computers officer expand and deepen our partnerships that correctly predicted daily income coursework and research in Active and in this capacity I am certain I will in order to provide a comprehensive to high accuracy, I spent a lot of time Did you make a lot of coffee? Not Database Systems under the supervision of frequently apply the technical education service for Exeter students, building on with the traders on the fixed income really – I happened to be there over Professor Georg Gottlob. The ComLab has I have not had such I have acquired. Perhaps of even greater the foundations laid by Glen Goodman desk and sat in on advisory meetings. the Project Manager’s holiday, so was a diverse offering of courses, covering the value will be the new and refreshing (2004, South American Lit.) in 2005. The given much more responsibility than latest advancements in many specialities an international perspective that has come from living programme this year has included careers Sounds complicated? Yes, this was I would have had otherwise, or at a within computer science. I have fully and working among, and with, the great workshops and speakers in addition to its challenging work that required me to larger company. It was quite scary to availed myself of this opportunity to experience before minds in Oxford. I highly value my Air core functions. learn a lot of financial terminology. But be thrown in the deep end, but I learnt learn new methods and techniques in Force education and training; however, The Careers Office currently has after two years studying mathematics, a lot more quickly than if I’d just been computing. I am able to consult world- events affecting all aspects of politics Oxford has provided a life and work internship schemes with numerous it was a pleasant surprise to find I pottering around doing minor tasks. renowned computer scientists and and culture through lectures from expert experience that cannot be found in a companies in fields ranging from finance could actually use my degree in the mathematicians while pursuing my guests with international reputations. I military environment. and journalism to law and technology, real world! What was your least favourite part? The educational goals. This programme also have the benefit of the further activities Life at Oxford is fundamentally different and many more are planned. nature of magazine and web publishing facilitates frequent collaboration with available from the Oxford clubs as well as than that at the Air Force Academy, All work and no play? My internship is its speed. Deadlines are frequent, as my peers, an international group of rising those organised by the College’s Middle w h e r e the training of We would like to thank the following did afford a wonderful opportunity to opposed to book publishing, so the computing stars, and I have no doubt of Common Room. future military Old Members and Friends and their explore every corner of the city and work could be stressful and chaotic. the great achievements they have ahead I came to Oxford officers necessitates companies for their help in running venture out to neighbouring towns. of them. The Oxford approach to learning last October regimentation and the internship programme this year: I was also lucky enough to catch the What did you learn from this? To be encourages a pro-active and independent strict order. The most AIB, Shom Bhattacharya end of the Montreaux Jazz Festival, confident about my role in a project, approach to research. I am confident that striking difference is HSBC, Rebecca Hill and thoroughly enjoyed the live music to speak up if I’m dubious about the such an education in computing fosters in time management. EIU, Daniel Franklin and atmosphere. details of what I have to do, and to the skills necessary for us to stay At Oxford our time is ABPI, Richard Barker trust my instincts. abreast of new technological almost entirely our own. It’s JRF, Richard Best How did the internship help you? It advancements while a welcome change of lifestyle, Library House, Charles Cotton was most helpful in helping me decide How has it affected your career making meaningful where I can more freely pursue Benfield, Richard Dudley upon a career path, and I would like to aspirations? It’s given me really useful s c i e n t i f i c other interests, study at my own pace JMMorgan Stanley, Anaita Bhaskaran extend my thanks to the Rector, HSBC skills that mean I can follow this career contributions and take a much more independent Nicolas Piramal, Swati Piramal Private Bank and in particular Clive path for a good few years while I for the rest role in my own education. Lastminute.com, Ian McCaig Bannister (PPE, 1977). decide whether or not it is for me long of our Oxford has literally opened a new Alliance and Leicester, Fay Harriman term. It is hard to get publishing work world to me, and I hope that the Lovells, Clare Harris experience, so the internship gave me experience will make me a better Air EDF, Vincent Denby-Wilkes a foot in the door. After the internship Force Officer. I have not had such an istock Cordless, Philip Ross Interviews by Corrissa Tung (2003, I was employed part-time for eight international experience before and Michael Best & Friedrich, Joyce Nordman Literae Humaniores). To find out more months while I did my MA; then it I know this contact will enhance my Newsweek, Rana Foroohar or participate contact the Careers helped me to get another job in book capabilities in my future career. I am truly EIU, Daniel Franklin [email protected] . publishing so it was really very helpful. grateful.
EXON Autumn 2006 www.exetercollege.net EXON Autumn 2006 www.exetercollege.net news North American Travel Scholars 2005
Gareth Thomas was awarded the North American Travel Scholarship in 2005 and spent There was plenty to see and do in central Chris Martin at the Grand Canyon. his summer travelling across Canada and the United States, meeting up with a number of Manhattan. I’m fairly sure I covered at least Exonians along the way. Chris Martin also received funding from the Old Members Fund to the top 20 tourist attractions with the useful local knowledge from the Exonians I met assist him to travel to the United States and he gives us an insight into his experiences. there. Particular highlights included lunch in Central Park in Strawberry Fields, taking finished a respectable third out of the six the Staten Island Ferry past the Statue of My Travels in yachts racing. Liberty and visiting Times Square during My next port of call was the French- rush hour. I commuted in to central New speaking city of Montreal, where I stayed York from Long Island, where I was staying North America with David Mitchell who had studied with Jo and Joan Jesty who taught in the By Gareth Thomas French Language and Literature at Exeter local medical school. It was interesting (2003, Physiological Sciences) and in 1955-56 became ‘Lecteur d’anglais’ to hear their views on the American at the Ecole Normale Supérieure, rue medical system and compare it to my own hen I heard that I had won the d’Ulm in Paris, a post earlier held by the experiences of medical school at Oxford. WNorth American Scholarship I playwright Samuel Beckett. He had many The final destination of my tour was could barely contain my excitement. After stories of college life: one of the most Gareth Thomas at dinner with Exonians in Boston where I stayed with Ned Sahin. 20 hours of connecting flights I crashed entertaining was of a Welsh undergraduate Toronto. Staying with Ned was an incredible down onto the runway. After months of he had known who, whilst knocking back opportunity as he works in the field of waiting, planning and reminding myself ale in the Stapeldon Arms, apparently who arranged a picturesque walk along Neuroscience, specifically speech and that exams would soon be over, I was forgot his stage-cue in A Midsummer the beach into the city centre. After a trip language. Boston is pretty much the centre actually beginning my six week journey Night’s Dream put on by Ned Sherrin in up the Sears tower and an architectural of the world for Neuroscience and I had the An Experience coverage, that Danny Glover’s words across Canada and the US. the Fellows’ Garden. boat cruise with two current Exonians on fantastic chance to meet one of the most really summed up what we were all I had landed in Halifax, Nova Scotia. My holiday in Chicago, I really felt I was able famous neuroscientists in the US, Steven seeing, ‘[that when Katrina] struck, it did first week was spent in the small fishing my parents had seen to piece together the city and it is one of Pinker. In addition Ned took me on a tour of the US not turn the region into a Third World village of Chester with Keith and Amy Fox. the most impressive I have visited. The of Massachusetts General Hospital and By Christopher Martin country... it revealed one’. Once I had shaken off my jet-lag, I was him perform in Wales three of us also attended a meal hosted the William James Psychology building (2002, Mathematics) In Billings, Montana, I was hosted by able to appreciate fully the spectacular by the English Speaking Union. The at Harvard and I attended a fascinating if the Cech family, who made sure that I was coastal scenery that Nova Scotia had It was now time to board the Toronto members were incredibly enthusiastic to slightly controversial lecture entitled ‘The ast year I was offered the chance to treated to the true Montana experience: to offer. During my visit to the famous Express and return to English-speaking meet Oxford Students despite seeming Intelligence Gene’ by Bruce Luhn in MIT. Lvisit the USA all expenses paid. I was an all-American barbecue on the first Peggy’s Bay I was treated to a freshly Canada, where I was to spend my time slightly disappointed that we were two The final day of my trip was to choose where I wanted to go, who I night, followed by a day of rafting with caught lobster and given a good lesson on staying with Clint Ross and his girlfriend Medics and a Lawyer rather than English unforgettable. I spent the morning whale wanted to see and then make it happen; Russ Lord and a traditional steak-house how to eat it. I also enjoyed taking part in Heather. They took me on a boat ride students passionate about Shakespeare watching out of Boston Harbour and this was the tough part. The pressure meal that evening. It was so very different
istock the local weekly yacht race, with Keith’s to Niagara Falls, and I also spent an and Wordsworth. was lucky enough to see two humpback of yet another set of finals papers was from New York and Washington. expert guidance. After partial afternoon in the Sky Dome watching a I was rather excited about going to whales feeding, one of which performed looming, I’d been outside of the UK just When stepping out of the airport in concussion when I nail-biting game of baseball between stay with Richard Sparks and his family a ‘full breach’ from the water. In the once before and never on my own! Phoenix, Arizona, into the 40 degree failed to duck the the Toronto Blue Jays and the Tampa Bay in Beverley Hills. Richard made sure I evening it was Boston’s 375th Birthday: My first ever long-haul flight brought me centigrade surroundings, I learnt that boom, we Devil Rays. A major highlight during my wasn’t disappointed, entertaining me I watched the most incredible firework to Washington DC: ‘We’re approximately stay was attending a dinner put on for me with cocktails in their stunning back display and left with a bang! 10 minutes from landing,’ said the pilot. ‘If by Chisanga Puta-Chekwe, which was garden, sushi on Rodeo Drive and visits Many Old Exonians went out of their way you could just fill in the green form in front we can’t let you in attended by several proud Old Exonians to the stunning white sands of Venice to show me their way of life and entertain of you now, this will make the customs including Richard Fitzsimmons, Beach and downtown Hollywood. The me. The link we shared through Exeter procedure a lot smoother.’ Sounds easy without an address Bernard Wolfe, Seumas Woods highlight of my week was going to the VIP College remains a strong tie even across enough: name, age… address at which and Rex Williams. after-party at the Crosby, Stills and Nash continents. you will be staying. Ah – I didn’t know when based in the desert, air conditioning In Chicago, I concert held in the open air Greek Theatre that. It won’t matter though will it? really makes a difference. The wild west was hosted where I was introduced to Graham Nash. ‘I’m sorry sir, we can’t let you in is still alive in the heart of Arizona. I was by Frank He thought it was hilarious when I told without an address,’ was the retort I was shown a rather amusing, and somewhat N i m s , him my parents had seen him perform in greeted with on handing over my ‘green inauthentic, wild west recreation group South Wales when he used to be in the form’. ‘Well, that’s it then’ I thought, but at a local, restored gold-mining village. Hollies. During my stay I also had a great my host, Chuck Anderson, saved the day. This was no preparation for the next day lunch with Peter Dunham in the deluxe Helpfully, just past the customs desk, he when I was to embark on quite a journey: setting of the Beverley Hills Hotel where rescued me from the clutches of the US a five-hour drive to the Grand Canyon. he made me very jealous by telling me customs department. What a day and what a sight. about all of the young actresses, such The topic on everyone’s lips in NY was In retrospect, all that I can say is thank as Jessica Biel and Jennifer Garner, that Hurricane Katrina and the disastrously you to everyone who helped me on he got to meet while designing their inefficient relief effort. I felt whilst I was my trip; without you it wouldn’t have million-dollar mansions. Gareth Thomas with Graham Nash. there, and after seeing so much news happened. Let’s do it again one day!
EXON Autumn 2006 www.exetercollege.net EXON Autumn 2006 www.exetercollege.net news
attempted their own mock trial, with our undergraduates acting as judge and jury. I frequently meet with the access and Not Just Dreaming Spires... schools liaison officers in other Oxford colleges, departments and the Admissions Office. We share our various resources Exeter College sits right in the centre of Oxford, with its Chapel spire dominating the Oxford and experiences and ensure that our skyline. Increasingly, Exeter is also central to the community through the outreach work of Oxford in particular, regardless of their work reflects an awareness of the projects Exeter Inspires! social, ethnic, regional or educational undertaken by others. For example, I the well-established Exeter Vacation project (ExVac), in the newly-formed Aspire! programme background. Summer is a busy time. recently assisted Helen Odom, Oxford’s for local school children and through the work of our Schools Liaison Officer. Students are By Helen Stubbs (2002, English) Many applicants use the summer months Access Cymru/Wales Officer, by addressing to visit campuses and colleges and finalise 450 students on the Welsh open day about enthusiastic about these initiatives and their Exeter experience is enriched as a result. Helen Stubbs was appointed as Schools their decisions, or listen to applications my experiences as a Welsh student at Exeter Liaison Officer for Exeter and Lincoln talks in their schools and colleges. My College, before accompanying her on a children responded impressively to their In this and subsequent school visits, Colleges in February 2006. Here she job involves hosting Open Days, showing series of Oxbridge seminars in Colwyn Bay Aspire! surroundings and their intimidated silence the student leaders have risen to the explains why this role is so important for smaller groups of prospective applicants and Cardiff. Students find it encouraging soon evaporated as they discovered the challenge of leading large classes of the College. around the colleges, running targeted to speak to someone from the same Hannah Parham brilliant details of the stained glass, the energetic children and the results have events like our recent Exeter Schools Year background and whenever I travel to (2001, Modern History) colourful mosaic and the superb brass been praised by teachers. remember when I decided that I was 12 visit, and giving Oxbridge Admissions schools I try to take some of our own lectern. Back at school, the children The programme has been established I definitely going to apply to Oxford. talks to sixth formers in schools across the undergraduates from the same area. hildren at over 25 Oxfordshire primary wrote letters of thanks to the Chaplain by the Chaplain, Mark Birch, and Old It was a warm July evening, and my country. Future plans for Schools Liaison Cschools have been invited to visit Exeter from which it is clear that the visit had Members and Friends of the College. These sixteen-year-old self was in the Fellows’ As well as working more extensively at Exeter include developing our College, the backdrop to Philip Pullman’s a notable effect. One child wrote, include Rosemary Peacocke, a former Garden. I had just attended a poetry with sixth formers, and maintaining current work in the West Country. I
Northern Lights and a place that evokes ‘When we grow up we would all like Senior Inspector of Schools and the wife reading in the Rector’s Lodgings as part of and developing links with schools, the recently met representatives from St Archive Virtual Detail from a print by all the magic of JK Rowling’s Hogwarts to become students of Exeter College’. of Arthur Peacocke (1942, Chemistry) and a truly inspirational week on the Sutton post now makes it possible for Exeter to John’s College, and the Secondary for the children. The focus of these visits is Another passed on good wishes to the Hannah Parham (2001, Modern History) Trust Summer School. During the week provide its own programme of Aspiration Schools Association in Cornwall the Chapel, where undergraduates (some who works for English Heritage. Tom I met current undergraduates and was Days. These days provide an opportunity to discuss a future programme of whom are aspiring teachers) lead the it is crucial to plant Pugh (2001, Chemistry) who is a newly- taught by Oxford’s top academics. This for bright 14-15 year-old students to of road shows, talks and visits children in sessions designed to enrich the qualified teacher, offered guidance to experience, coupled with some very visit Exeter College, find out more about to and from the area. I have also teaching of Art, History, Music and Religious seeds of aspiration in student leaders. Organ Scholars, members sound advice from the Oxford Colleges higher education and meet undergraduate met the Schools Liaison Officer Studies. The visit includes a treasure hunt, of the choir, and other undergraduates have Admissions Office, dispelled the many students, as well as take part in academic for Jesus College and hope which has been specially designed to a child’s imagination provided the leadership and enthusiasm to myths about Oxbridge that I had brought activities. The experience also addresses that we can host a ‘Turl Street illuminate the building’s magnificent art which the children respond so well during with me. I was determined to apply and some of the misconceptions students Colleges’ event together, either and exciting history. The session ends with student leaders: ‘We hope you did well visits and there are currently ten student to make the very most out of my time in have about a university like Oxford. The for prospective applicants or the children pretending to be the choir and with your rowing and all right with your volunteers. higher education. support of our helpful, approachable for teachers. Although much of singing their favourite hymn in the choir studying’. Lunch in Hall was highlighted ‘The schools to come have a After three fantastic years studying undergraduates and the interesting my work is on behalf of both stalls, accompanied by the organ. The as ‘exquisite’ and the stained glass in the wonderful treat awaiting them’, one English here, it has been a pleasure to sessions led by academics have been colleges, projects that I am programme is accessible and enjoyable Chapel and the ‘secret stair’ to the SCR child who participated in Aspire! said. return to Exeter as Schools and Colleges vital in making these events a success. Dr pursuing for Lincoln include for children from all religious backgrounds received particular praise. The children’s With this in mind, it is good news that Liaison Officer, and pass on some of the Richard Earl (Schools Liaison and Access their Lincolnshire Access and none, and the College does not charge teachers were similarly impressed, with the programme will continue next sound advice and encouragement that Officer for The Mathematical Institute, Initiative, and plans for the schools to participate. head teacher, Liz Burton, commenting: year, and is already fully booked for I was given as a prospective applicant. Statistics Department and the Computing a Classical Archaeology The idea behind the programme is the ‘What a lovely visit! We all enjoyed Michaelmas Term. We’d be delighted to The position is a joint post with Lincoln Laboratory) assisted me with Aspiration and Ancient History state- belief that, while it is counterproductive it… it was perfectly pitched, well paced, hear from new student volunteers or Old College and my job involves advising all Day in College giving a very interesting school subject day. What to set targets for pupils when they are appropriately timed and altogether Members who would like to support the students with the potential to continue lecture on ‘Maths in the Courtroom’, all of these projects and very young (if indeed at all), it is crucial splendid… the chapel has a special programme. If you would like to find out into Higher Education in general, and before 25 students from Derbyshire events have in common to plant seeds of aspiration in a child’s atmosphere. Thank you for inviting us more please get in touch by emailing is that they provide up- imagination. Aspire! offers children the and inspiring our children.’ [email protected]. to-date and accurate opportunity to experience a place like In–Spire–ation information, encouraging Exeter College, and discover its historic Children at the Aspire! Programme enjoying university applications, buildings and traditions of learning lunch in Hall. Plans are also afoot to illuminate Exeter include Carfax Tower and University and promoting Exeter for themselves. The children also meet College’s Chapel spire, highlighting it buildings such as the Radcliffe Camera, College and Oxford to the undergraduates and learn about going to as one of the city’s main architectural is being funded by Ian Laing, former brightest and best students, university in general. We hope that the features. The lighting of the spire, along High Sheriff of Oxford. The scheme will regardless of background. programme will help foster enthusiasm for with the tower of St Michael’s Church make use of low-energy architectural To contact the Schools higher education in the children, so that on Northgate and the spires of St Mary lighting and will not be on all night. and College Liaison they never feel that Oxford, or university, Magdalen Church on Magdalen Street The lighting will greatly increase Officer write to schools. is ‘not for them’. Aspire! also aims to and the Wesley Memorial Chapel, will the beauty of the Oxford skyline in [email protected]. enhance the children’s understanding of form a cross of light in the centre of the evenings, as well as highlighting uk or phone 01865 the place of a college within the city and Oxford. Exeter’s dreaming spire as integral to 279661. the community more broadly. The scheme to light up Oxford the College, the University and the The programme was piloted with St landmarks, which may also soon City of Oxford.
Ebbe’s Primary School, Oxford. The (2001, Modern History) Hannah Parham Photo by
10 EXON Autumn 2006 www.exetercollege.net EXON Autumn 2006 www.exetercollege.net news ‘There is nothing like looking, if you want to find something’
Exeter College has been home to inquiring minds for nearly 700 years. Fellows, Scholars and Commoners have engaged in scholarly research in a broad range of disciplines, from Epilepsy’s range of foci and symptoms Deep Brain make it a challenge to treat. It is thought biochemistry to politics, helping to develop Exeter’s reputation for academic excellence. that DBS works to control the onset of Over the next few pages you will find evidence of this, from a profile of one of our Emeritus Stimulation: seizures by blocking areas of the brain Fellows, Joseph Hatton (Physics) to two pieces of original research from Emily Pull (2003, that produce unusual electrical activity. Physiological Sciences) and Meredith Riedel (2003, Byzantine Studies). Research originally showed DBS to be An Electrifying effective in controlling chemically and
Photo by Noah Smith-Drelich (2005, Noah Smith-Drelich Photo by Programme) Williams-Exeter genetically induced seizures in rats and resonate. Dr Hatton was interested in how Solution to more recent research on humans has been An Inquiring this resonance behaviour changes at low promising with reductions in seizures temperatures, when nuclei can change Neurological of 50-90%. Trials on humans have been Mind their directions. The widespread theory small-scale and often uncontrolled so By Carol Topley at the time was that this change would Disorders further research is needed. (2003, Physics & Physiology) take far longer than a period equal to the age of the universe, which was proved by By Emily Pull Anxiety and Depression Dr Joseph Hatton has had an interesting experiment to be completely wrong! (2003, Physiological Sciences) The role of neurological pathways and career in physics. He is now an Emeritus After obtaining his doctorate in this Emily Pull researches deep brain stimulation. chemical transmitters in psychological Fellow of the College, although he can field, Dr Hatton was offered a fellowship eep brain stimulation’ (DBS) sounds disorders such as obsessive-compulsive still be seen in the quad or in attendance in the physics department of Harvard ‘Ddrastic. Pioneered over 20 years monitoring after the operation. It can disorder and depression is well known, at the occasional Gaudy! University, which he accepted gladly. ago, the initial surgical procedure passes also take a significant amount of time for leading to electroconvulsive and drug Such positions were then still rare in hair-thin electrodes through the skull while the settings of the neurostimulator to be therapy treatments. Current drug therapy n undergraduate during the Second Oxford, and besides, taking up a physics the patient is fully conscious, targeting adjusted to achieve the optimum effect. for OCD is directed at controlling AWorld War, Dr Joe Hatton excelled fellowship at Harvard was, in his words, specific structures within the brain. The final Currently, popular treatments for a abnormal levels of serotonin. 60-70% in physics while still finding the time to ‘like being a Muslim and having the location of the electrode tip depends on range of conditions including epilepsy, of patients respond to the SSRI drugs train part-time as an infantryman during chance to work in Mecca!’ Physics was Joseph Hatton, Emeritus Fellow (Physics). the disease and the symptoms. Electrodes multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors). his time at Oxford. Dr Hatton was still enjoying a golden age in the 1950s are connected via a wire that runs beneath obsessive-compulsive disorder and Behavioural therapy in conjunction especially interested in the physics of and, with new breakthroughs occurring performed important research into the the skin of the scalp and neck to a battery- depression are pharmacologically-based. with drugs, is another option but 20% substances at low temperatures – usually almost every week, it seemed that many behaviour of helium-3 (helium whose powered neurostimulator. The voltage, However, in a significant proportion of of sufferers are unresponsive to both referred to as solid-state physics – and he nucleus contains two protons and only timing and frequency of the electrode can medical and behavioural therapy so for later specialised in this subject. physics was still one neutron) at low temperatures. This be controlled via a remote control held to DBS appears to them DBS provides some hope. In a After his graduation he was asked to type of helium is especially intriguing in the chest near the neurostimulator. recent small-scale study, patients saw an remain in laboratory research, where he enjoying a golden its low-temperature behaviour for many The high-frequency electrical current that provide a good average improvement of their symptoms studied microwave electronics. However, reasons – one of the simplest being that passes through the electrodes is thought to of 36%. More research is needed before after a year Lord Cherwell called him to age in the 1950s with it is possible to achieve, in the laboratory, interrupt the abnormal activity in the brain alternative for some patients can begin to benefit from the Canada in order to join the British nuclear the temperature at which it stops obeying that, in Parkinson’s disease, for example, treatment on a large scale. research team based there, which he new breakthroughs classical laws and begins behaving is caused by the depletion of dopamine. cases, these drugs are not particularly, if at As with all the other illnesses described, found far more interesting. But not long entirely in accordance with the (very Work in monkeys first identified the effects all, effective and DBS appears to provide treatments for depression exist but not all after his arrival the war ended and Dr of them were occurring in America. different) laws of quantum mechanics. of this depletion in two areas of the brain a good alternative for some patients. individuals respond well to traditional Hatton was free to return to Oxford. He During his time at Harvard Dr Hatton As the helium-3 is cooled to lower – the subthalamic nucleus and the globus anti-depressant drugs and therapies such did so in 1946 to join his supervisor in continued his research in low temperature and lower temperatures, its behaviour pallidus – as the cause of Parkinson’s disease; Parkinson’s Disease as counselling. DBS again holds promise. working on researching the phenomenon physics, using NMR techniques. He becomes increasingly complicated, and accordingly, these two areas are the target Since the late 1960s the drug Levodopa In a recent study researchers treated six of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), also taught graduate and undergraduate Dr Hatton’s research resulted in a detailed in DBS-based treatment. Professor John has treated the debilitating tremors patients by targeting an area of the brain which had only just been discovered. students, giving lectures in, among other understanding of this type of helium. Stein (Physiology, University of Oxford) and of Parkinson’s disease. But although called the subgenual cingulate region NMR is a complicated effect, which topics, graduate-level thermodynamics. Dr Hatton continued not only research, neurosurgeon Professor Tipu Aziz were two it initially reduces symptoms it creates that plays a critical role in modulating occurs because of the way nuclei behave As well as his highly interesting research but also the teaching he had so enjoyed of the first surgeons in Britain to attempt this new problems. Many patients develop mood states. Four out of six of the patients within a magnetic field. All nuclei have work Dr Hatton greatly enjoyed teaching, at Harvard. His new position at Exeter procedure on humans in the 1990s. impaired control of movement, with experienced a ‘striking and sustained’ a naturally-occurring magnetic moment, and made many friends among his College allowed him much more direct As with all surgery, there are risks sudden, uncontrolled jerks of the limbs or reduction in their symptoms. In textbook which will point in the same direction as, colleagues and students. He and his wife contact with students than he had at including intra-cranial haemorrhage, neck. DBS has shown promise in reducing fashion, the symptoms returned as soon or in the opposite direction to, a magnetic expected always to remain in America, Harvard, as Harvard did not use the interruption of normal brain function or all symptoms of Parkinson’s disease as the stimulator was turned off. field in which they find themselves. but Exeter College offered Dr Hatton tutorial system as extensively as Oxford worsening of symptoms such as slurring without the side effects of Levodopa. So a nucleus in such a field has two a physics fellowship. At this time the did, and still does. Many of his students of speech and negative effects on mood. The Future of DBS possible states. A nucleus pointing in College was only just beginning to offer at Exeter were extremely bright, and he However, the benefits for most patients Epilepsy Other diseases like Schizophrenia may the opposite direction has more energy scientific subjects – during Dr Hatton’s was certain that several of them ‘would seem to outweigh the risks. So DBS DBS is also showing promising efficacy be treatable and while DBS will never than an identical nucleus in the same years as an undergraduate Exeter had no probably have gone on to win a Nobel was approved in 1997 as a method in the treatment of epilepsy. Epilepsy is provide a panacea for every individual direction as the field, and if a radio wave physicists, engineers, or mathematicians. Prize!’ He found his time at the College of treatment for Parkinson’s disease. caused by electrical hyperactivity in the it offers an exciting alternative to drugs carrying the same amount of energy as In 1953 Dr Hatton became Exeter’s first very enjoyable – like an extended family However, its success depends on careful brain which – like Parkinson’s – usually and drastic surgery for sufferers of many this difference hits the nucleus, it will physics Fellow. It was here that Dr Hatton as it is to many of its members today. selection of patients and extensive has its original focus in a single region. neurological conditions.
12 EXON Autumn 2006 www.exetercollege.net EXON Autumn 2006 www.exetercollege.net 13 news
How much did imperial religious Imperial language affect military operations? Three emperors of the Macedonian Sporting Achievements Religious dynasty – Leo VI (886–912), Constantine VII Porphyrogennitos (913–959) and Rhetoric and Nikephoros II Phokas (963–69) – all The College’s year in sport range of students involved, all learning the Blues’ setup this year). exploited religious idiom. Leo VI wrote their trade under the tutelage of coaches Not to be outdone, the women’s was full of assorted triumphs an influential military manual, the first James Arthur and Dirk-Jan Omtzigt. football team (combined with St Hilda’s) Byzantine Byzantine text known to address the and disasters! Torpids in Hilary term saw four days enjoyed a solid season after losing many Arab military threat. Constantine VII of intense competition and resulted in players from last year’s team, performing Military Power: Porphyrogennitos composed a manual Ben Fox ( 1997, Earth Sciences) encouraging performances all round. well in Cuppers and finishing fourth in of international diplomacy, delivered Summer VIIIs saw the return to the First the second division. As the year went ‘the fury and two theology-laden military orations, Division of the Men’s event of countless on they improved significantly, getting and performed several innovative Oxford University Boat Club athletes, all to the quarter finals of the five-a-side the mire of victory celebrations in Constantinople, Rowing of international standard, and again the competition, only to be knocked out by despite never leading troops into battle. Exeter Men’s First VIII raised its game the eventual champions. Current and past Busters face off. On the Nikephoros II Phokas, the emperor-general A good year for the women’s crews. The through six weeks of training to put in a left side, back row: Andrew Mullin, James human veins’ who earned the epithet ‘White Death of novice As reached the quarter-final of spirited performance. The demise of Oriel, Jordan, Tobias Hopkins, Doug Speed; middle the Saracens’, went so far as to request the Christ Church regatta in Michaelmas, who got bumped on every single day of row: Russell Gammon, Luke Barrs, Matthew Cricket Rigby, Ben Fox; front row: Charlie Morris, that the Orthodox Church recognise dead while the senior boat came first in their the races and dropped to their lowest By Meredith Riedel James Robinson, Andy Williamson. Returning soldiers as martyrs if they fell fighting the division in the Wallingford Head of the position on the river in living memory, The First team cricketers saw most of the (2003, Byzantine History) Busters on the right side, on the back row: Muslims. The bishops refused. River. In Hilary, a record three boats brought joy to many on an unfortunately early season ruined by the famous British Rob Sparkes, Jo Davis, Andrew Fadden, Tom It seems apparent that the rise in Byzantine qualified to row in the snow and driving damp Saturday of VIIIs. weather and, as a result were only able to Barkworth; seated: James Nicholls, Jonny The unpurged images of day recede; military success was accompanied by a rain of Torpids where the first VIII bumped play three of the first seven matches in the Sultoon, Matthew Bale, Paul Stephany, Jon Devaney. Photo by Ben Fox (1997, Earth The Emperor’s drunken soldiery are abed; rising ideological temperature, particularly St John’s, Keble, LMH and Wolfson all top division. In the first round of Cuppers Sciences). Night resonance recedes, night-walkers’ in contradistinction to Muslim faith and within a matter of strokes to gain blades Football the team fell to Merton/Mansfield. Mixed song practice. Even the Orthodox patriarchs for the second successive time. Now results followed, the highlight being After great cathedral gong; fourth in Division 2, the first division is at On the football pitch this year the victory over a strong Wadham team, tradition of excelling at the so-called ‘Bar A starlit or a moonlit dome disdains I hope to show the last in sight for the women! Sadly Trinity College performed admirably but with but collapses against Worcester and Sports’. This rich heritage was upheld All that man is, term was not the success story the women little discernible reward. The JCR First XI Somerville meant that the boys found again this year with David Hoare and Rhys All mere complexities, influence of theology had hoped for. In abysmal weather the missed out on promotion by a single point themselves at the wrong end of the table Jenkins winning the university two-man The fury and the mire of human veins. second VIII qualified comfortably for but did have the consolation of having by the close of the term. pool competition and the Darts First VIII – William Butler Yeats, ‘Byzantium’ on the imperial world Summer VIIIs but finished down three one match ending in a 19-3 victory and claiming both the Cuppers eight-man title places. The Firsts moved up three places another officiated by premiership referee and the ‘beerleg’ six-man title to go with ounded by Constantine in 330 AD participated in cultural affairs, writing overall but were denied blades on the Dermot Gallagher! Busters Cricket last year’s haul of the league title and the Fas the heir of Rome, Byzantium letters to Arab emirs, delivering polemic second day of racing when their bump Cuppers ‘beerleg’ trophy. lasted through 11 centuries of studied sermons, and fortifying or restraining was not recognised – an unfortunate end Despite the recent disbanding of the immutability. Yet beneath the façade lay imperial ideological conviction where to a great year. legendary Assassins football team, turbulence. From the late eighth century, they could. The flexibility of Byzantine Exeter has a record second-to-none of sporting no-hopers abound in the ever- Other Sports when Byzantium’s eastern frontier from social fabric allowed an emperor to making fine oarsmen of Novice athletes, popular 2nd cricket XI (aka the Busters). Tarsus to Trebizond stabilised, border request special religious status for his and a big highlight this year was our Despite never having ‘done a bat, done The women’s tennis team found the going warfare became an annual feature of dead troops, but did not grant him this victory in Christ Church Regatta. The a bowl or done a field’ before, first-year a little hard on the grass courts, but they Arab-Byzantine relations. The Byzantine wish, prompting the question, why victorious VIII included members of both Russell Gammon typified the Busters’ did have strawberries at practices to cheer side, outnumbered and underfunded, not? The society appeared saturated in the JCR and MCR, demonstrating the spirit, by being utterly useless yet themselves up. The netballers finished nonetheless adapted to counter swift religious rhetoric, much as the city of compellingly enthusiastic at the same sixth in their league, came second in their Arab cavalry raids, holding the border Constantinople was awash in churches, time, whilst always having a beer close Cuppers group and won every match they against further major losses. By the late relics and religious icons. How much Matthew Rigby, postgraduate at Exeter, takes at hand. The side finished mid-table in played in Hilary term. The men’s squash ninth century, the tide had turned in power could Orthodox Christian rhetoric part in the varsity football match at Craven the top division. To cap-off the season a team are yet to play a competitive fixture,
favour of the Byzantines, aided by internal wield in such an environment? Cottage. With thanks to Aaron Barkhouse returning Old Busters team came up for but apparently the practice sessions have istock strife within the Caliphate, so that by the My thesis is shaped by a number of and Matthew Rigby (2001, Physics). a 20:20:20:20 game, with the current gone very well! second half of the tenth century, Roman tenth-century primary sources, including students winning with seven balls to armies could successfully pursue a war of military manuals, imperial speeches, The MCR XI (bearing more than a little spare. expansion, regaining significant territory panegyric, historiography, ecclesiastical resemblance to the JCR side) ended the The tradition of Busters is of course a in the east. Throughout this period, letters, epic poetry, ceremonial books, season second in the top division, despite long one – turn to page 50 to read about Byzantine emperors used religious rhetoric legislation, military harangues, gold going unbeaten for the entire league the Busters of the 1950s and their to motivate their Christian armies as they coins, lead seals, and government campaign. The respective captains, Tour of the South West. faced a Muslim enemy. Simultaneously, manuals on foreign and economic policy. The Men’s First Torpid ready themselves to Darren Kidd and Eric Engler, should be they engaged in high-level diplomacy, I hope to show the influence of theology do battle. From left to right: Christopher applauded for their organisation and primarily prisoner exchanges, and and religion on the imperial world- Beaumont, Richard Harrap, Matthew enthusiasm over the course of the year. Yeowart, Andrew Williamson, Nic Bar Sports commercial negotiations that maintained view, particularly as it was manifested Niedermowwe, Esben Urbak, Octave Oppetit Special mentions go to Matthew Rigby uninterrupted trade relations between the in military decision-making vis-à-vis the and George Anstey. Photo by Cameron Noble (who played in the varsity match at Craven As readers may well be aware, two empires. Muslims to the east. (2005, Mathematics). Cottage) and Brandon Levy (involved in Exeter has a recent proud
14 EXON Autumn 2006 www.exetercollege.net university news News in brief Investing in Under New Governance? Oxford on Top Again the Past Oxford has once again been nominated The University is considering a number of proposals to change the way in which Oxford is top in the Guardian’s 2006 University By Alison Copeland governed. Here we set out an introduction to what has happened so far. rankings. The Guardian’s University (Alumni Officer) Guide is compiled in collaboration By Alison Copeland (Alumni Officer) the University, on the grounds that such White Paper’, titled ‘A Democratic with Campus Pi (an applied research The Ashmolean Museum and the Pitt Rivers and Frances Cairncross (Rector) an arrangement would provide more Approach to Oxford’s Future’. They department at Brunel University) and Museum are each undergoing extensive effective oversight of the University’s reject the bicameral approach to reform, assesses teaching quality, staff-student renovations to bring them up to the standard Over a year has now passed since activities. This Council would delegate splitting Council into an academic and an ratios and graduate job prospects. of Britain’s greatest public museums. the publication of the first University matters pertaining to academic affairs institutional component, each overseen Oxford was placed first before The Pitt Rivers Museum is building Green Paper on the reform of Oxford’s to a 36-strong Academic Board – an by separate bodies. They reject the idea Cambridge and a number of London an extension to house new facilities for The Ashmolean Museum. governance structure. These proposed amendment that received greater support that the best way to bring outside voices institutions; the top 20 was dominated teaching and research as well as a reforms have sparked controversy both than the previous recommendation for a into the governance of the University is by the Russell Group Universities (an new exhibition area and within the University and externally, as 150 member Academic Council. through this bicameral approach, which association of 19 research-intensive improved disabled the merits of making significant changes The current White Paper, due to be would allow outsiders to be involved universities of the United Kingdom). access. The project is to the structures and procedures of the discussed by Congregation this autumn, with issues of governance but not with being funded by HEFCE University are debated at a variety of levels continues to recommend a Council of academic matters. They argue that reform Protest v Pro-test at a cost of £7 million. from College JCRs to the national press. 15 with a mix of internal and external could be accomplished by adjusting The University secured a new The extension was topped The first Green Paper (in February 2005) members and the splitting of institutional existing structures rather than by creating injunction from the High Court on out at a ceremony presided was issued by a Working Party chaired by from academic governance to create an new institutions of governance. They 26 May to protect staff, current and over by the Vice-Chancellor on 9 Dr John Hood, the Vice-Chancellor. It Academic Board. Council would have argue that external oversight can be former students, and all contractors February 2006. suggested a number of reforms, the most provided by creating an external advisory working for the collegiate University The Ashmolean has received contentious being to split the role of the The reforms sparked board. The Vice-Chancellor’s critics from intimidation, harassment, and £15 million from the Heritage Lottery University’s Council, its main governing argue, ‘If it ain’t broke, why fix it?’ potential violence from animal rights Fund towards planned redevelopment, board. The Working Party proposed In the next five to ten years, Oxford activists. Protesters have also been which will include teaching rooms, setting up a Board of Trustees to oversee controversy will face increasing competition for further limited in where they can discovery areas, conservation studios non-academic matters (and, in particular, four major committees to oversee Audit funding (for teaching and research) and protest and how long, and denied and integration of the Greek and Roman financial management), and creating a and Scrutiny, Finance, Investment, and for attracting the best quality of students the use of klaxons, whistles, loud- collections. separate Academic Council, composed Remuneration (of senior officers). The and staff. Oxford needs a system of hailers, etc. As well as pressure from of 150 members, to ‘bring together overarching powers of Congregation governance that can draw together the the law, animal-rights protesters have Right: inside the Natural History Museum. individuals from all parts of the collegiate would be unaffected by these changes. Colleges and the central University and also faced opposition from the Pro- University to take responsibility for In an article for the Guardian (2 June that clearly delineates responsibility test lobby, an Oxford-based group academic business’. 2006), John Hood wrote: and accountability. This will require an campaigning in favour of continued A New Vision for the Congregation, the University’s ‘Governance is about setting the right atmosphere of trust – and that is something animal testing and in support of ‘parliament’, was highly critical of framework for [the University’s] dynamism the University sorely lacks just now. scientific research. Further details on Radcliffe Infirmary this paper, prompting a number of and diversity. The recommendations the University’s bio-medical facility The 10.5 acre Radcliffe Infirmary site, revisions. These were published in the newly published in our university’s white and animal rights issues are available located between Woodstock Road and Governance Discussion Paper, put before paper seek to do that. They are designed to Timeline from www.admin.ox.ac.uk/biomed. Walton Street, is set to be redeveloped Congregation on 1 November 2005. allow Oxford to take greater advantage of to provide much needed central Oxford The Working Party announced that its outside expertise without compromising 5 October 2004 – John Hood admitted More Sporting Firsts teaching and research facilities for the principal aim in making these suggested academic self-government, to encourage as Vice-Chancellor The Iffley Road sports ground has University. Following the appointment reforms of University governance was effective planning and action without 12 October 2004 – Working Party on seen a number of firsts, including of Rafael Viñoly Architects PC to the to protect academic freedom. The sacrificing democratic control, and to Governance established our very own Roger Bannister (1946, project in April 2005, considerable Discussion Paper presented revised meet contemporary challenges and October 2004 – Congregation approved Physiological Sciences) running the work has been done to develop a new plans for Council, which was once again expectations without diluting Oxford’s the terms of reference of the Governance Working Party four minute mile. The University has framework for the site (which includes divided in two. Institutional governance scholarly values and priorities.’ recently unveiled plans to redevelop several Grade II listed buildings) to rested with a Council that would have However, these proposals too are likely 24 Feburary 2005 – Green Paper on Governance issued for consultation this historic site to create state-of-the- accommodate a number of academic an equal number of internal and external to prove controversial. The columns of the art facilities including a new sports departments, as well as teaching, library members and be chaired for the first five Oxford Magazine, the house magazine 29 September 2005 – New Governance Discussion Paper published in the Gazette hall, an expanded fitness gym and and research facilities. Suggestions for years by the Chancellor, Lord Patten. for dissenting academics, are full of indoor tennis courts. Plans also include use of the land include the creation of However, it was suggested that after this furious debate on the White Paper. Five 1 November 2005 – Congregation discussed the Governance Discussion Paper extra facilities for the 80 University a Humanities Centre, a new building five-year transition period, Council would academics (none from Exeter College) sports clubs, as well as a spectator for the Mathematics Institute and the have a majority of members external to published in May this year an ‘alternative 1 June 2006 – Governance White Paper published and conference area. The running relocation of the University’s central track is currently being resurfaced to administration, currently based at 8 June 2006 – 1st Question Time on the ‘Ultimately they are just kids and their primary proposed Governance White Paper meet International Amateur Athletics Wellington Square. The University has Federation regulations. Read more at consulted widely on the plans and the objective is to have as much fun as possible’. 15 June 2006 – 2nd Question Time on the proposed Governance White Paper www.ox.ac.uk. aim is for these to be endorsed by Oxford Work is due to start on redeveloping the Autumn 2006 – Congregation will City Council by the end of 2006. Radcliffe Infirmary in 2007. The amazing success of ExVac on page 23. discuss the Governance White Paper All photos by Gayle Lazda (2004, English) Gayle All photos by
16 EXON Autumn 2006 www.exetercollege.net EXON Autumn 2006 www.exetercollege.net 17 university news
this group in accordance with the with this additional strain. The models Take Me On rankings and all successful candidates proposed by the Lankester Working The Great Subfusc Debate would be offered a college place. Party were also based on single honours rather than joint/multiple honours Getting into Oxford has Model B schools; in the latter, admissions are always been difficult. The • Candidates could, if they wished, state already an extremely complex business a college preference at the time of of coordination between a number of ‘College Lottery’ system application. departments and the colleges. means a more able student • Shortlisting and final offer would be The consultation following the report might be rejected from a done by subject tutors collectively, showed the difficulty in finding one who would also rank successful admissions model which would be popular College while a less candidates. appropriate for all the departments and able student is accepted • Shortlisted candidates would be faculties. The Medicine model was not elsewhere. interviewed by college tutors in two one that could be transplanted onto colleges, who would be guided, but everyone else. The latest proposals focus By Alison Copeland (Alumni Officer), not bound by, the department/faculty on developing principles which can be Jonathan Herring (Law Fellow) and rankings. agreed upon across the broad: that in all Frances Cairncross (Rector) subjects admissions procedures should Both models emphasise that subject be fair and ensure the best candidates Colleges, departments and faculties want tutors in colleges and departments should are successful; that agreed procedures to take only those candidates with the work together collectively to select and criteria for each subject are applied highest potential in order to maintain the best candidates. Applicant college consistently; and that candidates’ chances Oxford’s world-class standards. choice (if stated) would still be taken into of success should not be reduced due to Since 2000, two University Working account but would not affect the chances their college choice (if any). Parties have looked into reforming the of an application being successful. It is to be hoped that Congregation, when admissions process. The first Working At the time of publishing the report, it debates this issue in the autumn can find Party, headed by the former Principal Sir Tim emphasised that at that stage the a way to implement an admissions system of St Anne’s, Dame Ruth Deech, proposals were ‘only ideas’ and went on to that is fair, efficient and transparent. In all of published its report in 2002. Many reassure readers that Oxford is ‘committed the debate over the Lankester report there of its recommendations concerning to upholding the colleges’ traditional appears to have at least been unanimity Exeter students in traditional academic dress in Oxford. assessment methods and procedures commitment to excellence in the teaching over the three principles which underpin
Photo by Samantha Crago (2005, Modern Samantha Crago Photo by Languages and Linguistics) have been implemented over the past of undergraduates, and the proposals do Oxford’s admissions: five years. The second Party was led by not affect the autonomous status of colleges Earlier this year, the University began to consider getting rid of, or at least making voluntary, Sir Tim Lankester, President of Corpus or the way teaching is organised’. • To attract applications from the the wearing of subfusc – the traditional uniform of students at formal University occasions. Christi College, and its report (published A number of departments already most academically able individuals, in November 2005) advocated further operate a similar ‘centralised’ admissions irrespective of socio-economic, ethnic By Corissa Tung the University: in an on-line poll a Wearing a suit is hardly ever practical for improvements to ensure that the colleges process – Medicine, for example, tests its or national origin; (2003, Literae Humaniores) resounding 81% voted in favour of the men during summer finals, even in chilly and the University work together better to candidates and ranks them centrally before • To ensure applicants are selected for traditional Oxford dress code. The news British summers. select the very best. This report received shortlisting those invited for interview. admission on the basis that they are well The decision, earlier this year, to consider even made the Times Online in March. On the other hand, in what other way a lot of national press coverage, where it Shortlisted candidates are interviewed by qualified and have the most potential to making voluntary or removing the So what is all the fuss about? can we show our pride at being part of was even heralded as the beginning of the their first-choice college and one other, excel in their chosen course of study;
obligation to wear subfusc, was apparently Subfusc, as you will remember, consists the University and revel in being literally end for the autonomy and individuality of and tutors do not know whether the • To ensure that the prospects of admission Lazda (2004, English) Gayle Photo by prompted by the hope that students would of a dark suit and white bow-tie for men, termed ‘commoners’? It’s fun to dress for the Oxford colleges. students they interview have chosen their are not affected by the college an be less willing to be trashed if they were and a white shirt with black skirt or the occasion and a formal uniform like What the paper actually outlined was a college or not. The models proposed by applicant has chosen dressed in their own clothes rather than trousers and a black ribbon for women. subfusc allows us to do this for University proposal for a single model for handling the recent Working Party recognise that or been assigned subfusc. The University and City Council In addition to this everyone carries a events such as matriculation. Preparing undergraduate applications covering tutors have a joint relationship with their to through an open have been working together to try to mortar-board (not to be worn, on pain of for exams may never be fun, but when all subjects across the University and college and their department. Such a application. put an end to the thousands of pounds’ rustication) and a commoner’s gown, or I donned subfusc before my Mods I felt drawing on good practice as it currently system would help to ensure that selection Colleges, departments and worth of bills that the Council must pay (if one is extra special) a scholar’s gown. almost as if I was dressing myself in battle exists in several subjects. The working is the responsibility of those best-placed faculties want to maintain every year to clean the confetti from the Gowns usually remain un-ironed for armour. In order to come to Oxford a party suggested two models: to recognise potential, the academics. Oxford’s world-class cobbles of Merton Street. I did pass by the duration of one’s degree, so that the certain amount of tolerance of tradition On the downside, the process will be standards. this year on my bike a few times and it formal ensemble is rarely smart and tidy. is required. Most students revel in every Model A resource-intensive and smaller appears that police officers have been Wearing subfusc also means that students tradition they can discover or invent, • Applicants would be shortlisted by departments in posted at the back of the Exam Schools can be terrified on the way into exams including the wearing of subfusc. It may all tutors (or a sub-set) in a particular particular may not in the hope of discouraging would-be by the Proctors criticising the female be expensive, impractical and tiresome at subject, acting collectively. be able to cope trash-artists. Seeing the street littered with students for not wearing black stockings times, but most of us would not be without • Shortlisted candidates would have at confetti and one dazed, post-finals girl in the height of summer, and the male it. And if it weren’t for subfusc, it would least two interviews and would be splattered with a mixture of sardines, cat students for daring to wear coloured not have been possible for two of my ranked. food and treacle, it seems that the effort rather than black socks. I thought I had left friends, clad in subfusc and on their way • Successful candidates could, if they has not been too successful! school uniform behind me when I came to re-take their prelims, to be pointed out so wished, indicate a first and second The subfusc issue ignited the to University; never mind that subfusc is as ‘scholars’ by a sadly mistaken Oxford choice college preference. indignation of students throughout usually expensive and hardly ever worn. tour-guide. • Colleges would then select from amongst
18 EXON Autumn 2006 www.exetercollege.net fundraising Sacre Coeur
Designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott and built between 1856 and 1859 in the style of the Sainte Chapelle in Paris, the Chapel is spiritually and Lasting Impressions physically the ‘sacred heart’ of the College, with its imposing façade By John Smith (1962, English) dominating the front and back quads. It is a place of worship, of music
and a place for the community of the College and of Oxford to gather. arrived at Exeter, an extremely callow and These stories give different insights into the role it plays. Iinnocent youth, as a Choral Scholar, firmly convinced, after surveying the rather grandiose surroundings, that I was there under totally false of man. The gift of gold is clutched by the youngest pretences! The Chapel physically dominated the Seeking Christ monarch, who brings all the treasures of his youth front quadrangle and thus it dominated my first in offering to the King of kings. Incense is brought impression of the College as a whole. By Mark Birch (former Chaplain) by the central, chivalrous figure, representing the My duties as a Choral Scholar involved singing age of mature political and religious duty – his in the Chapel three times a week for Evensong. he Morris tapestry of the Adoration of the Magi armour denotes the protection of his people, while The then Organ Scholar, Christopher Herrick, Tis one of the College’s greatest treasures. It has the incense indicates devotion to God. At the has gone on to make a distinguished career as a hung in the Chapel since 1890, after the College head of this regal procession is the eldery king, solo Organist, but in all truth, the College Chapel comissioned one of its alumni (one Edmund Burne- bearded and stooping, who has cast his crown Choir in those days was not all that good. It was, Jones) to design something to cover the last patch to the ground and, in acknowledgement of the of course in the days before ladies were admitted of bare wall in their new Chapel. Over a century mortality he shares with this child, offers the casket to the College and when we relied instead on the later, no doubt preserved by the dim lighting, this of embalming spice. For a College whose young reserve boys from Christ Church Cathedral School. haunting scene continues to glow and entrance. members might expect to assume significant roles There were two official Choral Scholars, Sandrey The setting is fantastical and full of mystic in Church, State, and Commerce, these kings re- Date (1962, Music) and me; the rest of the Choir meaning. The traditional stable is ditched in favour mind the Members of their highest duty at every was made up of ‘volunteers’. of a simple, thatched bower. The willow hurdle, stage of life. I did not have much experience, apart from from different generations, seem to agree. The Photo montage of the making up the back of the structure, reflects the Most sublimely, its wings clipped by the tapestry singing in my school chapel choir, which was Chapel for me, and I am sure for countless others, Exeter College Chapel by Pre-Raphaelites’ appreciation for the practical frame, an angel carries the star that has guided of course very different. Exeter College Chapel, was a huge influence. It was always beautiful, Jenny Okun. beauty of traditional rustic crafts, and Joseph, a these three to the still greater Light. The perfect I remember, had initially a quite extraordinary always open, always available, and always there. www.jennyokun.com. simple artisan himself, has clearly been out hacking child curls dynamically in his mother’s hands, effect on me: it was rich, grandiose, spacious and Its effects on me have been immeasurable – it is down brushwood for a fire. You wonder whether in contrast to Mary and Joseph who appear dignified and I was very conscious of the privilege a wholly positive and great part of my memories frozen in contemplation. The Christ-child seems and responsibilities of its being ‘mine’ for a time. of College life which I have been grateful for ever whether the students recognise in this apprehensive under the gaze of these exotic I came to love its ornateness – the colours, the since I left! visitors, and no doubt we are meant to sense the decoration and the aura of dignity – even while work a call to Christian devotion and tension and fear associated with the portentous gift it was being used so fully. These first impressions Turn to page 3 to read about the current choir and of myrrh. Such a weight of hope and expectation, wore off with predictable speed! their activities. duty is debatable told in the inclined bodies and fixed attention of It is only on looking back with fond nostalgia that the three visitors, seems too great a burden for I begin to realise what a huge effect the College as a Exeter College Chapel Campaign this unlikely nursery might have been Joseph’s own such a tiny life, yet we know he will accept it, and whole, and the Chapel in particular, has had on my 2009 marks the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the consecration of construction; a physical pledge of his commitment will bear its consquences. whole life. My first Gaudy brought this home to me: the Chapel. A survey of the Chapel was undertaken in 2005 and revealed as guardian to the child. Whether the students of today recognise in we were invited to attend Evensong and the Chapel an alarming state of deterioration of both the stonework and the stained The luxuriant foliage of the foreground contrasts this work a call to Christian devotion and duty is was packed with youngish Exonians, all drawn glass, requiring extensive conservation and renovation, meaning that with the starkness of the surrounding woodland; debatable. It is almost too much ‘of a piece’ with the to what must be the most dominant and friendly we urgently need to embark on a programme of repairs. This work will the tree trunks forming a complex maze of paths rest of the Chapel, and not easily visible from most communal centres of this most friendly of Colleges cost somewhere in the region of £1.8 million and we have, fortunately, and dead-ends, ready to entrap and bewilder the of the places where one is likely to sit. However, – even more so than the magnificent Hall. already received some generous donations to begin the work of cleaning hapless wanderer. The Christ-child is born amidst to move it would disturb the interior coherence of Again, looking back, in my day this had much and restoring the stained glass and interior of the Chapel. Although the the entangling darkness of a dangerous world and the Chapel and in such a lavish building it seems to do with the quiet, almost shy, and completely College hopes to secure a large proportion of this essential funding from yet the same world, quite literally, blossoms into appropriate that its greatest treasure has to be unassuming leadership of the then Chaplain, Eric interested Trusts and Foundations in the UK and abroad, we hope that life around him. Roses refer to Mary, the ‘rose of sought out. Time has to be taken for the eyes to Kemp. He was a quiet and eminent man who was many of our Old Members will want to have an opportunity to contribute such virtue... the rose that bear Jesu’. Lillies reflect adapt to the gloomy light, and for the tapestry to also my Moral Tutor (I hope such offices still exist!) something to restoring this wonderful building. In 2007 the College will the purity of Christ, reflected in his Saints, amongst be discovered, glowing darkly behind the pews. and a great help – he even lent me money at one launch a campaign to raise these funds to restore the Chapel. It will whom these three visitors are surely to be numbered. Perhaps the message of this piece has less to do stage! require a huge effort to ensure that this beautiful Grade II* listed building, In the middle foreground tiny anenomes prompt us with the Magi and their gifts per se, and more to I realise, on looking back over this brief note, which has had such a profound effect on generations of Exonians, is able to hold this child in perpetual remembrance. do with Christ’s injunction to ‘seek... and ye shall that I have talked more about the human interface to retain its place as the heart of the College. If you would like further The three visitors are plainly kings, reflecting, find.’ It took the kings a great deal of time and with the Chapel than the building itself – but again, details or if you would like to be involved in helping to raise funds, please traditionally, all the nations of the world to whom searching to find this treasure and, in our impatient I do not think that a lesser building would have contact the Development Office on [email protected] or call Christ is manifested – or, at the very least Africa, world, such diligent seeking is a rare but necessary encouraged that interface. Others I have met, and I +44 (0) 1865 279620. Europe and Asia. They also represent the three ages virtue. have been fortunate to meet a number of Exonians
20 EXON Autumn 2006 www.exetercollege.net EXON Autumn 2006 www.exetercollege.net 21 fundraising
Frances Cairncross (Rector) Calling all Exonians Our students are Exeter College’s Another ExVac Success greatest strength. Nothing makes that plainer than the Telethon Campaign, Funded and run by Exeter students past and present, ExVac when a select group of volunteers is a great way to give something back to the community. Below: trips to Legoland were each year rings Old Members, Parents interspersed with hours of games. and Friends to talk about what is new By Matthew Carter at Exeter and ask for their support. (2005, English) This year, the calls were made from a room in the Lodgings. This meant OK, I’ll admit it. The first time I heard not only that students had a constant about ExVac, I was sceptical to say the supply of tea, coffee and chocolate least. The idea is a simple one: 16 Exeter biscuits but that I could occasionally College students take 32 children, chosen eavesdrop on callers. Their enthusiasm by the Social Services, for a week of trips, and charm on the telephone was activities and games. The kids, all from heart-lifting. Oxford and its suburbs, can be selected Thanks to their calls, the College for any number of reasons. Some have raised more than £110,000 to put into been neglected. Many have been abused. student hardship grants, arts and sports Others have been forced into a life of activities, refurbishing the library and heavy responsibility, caring for disabled Over Easter, 12 Exeter students called 554 Old Members to our new History Fellowship. More parents and siblings, never having the update them on College news and ask for their support. than half of those called agreed to time to play or the opportunity to just be make a gift, including many parents, kids. Whatever their background, they all By Anna Doyle and many gave for the first time. This have one thing in common – they deserve (2005, Women’s Studies) was told by one gentleman who admitted is important: our largest donors always a holiday! responsibility for capturing six pigeons like to know that they are not alone in And, yes, as a first-year Exonian and Exeter’s fifth Telephone Campaign has from the front Quad, feeding them up supporting the College and that others newcomer to the charity, I was sceptical. once again shown the tremendous with birdseed and laxative in the College also give regularly, on whatever scale The question that immediately sprang rapport between the students of today and Chapel over the course of a week, before they can afford. to mind was, how much good can yesterday, and the commitment of support eventually liberating them into the Jesus Quite apart from eliciting such we do? Are we really going to make a from those who have gone before. College Boat Club dinner. He cheerfully impressive generosity, the student difference? The callers spent a weekend learning reported that the pigeons ‘performed callers were able to talk about our plans Training for the ExVac week was about the history of Exeter and pooling quite well’! Famous names also featured for the College. And they too learned terrifying as well. Though we wouldn’t their knowledge of current College amongst the anecdotes we heard, evoking from the experience. Above all, they all be privy to each particular child’s news in preparation for the first calls. a glamorous side to Exeter’s history. One learned that the College is an extended history, we were taught to spot signs of Even though the group members ranged highlight was the tale of a College play family, sustained by the support of physical, emotional and sexual abuse, from first-year undergraduates to DPhil rehearsal taking place in the Fellow’s those who have benefited in the past and learned the legal procedures for students, the chance to forget about exam Garden which was interrupted when, to for those who are there today. following up anything important that the revision or vacation reading for two weeks the director’s astonishment, he became kids themselves might tell us. We were seemed equally welcome and there was aware that they were being observed not told to be prepared for bad behaviour an immediate sense of enthusiasm. only by Old Exonian Richard Burton, but Total calls made 554 and hyperactivity. The second question, With 12 people all making phone calls in also by Elizabeth Taylor. Yes 299 then, was inevitable: would we be able a small room in the Rector’s Lodgings, there As a newcomer to the College these No 255 to cope? was always a constant buzz of conversation conversations represented a valuable Giving Rate 53.97% Within a few hours of our arrival at Eton with hours of games back at the hostel of their Lego tower, setting yet another and our high spirits were maintained by chance to learn more about Exeter and I Amount per call £231.60 Dorney, both questions had been firmly where we stayed. It seemed that no end record (until tomorrow of course). Simple regular doses of chocolate and sweets or was surprised by the sense of community Amount Pledged £128,309.00 answered. Whatever we may have come of football matches, Easter egg hunts or words of encouragement or praise from by the occasional glass of wine when the that exists between all members of Total Received £113,548.14 to expect was outweighed by one simple contests to see who could go higher on a leader, of the kind that every Oxford evening calls were going particularly well! College, past and present. It is this % Overall Fulfilment 88.5% fact – that ultimately, these are just kids, the swings could tire them out. student takes for granted, are greeted Although it was sometimes a challenge continuing involvement that made the and their prime objective is to have as In the midst of all this it was easy to forget as though they were bars of solid gold. to stop chatting to each other and telethon such a success and so rewarding. 45% of Parents called agreed to make a much fun as possible. From the moment the sad lives that these children have led, ExVac cannot be underestimated in start making phone calls, we were all Although I am at Exeter only for a year- gift and pledged £20,099.29 of the total. they stepped off the coach, each of them in a world far-removed from the dreaming its effectiveness at showing these kids impressed by the continued interest the long MSt course, I realised that the links threw themselves into the holiday with spires of the Oxford that we are all more that they matter, that they are good at Old Members showed in Exeter and this formed during my time here will last a Funds R eceived from Annual Telephone Campaigns full force and it was no surprise really that familiar with. This is precisely ExVac’s something – whether it be drawing, magic
made the conversations both enjoyable lifetime. 150000 by the end of the week it was the ExVac aim: to enable them to forget, if only for a tricks, swinging on monkey bars, or taking 125000
and rewarding. We were all kept amused 100000 leaders who were left exhausted, nursing week, and to just be kids. The difference on the responsibility of organising and and entertained by the hilarious and 75000 shoulders sore from all those piggy that ExVac makes to these young people’s explaining a new game. Like any charity, Above, from left to right: Jessica Lafferty, 50000 fascinating stories Old Members told, 25000 backs and throats reeling from leading lives is staggering and can be seen on the ExVac cannot solve the world’s problems.
Anna Doyle, Dominic Ellis-Gray (RBA), Amount Received (£) 0 and these also offered a real insight into 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 one too many sing-along songs! Trips to face of every boy or girl every time they But it can offer an escape, and it can offer Eachan Johnson, Siu Lee, Katrina Hancock Exeter’s history. A particular favourite of (DO), Carol Topley, Emily Watson, Rachel Year London Zoo, Legoland, bowling alleys, race to the next rollercoaster, or to the top hope. Exonians should be exceptionally mine, which captures the intensity and Knibbs, Rajiv Tanna, Corrissa Tung, David cinemas, hands-on science museums and of the next slide at the swimming pool, proud, as it does make a difference.
inventiveness of college rivalry in the past, Cooper, Nerisha Singh and Matthew Smith. adventure playgrounds were interspersed or when they put the last brick on top ©Logoland
22 EXON Autumn 2006 www.exetercollege.net EXON Autumn 2006 www.exetercollege.net 23 fundraising
vacations. Although this alleviates some difficulties, it means that they will not get A Real Example The Nuts and Bolts a chance to have a break from working, do any academic vacation work, travel or etween the December and September take an unpaid internship, let alone spend Bbefore I started at Exeter many things time with family and friends. happened. The good news – I got a place of Student Life Many people imagine that hardship to study at Exeter and couldn’t wait to go. is a result of beer, extravagance and Then the bad news, before I even finished too much socialising. I don’t think most my A-Levels: the Student Loans Company Have you ever noticed that ‘student hardship’ features people would begrudge students actually and the Local Education Authority had prominently on our donation forms? Alleviating financial enjoying themselves at University, but calculated my student entitlement, this is hardly the lifestyle these particular but in the months between when that difficulties is a big issue. This is why... students are living. I know of one student calculation was made and when I was who didn’t go to the College ball not due to start University, both my parents By Katrina Hancock only because he couldn’t afford to go, lost their jobs and had no other income. (Deputy Director of Development) So why are there these problems? The but because he could not afford evening As one of many siblings, I knew already istock government has decided that university dress, even from a Charity Shop. that my parents were not going to be able I ended up spending the little money I told the Sub-Rector about my situation. We all recognise that there has always students should fund themselves. With the It would seem an easy solution to to help me fund my time at University. I had. I resolved to keep working hard but I’ll never forget how understanding he been student hardship. However, in the abolition of the maintenance grant in the suggest that the College could charge didn’t know what I was going to do. to put to the very back of my mind all was – he made me realise that financial last ten years it has become not only a late 1990s, there has been an increasing less. But the reality is that the College is And so my time at Exeter started. worries about what I would do when I difficulties are something that no one greater issue, but a much more prevalent expectation, and one which will continue already charging students much less than I lacked the money to buy even the had absolutely zero money left. ever plans to find themselves in. He also one, which increasingly undermines both under the new structure, that parents will it costs to teach them, so that we make essentials of books and subfusc, so I Financial insecurity and uncertainty encouraged me to apply for a student the higher education system and those contribute to the support of their children a loss on every student. This short-fall is certainly didn’t have anything to spend was not what I expected University life hardship bursary. It was such a relief who go on to study at this level. at University. In many cases parents are covered by the conference trade (which on the arguably inessential too. During to be all about. The thing that depressed when I opened the letter that told me There remains much confusion is why the College is so keen to ‘en-suite’ Freshers’ week, while most people were I was to be given an Exonian Hardship regarding student hardship. Many Old as many rooms as possible) but it only worrying about what they would wear to Bursary of £1,000. Members ask whether the issue is a members ask helps us to break even – not to profit. the nightly Freshers’ parties, I was trying I lacked the money It meant that I could meet my immediate genuine one and what can be done about Exeter is committed to providing to decide if I could afford to go to any. financial demands like recommended it. Although the funding system is about to whether the issue is hardship bursaries and scholarships that This inauspicious start to the year to buy even the textbooks, pens, pencils, essential change again in time for the 2006 intake will assist the students who, without characterised much of my first term at clothing and so on. It also meant that (see below), let me give you a glimpse of a genuine one such help, would have to leave College. Exeter. I did not get involved in much essentials of books I would be able to pay my Battels next some of the real issues our students face. Many Old Members, Parents and Friends extra-curricular activity because I simply term and could start to enjoy College life On arrival at Exeter, a first-year often able to cover the gap between already share this commitment and make could not afford to. I stayed in my me the most was that I’d heard many a bit more as well. I started playing for undergraduate student from the UK will the real cost of University and funding a regular donation. We are now looking room, keeping myself (and my financial people say that the time they had spent at the football team; I was better able to immediately have to pay the year’s tuition available. But where this is simply not to create a group of scholarships and difficulties) to myself. I avoided the bar university were the best days of their life concentrate on my studies; I felt more fees of £1,175 (this is means-tested but possible, for whatever the reason, their bursaries that are of greater value and because I equated bar to drinks and drinks but I could not envisage ever saying that. able to socialise and I have made some only benefits those whose joint parental children must fund themselves. will make a bigger difference so Exeter to money and I avoided going out with My situation changed about mid- good friends as a result. income is less than about £37,000). But how? Obviously students can get a will always be able to attract, retain and friendship groups for the same reason. way through my first term. The financial I am so grateful to those who have In addition, the student has to pay for job and many do work part-time during support the brightest and best, regardless I didn’t join the football team as I knew difficulties that I found myself in became donated to support financial hardship accommodation in College for the term term (up to five hours a week as per Oxford of their finances or background. I would have to pay for kit. Of course, unbearable as my bank balance came – thank you. One day I hope to be able to (£752.85 per term, minimum), a catering University regulations) as well as the this was unsustainable and after a while closer to zero. In the end I went and give as generously as I have received. charge and then the cost of meals during the term totalling at least a further £700. If a student lives out in a private house the maximum allowed fee of £3,000 maintenance grants will be provided to set out in the table. government and/or Opportunity Bursary (as nearly all 2nd years and a large Student per annum for home students (though those from lower-income households. The system of government student loans support. Furthermore those already proportion of 3rd and 4th years have to even this amount falls well short of the The full Government maintenance grant for maintenance continues: the maximum on a course remain under the old fee do), these costs can be almost doubled. Funding for actual cost of providing the education). for 2006-07 will be £2,700, paid to those loan for 2006-07 will be £4,405 with a – and financial assistance – regime. The maximum student loan available to In addition, it is estimated that typical, whose household income is less than non-means-tested minimum of £3,300. In this uncertain transitional phase, a UK student in 2005 was just over £4,000 2006-07 minimal, living costs in Oxford for the £17,500. Partial maintenance grants are The increases in funding opportunities therefore, the College is lucky and – that is £1,333 per term. It is obvious coming year will be around £6,000 for likely to be available to those whose for students are obviously welcome, but grateful to have the resources to be able that this does not even cover the cost of the 27 weeks of the academic year – household income is between £17,500 it is difficult to predict the impact that to help those in need, so that Exeter can accommodation and food for the term. By Dr Ian Reid (Sub-Rector and Fellow rather more than this is needed in order and £37,425. the increased fees will have, especially continue its tradition of giving support Consequently, students who rely entirely in Engineering Science) to take advantage of all that Oxford has In a joint venture, the University and on those whose household means cause to everyone who needs it, regardless of on his or her student loan will start the year to offer. colleges are launching a scheme to them to fall just outside the cut-offs for background. overdrawn, with no funds to buy books for With new ‘top-up fee’ legislation coming Various schemes backed by the supplement government grants, known their course, join sports teams where kit into force this October, student financial government or by the University and as the Oxford Opportunity Bursaries Household income Oxford Opportunity Bursary has to be paid for, or buy the necessary hardship and debt potentially become colleges are being put in place to assist (replacing the Oxford Bursary scheme). academic dress (or other clothes) let alone ever more significant issues for those students financially, especially those Under this scheme, students starting £0-£17,500 £4,000 in year 1, £3,000 pa thereafter be able to afford to go out with friends or undertaking or contemplating a degree. from the lowest income backgrounds. in or after October this year, whose £17,501-£22,499 £3,000 in year 1, £2,600 pa thereafter numerous other ‘optional’ activities. They Like all the other major Universities in Government loans will be available household income is less than £37,425, £22,500-£37,425 Between £2,500 and £100 pa on a sliding will be under constant pressure to take a the country, Oxford will be charging to cover fees, and means-tested will automatically receive a bursary, as scale according to income part-time job as well as study.
24 EXON Autumn 2006 www.exetercollege.net EXON Autumn 2006 www.exetercollege.net 25 fundraising
In Memory of Sir Kenneth Clinton Wheare Benefactions Sir Kenneth Wheare (1907–79) had a long and distinguished career at Oxford Exeter has flourished thanks to the generosity of those who that encompassed the roles of Rector of Exeter College (1956–72) and Vice- went before us and the tradition of benefaction continues. Chancellor of the University (1964–66). By Katrina Hancock and Alison He went on to succeed Lord Salisbury Copeland (Development Office) as the Chancellor of the University of Liverpool (1972–79). He came up to We are tremendously grateful to all those Oxford to read PPE in 1929 as a Rhodes Old Members, Parents and Friends who Scholar from Melbourne University. As have supported us over the years and for an academic he distinguished himself the many who have pledged to continue as an influential writer on government to do so. Every gift we receive makes a and the constitution and he also served difference, no matter how modest. on a number of external committees and Gifts to the Old Members’ Fund are trusts, including serving as the President used to support key projects that the of the British Academy (1967–71). College has prioritised which would The Gallery refurbished. Sir Kenneth’s widow, Lady Joan Wheare, otherwise remain under-funded or simply and her family have made a substantial unviable. Major benefactions, and often The Gallery was formally opened on 19 donation to endow a bursary (the KC some legacies, are earmarked for larger May and has since been used as originally Wheare Memorial Bursary) for an Exeter capital or endowment projects that will intended by a number of musical groups. College student experiencing hardship. strengthen the College today and in the While Sir Kenneth was Rector of Exeter years to come. Boskey Donation College, Lady Wheare played an invaluable In the last year, Exeter has been very In 2005, Bennett Boskey, an alumnus of role in the lives of undergraduate and fortunate to be the recipient of several Williams College, USA, and Friend of graduate students. This bursary, in memory major benefactions. Exeter College, made a gift of $1 million of Sir Kenneth, will be a long-lasting to strengthen and enhance the Williams reminder to many generations of his Benefactors’ Gallery at Exeter Programme. This programme, tenure as Rector and the influence he and As a student, did you ever give much now approaching its 25th anniversary in his family had on College life. thought to the Minstrels’ Gallery at the west 2010, has gone from strength to strength, John Bolin, 2nd-year DPhil student in end of the Dining Hall? With limited access allowing around 25 Williams students Modern English Literature and the first (via a ladder from inside the hall) it is not each year to experience life at Oxford. recipient of the KC Wheare Memorial surprising that its use has been infrequent or In line with his own interests, Mr Bursary writes: that it had fallen into disrepair. Boskey’s generous gift will be used to ‘I have been working several jobs at However, thanks to the generosity of endow a Junior Research Fellowship night as well as teaching in order to support Mark Houghton-Berry (1976, Literae in Politics and a College Lecturership myself, but injuries to my back and hands Humaniores), the Gallery has been in Economics. These posts will enable (sustained using farm machinery), have completely restored. An essential Exeter to attract and recruit top young begun to worsen, forcing me to ultimately passageway has been constructed academics who will make a significant consider not finishing my degree because between the Gallery and Staircase 3 to contribution to both Exeter and Williams of lack of funds. Needless to say, I am improve access whilst at the same time students. very grateful for the help afforded by the creating a new portrait gallery which will Exeter is delighted to welcome Elisabetta Wheare Memorial Bursary. It is precisely boast contemporary portraits of all our Brighi to fill the Politics JRF. Dr Brighi the kind of help that many postgraduate major benefactors since 2000. (currently at the European University students need.’ This wonderful benefaction has allowed Institute, Florence) is very excited about this Benefactions such as these make such a the College to preserve a unique feature. opportunity to teach and study in Oxford. dramatic difference – thank you. Photo by Oxfordshire County Council Photo by Photos Thomas – Archives Photographic
The Gallery under refurbishment. Mr Bennett Boskey, The Rector and Morty Sir Kenneth Wheare and Kangaroo, a Shapiro (President of Williams College) in dripstop on the Bodleian Library. Washington DC.
26 EXON Autumn 2006 www.exetercollege.net feature The Origin of the Universe Why are we here and where did we come from? Professor Stephen Hawking gave the Dennis Sciama Memorial Lecture to a packed theatre in the Physics Department last March, which inspired author and Exeter alumni, Philip Pullman, to write this article.
By Philip Pullman (1965, English) were other fascinating characters, such as the general theory of relativity, and the microwave tephen Hawking’s account of the origin of the radiation from the very early universe that turns Suniverse told a story of great brilliance and up on your television screen, and the spontaneous clarity. The questions ‘Why are we here?’ and quantum creation of little bubbles that grow, or ‘Where did we come from?’ are very good ones, don’t grow, into universes. and we all find ourselves asking them on the day Another reason that the story we heard from we begin to grow up. When we’re children, other Professor Hawking was different from that of the questions occupy us; we want to know why we Boshongo people has to do with the relationship can’t have more ice cream, and why we have to we have with the story itself. It’s to do with the go to bed right now, and why nothing is fair; but way we – the audience at an academic lecture, on the day we begin to grow up, which is usually the congregation in a church, the jury in a crown in our early adolescence, we find Professor court, the listeners around the cooking fire in the Hawking’s questions becoming more and more darkness of the savanna – regard the stories we’re interesting. Of course, some people stop growing hearing. Different kinds of stories expect different up, and then they stop asking those questions. kinds of audience and certain kinds of attitude They ask other questions instead, such as ‘What’s from that audience. I don’t mean an attitude of on TV tonight?’ or ‘Where can I get the best return liking or respect, though every storyteller would for my investments?’ like those; what I mean is there’s something in the Professor Hawking’s lecture began with an circumstances of the telling that says ’This story is Visit Philip Pullman’s account of the great god Bumba and his digestive to be taken literally’, or ‘This is a metaphor. One website at www.philip- problems, which I hadn’t heard about before. thing stands for another’. pullman.com. According to the myths of the Boshongo people, Bumba had a belly-ache and vomited up the sun, the moon, the stars and various animals including the first human beings. This ingenious piece of gastro-theology provides a very good account of why we’re here and where we came from, with only the slight disadvantage of being untrue. Or at least unlikely. As I understand Richard Feynman’s sum over histories, the great god Bumba may be busily at work somewhere, but probably not in this suburb of the universe. As the lecture progressed, I was struck by how much more interesting Professor Hawking’s account was than that of the Boshongo people. I don’t only mean more likely, more persuasive, better argued, though it was all of those; I mean more interesting. It was better storytelling: I always wanted to hear what was going to happen next, and why. It was full of more interesting characters and settings. The Steady State, for example, which I couldn’t help picturing as a sort of 1950s advertisement, with a pipe-smoking father sitting comfortably in his living room, next to the radiogram, with a wife knitting submissively in the background and a small boy playing with Meccano on the carpet. The father would remove his pipe and twinkle knowledgeably as he said ‘Of course, I’m with Steady State Insurance,’ and a caption underneath would say ‘You Know Where
You Are With a STEADY STATE Policy’. Then there Marloh Wolf Photo by
EXON Autumn 2006 www.exetercollege.net 27 feature
Because in the normal course of life we depend of narrative; it’s only the worshippers of Yahweh And whether or not we know this, whether or on knowing which attitude it’s appropriate to take and Allah who are as silly as that. not we like it, that puts us in a moral relationship Dennis Sciama to the stories we hear. A witness in court might be The delight for me in the account Professor with the thing we came from, too, whether that’s telling a lie, and the jury might believe him; but Hawking gave us tonight, and has given us in his God or whether it’s nature. The God stories go on they don’t think that he’s talking in metaphor. If marvellous book, A Brief History of Time, is that we to make this quite explicit: do this, believe that. The Memorial Lecture the prosecuting counsel says ‘Tell the court what can both listen to it with wonder and take it literally. stories of science have moral consequences too, you saw the accused do,’ and the witness says ‘He It’s a tale of heroic endeavour, of intellectual daring but they convey them more subtly, by implication; Professor Stephen stuck a knife in the victim’s heart,’ the jury isn’t and imaginative brilliance without parallel, and we might say more democratically. They depend Hawking delivers expected to understand this as meaning ‘I saw him those people like me who are in the business of on our contribution, on our making the effort to the Dennis Sciama write a savage review of the victim’s latest book’. playing variations on the Bumba story, and trying understand and concur. Memorial Lecture on The jury is there to decide whether or not the to get as close to the Milton end of the spectrum The implication is that true stories are worth telling, the beginning of the statement is true, but not what kind of statement it as our talent will let us, can only take off our hats and worth getting right, and we have to behave universe. EMPIC is. It’s supposed to be a literal one. and salute the storytelling of those like Professor honestly towards them and to the process of doing Now we don’t know whether the first people Hawking – those who not only tell the story, but science in the first place. It’s only through honesty and ‘We are getting close to answering the age-old who listened to the Bumba story thought it was who themselves played a part in the events: who courage that science can work at all. The Ptolemaic questions: Why are we here? Where did we literally true. Maybe they did. But I think that uncovered a corner of the mystery, who shone a understanding of the solar system was undermined come from?’ said Professor Stephen Hawking, if people have evolved to the point where they light into the darkness and revealed something that and corrected by the constant pressure of more and delivering the Dennis Sciama Memorial Lecture can tell stories at all, they’ve already got a fairly no-one had ever seen before. more honest reporting: ‘Yes, we know the planets are last month. He gave his lecture to a packed sophisticated mental world in place, in which The sort of story that these great heroes (and I’m supposed to go round the earth in perfect circles, but Martin Wood Lecture Theatre, in Oxford’s they know the difference between what’s literal using the word carefully and accurately) – that really, if you look, you don’t see that. You see this Physics Department. Also, via a live audio-visual and what’s figurative. After all, every one of the these great heroes of modern science tell does have instead. Now why do you think that could be? What’s link, the lecture was broadcast to additional Boshongo people must at some point have eaten one thing in common, and I mean in a technical, actually going on up there?’ audiences in the neighbouring Lindemann a piece of dead wildebeest or something that structural sense, with stories of the Bumba sort. So we have the courage of such as Galileo and Lecture Theatre and at SISSA in Trieste, Italy. didn’t agree with them, and the consequences And that has to do with how they end. Most stories the other victims of persecution and fearful closed- Professor Hawking reviewed some historical of that would have looked nothing like the sun, that we read in novels or fairy tales, or see in films mindedness. I was very glad to hear that Professor ideas about the origin of the universe – the the moon, the stars and the animals and so on. So and plays, are shaped with a conclusion in mind. Hawking escaped the clutches of the Inquisition debate as to whether there was a beginning at they were capable of thinking that Bumba’s belly- The events are all arranged to lead up to ‘And they during his visit to the Vatican; four hundred years all or whether the universe had existed forever. lived happily ever after’. Or ‘Reader, I married ago, he would not have done, and in the context of He described how the general theory of him’. Or the last sentence of George Orwell’s the time scales we’ve been hearing about tonight, relativity and the discovery of the expansion fundamentalists insist that there is no Animal Farm: ‘The creatures outside looked from four hundred years is the merest flicker of an instant. of the universe provoked conceptual changes, pig to man, and from man to pig, and from pig to We sometimes forget how lucky we are to live in which meant that the idea of an ever existing, such thing as analogy or metaphor man again; but already it was impossible to say this little bubble of time which is still warmed, you everlasting universe was no longer tenable. which was which’. could say, by the background radiation from the Professor Hawking explained: ‘We can get ache and its results were like theirs in some ways Stories of that kind take us on a journey through Enlightenment. We’re privileged today to be able rid of the problem of time having a beginning but unlike them in others: they were capable of harmonies and tensions and releases and discords to hear the words of Professor Hawking without in a similar way in which we got rid of the edge thinking in analogy or metaphor. and finally we come to a resolution. The story’s having to meet in secret, without having to depend of the world. Suppose the beginning of the As long as that mental capacity persists, human done; all the ends are tied up; there’s no more to on passwords and disguises, without the danger universe was like the South Pole of the earth. beings are able to think about their world and be said. of betrayal and arrest and torture; and that is not As one moves north, the circles of constant describe it in more ways than one, and a very great But the stories that both religion and science tell only because of the intellectual brilliance of the latitude, representing the size of the universe, gift that is. At the high point of what we might call us about our origins don’t do that. There isn’t that great heroes of science, both past and present, but would expand. To ask what happened before the Bumba tendency, we find the sublime poetry sense of cadence and finality that we have at the because of their valour too. the beginning of the universe would become of Milton’s account of the creation in Paradise Lost. end of a play or novel, or the aesthetic and moral Professor Hawking ended his lecture with a a meaningless question just like asking what is Milton pictures the angel Raphael talking to Adam closure we feel at the end of one of the classic survey of the current state of cosmology, and the south of the South Pole.’ and Eve and telling them what happened before fairy tales. Stories about origins don’t have that sort prediction that we are getting close to answering According to his theory, the creation of the they themselves were created, and does it in words of determined ending. The religious kind of origin- the age-old questions ‘Why are we here? Where universe would be down to spontaneous quantum that celebrate the sensuous physical beauty of the story might tell us that we were brought forth by a did we come from?’ Some people are rather afraid creation and he likened the process to that of world so vividly that it’s impossible, for this atheist great father in the sky, or in the case of Bumba by a of thinking that there might be a final answer bubbles appearing and bursting, corresponding at least, to withhold a rush of imaginative empathy. great gurgitator, and they usually go on to put us in to those questions; they think it will take all the to mini universes that expand and collapse. Only I know it isn’t literally true, and yet I can enjoy it some kind of relationship with our creator. We are mystery and delight out of the universe. I think those which grew to a certain size would be safe to the full. Most of us are capable of that sort of his children. We owe him gratitude and worship they could hardly be more wrong. The more we from recollapse and would continue to expand mental double vision, and that capacity can’t only and obedience. The other kind of origin-story, the discover, the more wondrous the universe seems at an ever increasing rate. have evolved last week. I think it’s as ancient as scientific kind, tells us about the development to be, and if we are here to observe it and wonder The memorial lectures are an occasional language and as humanity itself. of matter from the first moments of the universe, at it, then we are very much part of what it is. And series in honour of Dennis Sciama (1926- The trouble comes when the fundamentalists the formation of atoms, the way atoms join with there is no shortage of important questions. Once 1999), the eminent astrophysicist who worked insist that there is no such thing as analogy or other atoms to form more complex structures we know where we come from, we might find that at Cambridge, Oxford and Trieste. Stephen metaphor, or else that they are wicked or Satanic, that eventually give rise to life, and how life itself our attention turns to questions like ‘Where are we Hawking, Lucasian Professor of Mathematics and that there must only be a literal understanding evolves by means of natural selection. We are the going? What shall we do?’ at Cambridge University, was one of his early of stories. The Bible is literally true. The world children of the sky-god, or we are made of the The story continues, and the rest is up to us. students at Cambridge. was created in six days. The Kansas Board of same material as the stars. I’m immensely grateful to science, and to Stephen Education says so. The worshippers of Bumba, as Either way, stories like this tell us how we Hawking in particular, for illuminating our path Article reproduced from Oxford Blueprint, far as we know, haven’t developed this modern got here: but then they say, in effect, ‘The story to the present day with such brilliant clarity, such Volume 6 Issue 8, 16 March 2006. perversion, this modern limitation on the meaning continues, and the rest is up to you’. intellectual daring, and such wit.
28 EXON Autumn 2006 www.exetercollege.net EXON Autumn 2006 www.exetercollege.net 29 viewpoint
whose populations and GDP per head rival those of some countries. The economic consequences of this The Invisible Hand Now should not be surprising: new players have emerged and old players have often found it hard to adjust. But the net economic result seems to have been positive: the combined market value of internet Has An Invisible Mouse companies today greatly exceeds their value at the height of the bubble a mere five years ago.
The Next Ten Years www.flickr.com flickr is a photo sharing So what next? I’m wary of making predictions: site. the changes are so fast and fundamental, and the internet makes it increasingly easy to dig up old people are taking photos to share with the world. predictions that were laughably wide of the mark. Last year Yahoo! acquired a photo site called flickr But there are many trends that have not yet (www.flickr.com) where millions of users are played out fully: the continued growth in online publishing photos for the world to see. These range advertising, the use of online as a distribution from the beautiful or sometimes quirky photos that platform for broadcasters and publishers, and you might see in a photography club competition, the ever increasing availability of archive content to photo journalism. Flickr was the one of the main (from out-of-circulation recordings made available sources for the media for photos of the London through Yahoo! Music, to the digitisation of the bombings, and there were many Flickr users in St contents of the Bodleian). We are also seeing rapid Peter’s Square during the Pope’s funeral uploading growth in the mobile internet, and in services that photos on the spot. As broadband kicks in, exactly enable personalised consumption and aggregation, the same thing is happening with video: anyone can and the impact of ‘free’ phone calls via the internet will be great for consumers and disruptive for the most interesting and unpredictable Jon Gisby has spent much of the last ten years working for leading istock suppliers. internet businesses in Europe, including the BBC, Freeserve and France But for me the most interesting and unpredictable trend is the rise of invisible friends Telecom. He’s now at Yahoo! where he runs online sites and services trend is the rise in importance of invisible friends: harnessing the power of the internet to connect for around 40 million users across Europe. He offers his views on what individuals around the world. now upload video to Yahoo! and ‘broadcast’ to the These days teenagers has happened in this arena over the last ten years, why teenagers world. Imagine how powerful this could become would rather give up User-Generated Content to help new entertainers to find an audience, or to their TV than their PC. would rather give up TV than their PC and what the virtual future holds. The internet has long been a forum for individuals report breaking news events http://en.wikipedia. org/wiki/Main_Page By Jon Gisby to publish and share their own content, be it (such as the tsunami) when (1990, History) that the majority of teenagers would give up their commentary, photos, diaries, or pages for clubs, camera crews have yet to TV before sacrificing their PC. organisations or small businesses. But three new arrive. ver the last ten years around a billion people With hundreds of millions of people spending trends indicate some surprising ways forward. The final trend is Ohave gained access to the internet, and billions of hours online, it’s no surprise that The first concerns weblogs, or blogs for short. collaborative knowledge Yahoo! reaches about 500 million of them. Having the economic and industrial consequences are I live in a small town in Hertfordshire, and we sharing. The most popular worked in the online industry for much of that time profound. The ways we shop, work, communicate, recently had the first power cut that any of us example to date is wikipedia, I’m as familiar as anyone with the cycles of hype find information and receive entertainment are could remember. Half the town was dark for the online encyclopaedia that have accompanied this growth, from the crazy being transformed. So too are the business models, several hours one winter evening. I was surprised which is now consulted days of the dotcom boom to the current fixation and often the names, of the companies that supply the next day to find that there were a dozen or so by more than 20 million with Web 2.0. But, even with the limited hindsight us. Whole new sectors have been created, ranging blogs written by people who had been affected. Europeans a month. we currently enjoy, there are many reasons why I from the ubiquity of search advertising (which was What’s more, some of them were earning money Technology is enabling a believe that much of the hype is justified. invented by a company that Yahoo! now owns), to from advertisers specific to our town. These typify project between people First, and most obviously, is the speed and scale the creation of new trading markets such as eBay, many of the 50 million blogs that have been set who aren’t paid and have of the growth in the number of people connected. and to the more niche business of online gaming up over the last few years by individuals who are never met to capture and Although growth in North America is starting to where large virtual communities have been created keen to publish their views, opinions or news to share their collective flatten, it continues strongly in Europe and Asia the 1 billion or so people who can access them. knowledge. It is roaring ahead. Efforts are also under way to Suddenly anyone can become an editor, publisher is already extend online access into developing economies, or campaign organiser. Not convinced? South available with the recent unveiling of a working $100 Korea is the most internet-enabled society on laptop (www.laptop.org) being perhaps the best earth, and more than half the adult population now example. has a blog, including more than ninety per cent People are also spending increasing amounts of people in their twenties. If my home town was of time online. In developed markets about 20 in South Korea it would have had 15,000 people percent of ‘media consumption’ time is being blogging about the power cut. spent online and the internet is diverting attention The second trend is focused on photos and video. Visit Jon Gisby’s blog at from TV and print. This trend is set to accelerate as While most photos on the internet are uploaded
www.gizblog.co.uk. today’s teenagers grow up: recent surveys suggest Madden. Toby Photo by to be shared between family and friends, some
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where, instead of searching for information, you can ask questions of the millions of people who use Yahoo!. In the last few weeks I have asked questions seeking advice on everything from tadpole food, to Branding and Marketing recommendations on digital cameras, to whether ITV would be bought, to how to entertain a young family in Dublin and, finally, what polar bears drink. It would take hours to search for all this stuff. A Nation’s Art Collection But within minutes useful answers from people I’ve never met have been emailed to my inbox. This approach has already proved very powerful in parts of Asia where it is becoming prevalent alongside traditional search engines.
The new revolution A recent article in the Guardian made the comparison between the rise of search engines and the coming of the railways. The parallels are The survey at www. in more than 100 languages, and it stands interesting. In the decades after the railways came, fluid-lives.com. comparison well in scope and accuracy with the contemporaries were aware of their importance Encyclopaedia Britannica. and potential but were not yet able to foresee that they would enable such things as suburbs Invisible Friends: the Power Of Connections and world wars. Nor, therefore, were they able to Communications such as email, chat, instant understand the full scope of their social, economic messages and now voice and video connect people and political consequences. Mass access to the in powerful new ways. One of the most moving internet is only ten years old and we have only emails I have had from a customer was from a begun to glimpse its significance.
daughter who had been using our online voice Another parallel, cited in a lecture I attended at Danielle Chidlow Photos supplied by from the National Gallery product to talk to her sick mother in rural China. For MIT’s Media Lab, is also instructive. In the early days The National Gallery, all of us, connecting with our loved ones produces of the computer industry, users relied on a single, How can the National Gallery expand its audience and stay relevant in Trafalgar Square, the most important ‘content’ in our lives. high-powered mainframe pumping out information a changing contemporary world? Danielle Chidlow spent seven years London. But the internet is also starting to realise its potential to a series of dumb terminals. An intelligent PC on to connect individuals who don’t know each other. every desktop, linked together through networks, has working in advertising at Saatchi & Saatchi and M&C Saatchi and is Yahoo! recently participated in a global survey proved to be a more flexible and powerful model. now Head of Communications at the National Gallery. (available at www.fluid-lives.com) which found that Within a few years the monolithic computers at the centre had become redundant. By Danielle Chidlow (neé McDonald) and it was no accident that this site was situated (1995, MSt Byzantine Studies) virtual communities whose populations Translate this example into the world of at the crossroads of London, where the collection information. For most of the last thousand years would be accessible to the rich people travelling and GDP rival those of some countries most knowledge has been created, controlled n 1824 a decision was made by the House of from West London in their carriages, and on foot and distributed by relatively few individuals and ICommons to purchase the picture collection to the poor of the East End. The notion of the institutions: the church, the state, the universities, of a banker named John Julius Angerstein. The Gallery being established for the benefit of the the majority of broadband users believe that they will the media. But the internet is empowering intention was to form a new national collection public is clearly stated in this extract from a letter make a good friend whom they will never meet. That’s individuals to find, use, share and expand and this gave rise to the National Gallery, housing to the National Gallery Site Commission in the an extraordinary thought, but entirely consistent with knowledge for themselves both as individuals and one of the world’s finest collections of Western late 1820’s: ‘The existence of the pictures is not what consumers are doing: connecting with like- in groups. Errors and scandals in public life can European paintings from the mid 13th century to the end of the collection, but a means only to give minded people from all over the world. be exposed within hours. Pressure groups and 1900. In terms of telling the story of Western Art the people an ennobling enjoyment…’ Connecting users together is also enabling powerful campaigns can mobilise millions. Experts, such the National Gallery’s collection is unparalleled The language sounds rather old fashioned, but new services to be built. Some products are now able as doctors, can be challenged by individuals who in its combination of breadth and quality. There the sentiment is not. Therefore, when the National to draw on the preferences and recommendations have access to the same sources of information. are many larger collections in the world, but few Gallery, along with the other national collections, of users to benefit others. Amazon was a pioneer I’m sure that our tastes, decisions and values will so choice in their makeup; the ‘stars’ include Van comes under increasing pressure from the current here, but in a world of almost infinite content, it has continue to be shaped by experts whom we trust, Gogh’s ‘Sunflowers’, Constable’s ‘The Hay Wain’, Department for Culture, Media and Sport to applications way beyond books. Yahoo! Music now but they will also be guided by the self-interested Turner’s ‘The Fighting Temeraire’ (recently voted increase and expand audiences, in return for has many billions of user recommendations which serendipity of millions of strangers we will never The Nation’s Greatest Painting in a BBC Radio 4 funding, to include social groups that are currently helps match your musical tastes to that of others, and meet. Rather like getting recommendations from a Today Programme Poll) and other works by the under-represented, this is an aim already firmly thus you discover new music. Imagine that applied to few million people, just like us, in the pub. likes of Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Canaletto, rooted in its history. It is its raison d’être. television schedules, or travel destinations, or dating, So Adam Smith’s invisible hand now operates an Monet, Renoir, Cézanne and many, many more. However the situation that we now face or choices of university course: democratising and invisible mouse, wielded by invisible friends, many So, unlike numerous European collections that at the National Gallery is that our paintings’ personalising a world of infinite choice. of whom now feel part of an increasingly connected were formed through State appropriation of a predominantly religious or mythological subject Finally, in a world where search will probably and interdependent global community. For anyone monarch’s private pictures, The National Gallery matters, and different aesthetic, are becoming reach technological limits in its ability to find relevant who believes in the benefits of harnessing our was very consciously established for the benefit unfamiliar in an increasingly secular society and content, we need something new: people. We have collective wisdom or the freedom to express and of the British public. The Trafalgar Square site was one where a ‘classical’ education is more and recently launched a service called Yahoo! Answers share ideas these are heady times. chosen for the construction of the gallery building, more unusual. It is therefore not surprising that
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the Gallery is viewed by some as overly traditional, unashamed marketing activity, which is a hotly the day they were painted. They are timeless tales. perceptions is a tough challenge, and one that isn’t conservative and, to an extent, irrelevant to their debated topic in the non-commercial and With this in mind, I feel that for the Gallery to seem usually achieved overnight. Directors and Trustees lives. This situation, coupled with the increasing academically-led world of galleries and museums. relevant and attractive to future generations we may yearn for instant results. But a commitment pressure on people’s time, the plethora of ‘easier’ Some galleries have indeed responded to this need simply need to help provide people with a ‘way on their part is essential if we are to be able to entertainment alternatives, and the view amongst with branding and marketing activity, for example in’ to the pictures, to understand their stories, to communicate a consistent message over time some that the National Gallery is intimidating and Tate Modern and the V&A now promote themselves empathise with them and thus develop the means to and thus achieve our goals. This is an ongoing ‘not for them’, has led to a lack of awareness of as destinations quite apart from their collections. enjoy them. And we need to be consistent in doing challenge. However our hope is that the founding the Gallery. I don’t mean to sound too ‘doom and Tate Modern’s restaurants and bars operate as this. So whether we are launching an advertising principle of the National Gallery, created for the gloom’ – last year nearly 5 million people came attractions in themselves, as do the V&A’s late campaign to promote the Gallery’s permanent ‘ennobling enjoyment’ of the people, is always through our doors, making us the second most night extravaganzas. We at the National Gallery collection, or marketing a particular exhibition or a evident in all that the Gallery does – in the hanging visited attraction in Britain (the first being Blackpool have discussed, at length, the merits of deliberate film season, organising a programme of lunchtime of the collection, in its exhibition programming, its Pleasure Beach!) – but what we need to ensure is branding (which some feel is too ‘commercial’ for lectures, or running story time sessions with young education programmes and in how it communicates that we are not just appealing to our existing, large, an institution such as ours) and whether certain children, our objective is always to make people with people about these things. Then we will know types of promotional activity constitute increasing aware of the richness of the experiences they might that we have risen to the challenge set out in 1824 access or ‘dumbing down’. However the truth of encounter in the Gallery. which, like the pictures themselves, is as important every institution, like it or not, has a the matter is that every institution, like it or not, Reaching new audiences and changing their and relevant now as it was then. has a ‘brand’ or image. The public makes up its ‘brand’ or an image mind about companies or products based on the knowledge it has. Sometimes that knowledge is and very loyal audience. I have already mentioned extremely limited, but it doesn’t stop people having
that museums and galleries are under increasing an opinion. It never has. So the question of whether Bronzino, An Allegory with Venus and Cupid (detail), about 1540–50 © The National Gallery, London. pressure from government policy, and thus compete or not to brand or market something, in this case with one another regarding the requirements for a national collection, is really one of whether or diversity, access and education. But we’re inevitably not an institution chooses to manage the public’s competing with one another on other levels also: for impression of them. It’s much easier to do this funding; media attention; sponsorship; and staff, as when you are starting from scratch and thus are well as for the attention of the public who have less unencumbered by history – the development of the time, more choice and who are increasingly ‘brand Tate Modern brand being an extremely successful aware’. So herein lies the necessity for the National example. It’s trickier when working with a 200 Gallery to act. We can’t simply open our doors year old institution – the Tate Modern branding and expect people to pour in. It’s essential that we being imposed on our beloved Tate Britain being a actively promote the institution and ‘manage’ the case in point. In such a situation, as at the National Danielle Chidlow, Head Gallery’s image so that more people in Britain feel Gallery, where an institution has a long and rich pride in ‘their’ collection. history, one has to be true to it. And aside from the FORBIDDEN of Communications at the National Gallery. But this notion clearly demands overt and history of a place, there is inevitably an incredibly loyal and vocal following, comprising groups such PLEASURES as visitors, staff and Trustees. One ‘fiddles’ with an institution such as this at one’s peril. It became clear to us that the key to success was to ensure that ARE REVEALED the new or updated image of the National Gallery sat comfortably with these audiences as well as attracting new ones. And the way to do this was EVERY DAY AT to ensure that at the heart of any articulation of the Gallery’s message, or projection of its image, was TRAFALGAR a core, irrefutable truth about the institution. This could then help guide how we should position the Gallery to the wider public, what we would offer SQUARE visitors and how we could differentiate the Gallery THE COLLECTION. ADMISSION FREE. from our competitors, while retaining curatorial integrity and intellectual rigour at the heart of everything we do. We chose to base the National Gallery’s communications around the fact that the Gallery is unique in the significant experiences it offers to its visitors. Not only does it inspire varied and profound responses and emotions from people, but these emotions are also portrayed in the pictures themselves. Our pictures tell stories of love, war, Marketing material for passion, death, betrayal, excess – these and many the National Gallery, more can be found on the walls of the National created for the ‘enobling Open Daily 10am – 6pm Charing Cross /Leicester Square Gallery. And of course these subjects, being the Wednesdays until 9pm www.nationalgallery.org.uk enjoyment’ of the very ‘stuff of humanity’, are as relevant now as people.
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function: they suck in young talent from around disproportionate. The high-technology industries the world. They are becoming the key recruitment of California have thrived to a great extent thanks agencies of global talent. to the supply of clever Chinese and Indians, many More and more young people want to have at least of whom first came to the state to study at one of part of their higher education abroad. The number its outstanding universities. of people studying abroad has doubled in the past The success of American universities in attracting two decades, to 2.1 million. Almost all of these go the brightest youngsters from around the world to universities in one of five wealthy countries: the will be the underpinning of American economic United States, followed by Britain, Germany, France success in the coming century. One other country and Australia. Given the importance of English has spotted the power of this approach and is in the transfer and application of knowledge, it trying to emulate it as a deliberate act of policy. is no wonder that three of the top five countries Singapore now aims to become an educational speak English; and indeed, Continental European hub in Asia. It hopes this approach will boost the universities increasingly offer courses in English, island’s skills base. In effect, a university degree partly to attract foreign students. The hunger for a can act as a four-year immigration interview. foreign education is greatest in Asia, from where Such a way of looking at universities is only just almost half of all overseas students come. By far beginning to creep into European minds. Tony the largest group is Chinese: one in eight overseas Blair’s speech to the European Parliament in students comes from China. Strasbourg in October 2005 hinted at it, when he For universities, the need to attract foreign students argued that ‘Our university sector is not competing frequently began as a way of raising revenues. in the way it needs to with America.’ For most That has been especially true in the United States, Continental Europeans, the idea that universities Britain and Australia, where universities have should see themselves as engaged in international comparative freedom to act competitively; and, in competition is a novel thought. the case of Britain and Australia, have set higher And indeed, as universities go down this road fees for foreign than for domestic students. In they will face an increasing policy dilemma. A
Photo by Micha Hesse (2005, Chemistry) Micha Photo by such countries, higher education has increasingly university education is a route to higher earnings, become a notable ‘export’ industry in its own and a degree from a top university is a route to right. In Australia and New Zealand, ‘exports’ of top earnings. So universities are tools not just The Rise of the Global Meritocracy – Why educational services ranked third in terms of total services exported in 2003. higher education has increasingly Universities are the Key to Economic Success Foreign students also sometimes bring academic benefits to universities. They may bring new ideas become a notable ‘export’ industry Above, the Fellows’ and approaches to research. But more significantly, Garden at Exeter In a world where universities are having to re-invent themselves they help to keep alive departments that would receives a smattering yet again, Frances Cairncross provides some insights into their otherwise lack students. At some British universities, of international competition, but also of social of snow. increasingly international focus and their place in the global economy. the undergraduates studying some science subjects engineering. Governments worry about ensuring come almost entirely from overseas. Without them, that a university education is accessible to all By Frances Cairncross the department would close. their citizens who can benefit from it. Given that (Rector) just power; it is also wealth and welfare, health But attracting foreign students has two long-term governments pay a substantial part of the costs and human happiness. Universities both discover economic advantages for the countries to which of university education everywhere, they have a ot many successful public companies have and sift knowledge, and develop in the young the they come. First, it is at university that young considerable say in how universities behave. Nbeen in existence for more than a century. power to use it effectively. people build the first network of contacts that will So governments and universities face a dilemma. But the world’s top universities have shown an All around the world, the impact of knowledge see them into their careers. In the course of doing Is their first duty to educate the brightest, wherever extraordinary ability to reinvent themselves and and ideas is becoming more important for the – say – a doctorate, students will meet people in they come from? Or is the first role of universities to survive. Among the global top ten, as measured economy. For the individual, in America, for their field of specialism, and will use equipment to provide a service for the young people of their by the league table compiled by Shanghai’s Jaio instance, the number of jobs requiring a higher and consult books produced in the country where own country? Those goals will clash, the more Tong University, only one – CalTech – is a child of degree has risen in the past decade at roughly they study. When they return to their own country, university places at the very best universities the 20th century. Even though 18th century Yale twice the pace of those needing only on-the-job these contacts and experiences will continue to go to foreign students. They will generate a new dropped to 11th place, the 2005 top ten included training. The real median earnings of male college influence them in many subtle ways. If they end up sort of protectionist pressure, as parents clamour two universities, Oxford and Cambridge, in graduates have risen by about 15% in the past controlling substantial budgets, it will direct their for their children to have protected access to top continuous existence since the early Middle Ages; quarter century, whereas the earnings of high- purchasing and investment decisions. universities, and not be squeezed out by brighter and three relics of the 17th and 18th centuries school graduates have declined 10%. Secondly, a significant proportion of foreign students from overseas. It will be important to fight – Harvard, Princeton and Columbia. The best universities perform two functions students remain for at least part of their career in the such protectionism, and to focus on the fact that Now the world’s most successful universities, crucial to the knowledge economy: they train country that has educated them. Sometimes, this talent is increasingly mobile. Educating the young Oxford included, are re-inventing themselves. In the undergraduates and graduates; and they undertake is deliberate: a student visa offers a much higher is one of the best ways to attract talent and, with process, they are becoming even more important research. Increasingly, universities also give birth chance for a youngster from a developing country luck, to keep it. than individual companies in the competitiveness to small businesses which commercialise and to gain permission to enter a wealthy country than of nations. To talk about universities as economic market the fruits of those two activities, as Isis do most immigration paths; and, once educated, a An earlier version of this article by Frances entities makes many people squirm. But top Innovation does in Oxford. All these roles are better chance to be allowed to stay on as a skilled Cairncross appeared in Global Agenda, the universities produce the key ingredient of economic widely discussed. But the best universities also migrant. But, deliberate or not, the impact on magazine of the World Economics Forum. competition: intellectual capital. Knowledge is not increasingly perform another highly important the receiving country’s competitiveness may be
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Editor as a management consultant, as an IT annual Wilkinson Lecture on Jocelyn as yet unpublished.’ writetoian@yahoo. News from Old Members manager in an international company Brooke, author of The Military Orchid co.uk including three happy years on the (1948), whose biography I am writing.’ By Christopher Kirwan Rhine, and as an independent contractor (ex-Fellow in Philosophy) 1941 had read widely, mostly under my tutor’s allowed me to retire at 57 with enough Peter Willett obtained his degree in 1989 Philip A. Rooksby (1949) reports that ‘my direction), extensive and prolonged for our needs. I never aspired to join the Chemistry from Exeter in 1975 and then Justin Brett was elected to the General We are now in the fifth year of this elder brother Dr RL Rooksby (1941–2 and revision (since then, I have never again great and good on committees, and my went to the Department of Information Synod in October 2005 – term runs feature, and I, Christopher Kirwan, 1946–8) is living in Freemantle, Western revised more than twenty-four hours subsequent career as a voluntary worker Studies, University of Sheffield, where he until 2010 – representing the Diocese of ex-Fellow in Philosophy, am still your Australia. He retired some years ago for an examination), and the fact that developed by chance. I started as a driver obtained an MSc in Information Studies. Oxford. [email protected] editor of it. I reckon that the feature from his post as Acting Professor at the the questions set included topics that with my local Volunteer Bureau, thinking ‘Following doctoral and post-doctoral is still struggling a bit; but I want it University of Western Australia.’ intrigued me and which I had thought it would occupy me until something research on computer techniques for to carry on and IMPROVE. Whether long and hard about! more substantial came along. Three years the processing of databases of chemical 1990 it should improve at the editorial end ‘But, in the long term, I suppose I should later I am still working for Maidstone’s reactions,’ he writes, ‘I joined the staff William Wadsworth has been appointed I cannot say—you readers must tell 1945 be glad to have fallen into the booby-trap voluntary transport scheme as driver, there as a Lecturer in Information Science Lecturer in Physics at the University me. But I know it can improve at the Warm congratulations to Emeritus the examiners had (inadvertently) set. co-ordinator, software developer, and in 1979. I was awarded a Personal Chair of Bath. His Royal Society University contributors’ end, if more of you send Professor Donald Anthony Low on his Had I got my First then, I would almost – reluctantly, as someone who stopped in 1991 and a DSc in 1997, and am Research Fellowship is extended to 2009. me news. The good men and women AO (Officer of the Order of Australia) certainly have stayed on and worked for being a technician about 30 years ago currently the Head of the Department. On 23 July 2005 he married Judith Fox who have contributed below, and which, as he says, is senior to Britain’s a DPhil (with Dr Coxon’s support, who – de facto computer network manager. I have received several awards for my (Christ Church, 1989) in Monmouth, S. their precursors since 2002, show you CB, CBE etc. It was awarded for services was trying to get me an MRS studentship) My wife, Pat, whom I met in 1968 and research into computer techniques for Wales. the sort of thing we like you to share to ‘scholarship and learning through and if successful, would probably have married in 1969, now works with me processing databases of textual, chemical on the printed page. Make a note the study of history focussed on Asia, continued in Physiology and so missed a as a driver. Our daughter Margaret read and biological information, most recently to do so next year! Better still, draft particularly South Asia, East Africa and fascinating and hugely enjoyable career History of Art at the Courtauld Institute the 2005 Award for Computers in 1993 a piece for next year now, and send broader Commonwealth history’. He as a consultant physician – and would and is Acting Curator of Dulwich Picture Chemical and Pharmaceutical Research Sietske Riemersma reports that she is it in as soon as you wish. Preferably writes that he continues to be grateful probably have failed to be elected FRS Gallery. Our tiny sailing boat, which we of the American Chemical Society for married to Henk Leerssen, and has two imitate the expansive entries. I do for his Exeter Honorary Fellowship, and anyway! In that sense, even failure to me bought when I retired, has to take second my contributions to the development of daughters, Maike (2002) and Sophie some editing of contributions, but not for ‘my original Open Scholarship and was perhaps rewarding; while the First place to the transport scheme, but we chemoinformatics. I am in Who’s Who, (2003). [email protected] much. Some of what we receive is for Amelia Jackson Senior Studentship’. now might serve as a sort of ultimate enjoy trips with her to the Broads as well and am on the editorial boards of three the Exeter College Register only, and justification for the judgement of Dr as outings from her Medway mooring. international journals. pwillett@sheffield. Merle Tönnies has been Professor of is not printed here: no matter, it is Barrow and the College who awarded me When I ask myself whether I should be ac.uk English Literature at the University of very welcome. 1954 the Scholarship? Floreat Exon!’ satisfied with this modest outcome, I cite Paderborn since October 2005. I am delighted to have Dr GS Spathis’s Luke 10:37 and re-read Kipling’s The Send your contribution not to me, but permission to print here a letter he wrote Sons of Martha.’ 1983 to Exon – News from Old Members, The to the Rector early in 2006. ‘I thought it 1956 Dominic Berry of the School of Classics, 1995 Development Office, Exeter College, might entertain you to know that I have at In this year too congratulations are very University of Leeds, has been appointed Danielle Chidlow (née McDonald) has Oxford OX1 3DP, UK development@ last achieved a First Class degree, which much in order. Pedro Pablo Kuczynski 1965 Senior Lecturer in Classics at the University ‘spent a number of years working in exeter.ox.ac.uk. Please note that if you the College had presumably hoped I writes that he became Prime Minister of Philip Slayton reports the publication of Edinburgh from September 2006. advertising in London’ and returned to use the insert enclosed, we publish would attain when it awarded me an Peru in August 2005, after having served of Lawyers Gone Bad: money, sex and her Art History roots by working at the only what you report on it as News Open Scholarship to read Medicine in for three years as Economy and Finance madness in Canada’s legal profession National Gallery, where she oversees all from Old Members, not (unless you 1954 (and which it probably continued Minister. [email protected] by Penguin in 2006. Philip, incidentally, 1984 marketing activity and has led a strategic request it) your information on the to expect me to get in 1957; and which, read PPE but was among the first to be Rosalind Henwood (née Kirby), with her review of the Gallery’s ‘brand’ (see page Old Members Contact Form. Entries frankly, I thought I had achieved – at least Andrew Tracey was awarded a PhD allowed by new University regulations husband Nick and daughters Lydia (12) 33). She was married in Southwark are listed by matriculation years. To during the time between the examination (Hons) at the University of KwaZulu/Natal, to avoid its premier subject Philosophy and Elizabeth (9), returned to Britain in cathedral, London, on 20 August 2004 to contact Old Members who have not and the publication of the results!). Durban, in 1996. [email protected] – and therefore me! (The press regularly summer 2004 after ten years in Nepal. David Chidlow, a screenwriter. danielle. listed an email address get in touch ‘Unfortunately, it can’t be included spells PPE out as ‘Politics, Philosophy and ‘We have now [October 2005] moved to [email protected] with the Development Office. in the Norrington Table since it is from Economics’: not the legal Oxford order.) Leicester to pursue medical and Christian the Open University. But it was still 1960 [email protected] work among the Asian community. We quite pleasing to be awarded it fifty Dr Gerald MD Howat tells us that he are exploring fresh expressions of church, years later, despite increasing senility has his autobiography Cricket All My Life see www.hopehamiltonchurch.org.uk ’. – curtailed short-term memory (the text- published by Methuen in 2006. 1968 [email protected] book I’m reading today is just as fresh I am very sincerely pleased (though and instructive as when I annotated it, should I, a philosopher, be proud?) that presumably yesterday), slower cognition, 1963 my old pupil James Mark Haeffner’s 1986 and a diminished intellectual reach – as Richard Reid, ‘encouraged (or shamed) by book Dictionary of Alchemy, published Carol Robertson (née Gay) was married well as a refusal to revise, a continuing the Editor’s comments’, i.e. my last year’s by Harper Collins in 1991, has advanced to Ian Robertson in Cambridge on 15 propensity to answer the questions the plea for more contributions, reports: to a 3rd edition in 2005. January 2005. Their son James Stephen � � � � � � examiners should have asked rather ‘Fifteen years or so after leaving Exeter Robertson was born on 15 March 2005. than the less interesting ones they did, in 1966 I fulfilled almost exactly Dermot and previous profound ignorance of Roaf’s prophecy. When I said after Schools 1971 the subject (Humanities and Classical that I wanted to work with computers, Jonathan Hunt reports: ‘I have recently 1987 Studies). he predicted that I would be computer taken early retirement from the Open Ian Threadgill has recently returned to ‘I suspect my failure in 1957 was partly manager at 35 and would wonder what to University, where I have worked for 25 Oxford. ‘Still practising meditation and chi yle Lazda (2004, English)
Ga due to a fascination with the subject (I do next. He was right. Subsequent periods years. In 2004 I gave Worcester College’s kung. Have written a book on relaxation,
38 EXON Autumn 2006 www.exetercollege.net EXON Autumn 2006 www.exetercollege.net 39 Alumni Chemistry Floreat Exon The 2006 Exeter College Rugby Football Club dinner made a particular Then effort to reassemble the 1963-64, 1964-65 and 1965-66 sides to mark the 40th anniversary of the latter becoming League Champions – a feat not since replicated by an Exeter team!
What was it like to study By Alison Copeland Left, the Reunion Dinner. Chemistry in the late 1950s? (Alumni Officer)
Michael Seakins shares some n invitation list had been drawn up by the memories of his time at Exeter A1965–66 team Captain, Mr Peter Walters, from The 2007 Rugby and his subsequent career in some old team photos (suitably age-darkened). Dinner is on Sadly, the list could not include Peter Sutch (1963, Friday 16 February Chemistry in the West Indies. Modern History) who passed away a few years ago 2007. We are following a highly successful career in Hong Kong. particularly keen By Michael Seakins But of the 32 invited, an amazing 26 attended from to get back teams (1956, Chemistry) Haematology on various aspects of the chemistry Australia, South Africa, Canada, USA, Spain, France, Many wonderful designer outfits were on display from the 1950s of blood, most importantly the oxygen affinity of Switzerland, Ireland as well as England, Scotland (and not just on the ladies’ team) and thankfully and 1970s. Contact After leaving Oxford, went up to Oxford in 1956, just a month after blood in sicklecell anaemia, culminating in a paper and, of course, Wales. there were no lachrymose speeches, but a strange the Development Michael Seakins had a I completing National Service in Hydrographic published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation The evening ‘kicked off’ with a drinks reception rite whereby winners had to drink a mixture Office. Many Old career in academia in Survey Ships of the Royal Navy. Nothing much out in 1973. By 1979, the level of politically- and where our diminutive Rector braved the displeasure (Ribena and lemonade perhaps?) from a plastic Members from the West Indies and was of the ordinary happened in the first three years and drug-inspired violence in Jamaica had become of 45 large men by informing them of the success helmet or old boot. the 1960s rugby active in the Royal Naval Reserve. I spent a lot of time playing rugby football for the frightening, and we returned to England until 1981, of the current women’s team. As the champagne ran After Hall there was a scrum down on the front teams continue College, spent a year in the room once occupied by when the Professor of Chemistry at UWI Cave Hill out, despite the generous contribution from an absent quad, just for old times sake – no reported injuries to meet up at Richard Burton and discovered the fair sex in the in Barbados asked me to return to the University of John Weale (1962, Literae Humaniores), it was off to – and the revelries continued with all those who Twickenham every form of my future wife, then an LMH biochemist. the West Indies, and I spent the next 14 years on the bar for yet more pre-dinner drinks (well, it was felt equal to the delights of an Oxford club braving year for the Varsity In the last practical of my third year, the invigilator the Cave Hill campus. I was retired in 1995 but, a Rugby reunion). The young side valiantly stayed the sticky floors and underage drinkers. There was Match at the Fox brought his last two pink slips (given to those in the from 1998 until 2005 was the first-ever archivist of warm in the freezing cold for an official photo, with a a rumour that a certain Old Member demanded an in Church Street, the Barbados Defence Force. I had been actively loud rendition of ‘Floreat Exon’, much to the distress OAP discount from a bouncer and met with short Twickenham, from involved in the Royal Naval Reserve, 1956–63 and of those attending a concert in the Chapel! shrift… All the dreadful evidence can be viewed at noon and again I spent a year in the room once 1979–1981, the Jamaica Coast Guard Reserve, The younger generation provided an impressive www.exetercollege.net . Put next year’s reunion in after the match. 1964–79, and the Barbados Coast Guard Reserve, Oscars ceremony for stars of the current season. your diary now – see the box on the right. occupied by Richard Burton and 1981–95, having the honour of commanding both of the Caribbean Reserves. discovered the fair sex My Chemistry training came in useful in 1972, in Team Histories by Peter Walters (1963, Agriculture) my capacity then as Training Officer of the Reserve. 1963–64 third year in line to fail) to the bench where I was I went to ask the Officer Commanding the Regular Ian Duncan (1962, Modern Languages) was Captain. In Michaelmas Term we played in the working and hesitated for two or three minutes. Coast Guard for the use of a patrol boat for the Second Division but were not promoted. In Hilary Term we surprised everyone by getting to I was initially quite worried until I realised that I weekend training of reservists. The sales manager the Final of Cuppers. In the final we met St Edmund Hall whose side was full of Blues and did not recognise either of the other fellows on my of the Jamaica Oxygen Company was there and Greyhounds. We had only one Blue in Brian King, a South African. We lost the game 19-0 but bench – they must have hardly attended a lecture was suggesting that having magnesium anodes did not disgrace ourselves putting up a good performance, and but for some early dropped in all of nine terms! In my fourth year I worked on on our aluminium patrol boats was a waste of passes might have done even better. the low-temperature (270–350 Celsius) reaction of money – we should use zinc anodes that he could propane with oxygen under the supervision of Sir supply. I butted in and said: ‘Zinc is the proper 1964–65 Cyril Hinshelwood, with whom I continued into material for an anode on a steel boat, but it would John Smith (1962, English) was Captain (an England schoolboy international). In Michaelmas a DPhil. be a cathode on an aluminium boat and would we won the Second Division, without much difficulty. In Hilary we set out determined to get In 1963 I applied for two appointments – one cause the boat to corrode faster than if nothing to another Cuppers Final. We made it after a really close semi final against St Johns which we as assistant master at Malvern College and one as was fitted’. ‘You may know some fancy academic won 3-0. We met Trinity in the Final and went to Iffley Road determined to win (the game was a lecturer in Physical Chemistry at the University chemistry, Seakins,’ the sales manager said, ‘But delayed due to snow). On the day we just didn’t click and lost 11-0 (the result is engraved on of the West Indies. I was offered both. The second you know nothing about real life chemistry.’ the one of the door surrounds in Trinity front quad). All 15 of the Final side attended the dinner. seemed more adventurous and, as I had been with result of which was that, the next week, with help HMS VIDAL in Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, the from a regular sub-lieutenant, and with the use of 1965–66 Bahamas and Haiti, I opted for UWI Mona (Jamaica) a glass beaker, an avometer, and rods of steel, zinc, Peter Walters (1963, Agriculture) was Captain. At last we won something! In Michaelmas we where my wife and I were very happy for 16 years. aluminium and magnesium, the sales manager became League Champions, beating University College at home in the last game. Our record Anne became a lecturer in the Tropical Metabolism discovered for himself which metal would be an was Played 7, Won 6 and Lost 1. Interestingly the soccer team also won the League in the Research Unit, and we had two sons and a daughter. anode with respect to which other metal! same term. In Hilary we were knocked out of Cuppers in the first round as several of the team During this time I continued work on paraffin To find out how different it is reading Chemistry started to focus on Finals! oxidation and also collaborated with the Reader in at Exeter in 2006, turn to page 5.
40 EXON Autumn 2006 www.exetercollege.net EXON Autumn 2006 www.exetercollege.net 41 Alumni
Generally, my areas of interest are galaxy evolution and the star formation history of the Exonians are High Flyers! Universe. More specifically, I have been using Not content with looking at the sky through GOODS to look for differences between galaxies a telescope, Emily recently passed her final at z ~ 1 and local galaxies, with the intention of flight exams and is now a qualified pilot. She learning more about how the Universe evolves was supported by an Old Member. between these epochs. The first step in this process was to define a sample of galaxies at z ~ Coyotes on the runway, near mid-air collisions, 1, which was achieved primarily through multiple sudden dust storms and plane crashes. At the end observing runs with the Keck telescope in Hawaii, of 2004, when I was trying to raise sponsorship situated on the summit of Mauna Kea, one of the money to fund training for my pilot’s licence, most breathtaking, awe-inspiring places I have one of the qualifications required for my long- ever been. One recent and particularly exciting term goal of becoming an astronaut, I had little result to come from this work has arisen from concept of what the following year had in store! the comparison of emission at radio and infrared With its clear skies, reputation for excellent wavelengths. A strong correlation is known to exist flying schools and the relatively low cost of between these wavelengths locally but, contrary tuition, Tucson was the ideal place to train for to previous assumption, this does not seem to be my Private Pilot’s Licence (PPL). I had been the case at higher redshifts. A correlation does generously awarded funding by Exeter College, indeed exist at z ~ 1, but it is not the same as is Exeter College Old Members and the CK Marr seen locally. In addition, there appears to be a Educational trust, and was very keen, but it took population of galaxies at z ~ 1 that simply does three months to convince the US government not adhere to any such relationship, implying that that I was not a threat to national security! In a Galaxy, Far, Far Away these must somehow evolve significantly between In March 2005, I arrived at the flight school z ~ 1 and z ~ 0 in order to produce the distribution for my first lesson, enthusiastic and ready to
©R Williams and the HDF team (STScI) and NASA; Hubblesite.org and the HDF team (STScI) NASA; Williams ©R of galaxies present locally. What is the nature go... until I saw the plane (a Cessna 172). It had of this population of galaxies? Could they be an looked so much bigger in the pictures! I was Emily MacDonald featured in the 2002 edition of Exon, when she was entirely new class of galaxy? These are just some of soon experiencing the exhilaration of flying, but chosen from 400 applicants to join a six-person crew to work at the the questions we are very much hoping to answer. amidst all the theory I had learnt, I guess I missed Ultimately, we are aiming to learn everything we the chapter on what to do when you come in to Mars Society’s Arctic Research Station. Here is an insight into her can about our sample of galaxies, and to compare land and discover about 20 coyotes sleeping on current research and trip to the Mauna Kea observatory in Hawaii. our findings with local and even higher redshift the runway. Apparently that’s quite rare, but it galaxy populations in order to discover more was one of many evasive manoeuvres I had to By Emily MacDonald about how the Universe evolves. By adding and master in the course of my lessons. The worst of (2001, Astrophysics) to dramatically increase our understanding of the comparing our results to other studies in this, and all took place during my first solo flight. I came origin and evolution of galaxies through its use of related fields, and comparing these observational in for a third landing blissfully unaware that t 14,000 feet, on the summit of Mauna Kea, a multiple telescopes sensitive to different wavelengths results with theoretical predictions, astronomers my nose wheel had undergone a ‘catastrophic Awhite blanket spreads out beneath me as far of light (radio, x-ray, infrared and optical). The will slowly but surely continue to unravel the failure’ and had fallen off its axle! The back as the eye can see. As I watch the sun disappear multi-wavelength nature of the survey, combined mysteries of the origin and evolution of the Universe. wheels touched down and I lowered the nose behind a horizon made of clouds, I feel quietly with lengthy observations using the world’s leading Sometimes it can be daunting just thinking about wheel, only to feel the plane suddenly veer confident that this observing run will be a good space- and ground-based telescopes, such as the how much we do not yet know, but then how many off to the right. I tried desperately to steer the one. Slowly the stars begin to show themselves, Hubble and Spitzer Space Telescopes, makes ground-breaking discoveries must lie just around plane but it began to bounce down the runway. and the cosmos opens its doors to us once more, GOODS the first survey of its kind. the corner? Besides, as they say, there’s nothing like With the third bounce, and a horrible metallic leaving me wondering what secrets will be revealed Studying galaxies at high redshift is analogous a good challenge and the cosmos certainly never grinding sound, the plane tipped forward and to us in the nights that follow. to looking back in time and seeing galaxies at fails to present us with that! the tail started to come up and over the nose. Astronomy was always something that fascinated earlier stages in their evolution. When we observe I thought it was all over but miraculously the me. After completing a Masters in Astrophysics the cosmos, we are collecting light from objects propellor hit the ground in such a way as to at Edinburgh University, and a DPhil at Oxford in space. If objects are nearby, the light doesn’t right the plane. Stopping all flights from Tucson University, I accepted a Postdoctoral position have far to travel and we therefore observe it in International airport and being photographed at the National Optical Astronomy Observatory its current state. Light from galaxies that are very with fire men and a crumpled plane was not in Tucson, Arizona. On starting at the NOAO, I far away has a great distance to travel, and so the what I had hoped for on my first solo flight! But became part of a collaboration called GOODS, light we observe now was actually emitted long as my instructor noted, at least I stopped the the Great Observatories Origins Deep Survey, an ago. Consequently, we are observing how the plane exactly on the centreline! innovative and cutting edge endeavor. galaxy appeared in the past. It follows, that the I flew the day after that incident, but it took The aim of GOODS is to provide a data set that more distant a galaxy, the further the light has to longer to get over the psychological hurdles. can be used to study the distant, or ‘high redshift’ travel and, therefore, the earlier in its evolution However, in June 2006, after 70 hours of flying, Universe. Redshift (z) is a way of easily quantifying we will observe it. Studying and comparing the I passed my check ride and gained my Private the distance between our galaxy, the Milky Way, global properties of galaxy populations at different Pilot’s Licence. My examiner commented on and other galaxies. By definition, galaxies that are redshifts will let us map the evolution of the how calm I seemed, despite the strong winds Emily MacDonald graduated in close by or local are at redshift 0, whereas galaxies Universe from earlier epochs to that which is seen that had suddenly kicked up – I was just thankful Astrophysics in 2001. at a redshift of 1, for example, are at a distance today, allowing us to study the structure, formation that there wasn’t a tornado! She is aiming to become of approximately 1.32x10+23 km. GOODS is set and evolution of galaxies over time. an astronaut.
42 EXON Autumn 2006 www.exetercollege.net EXON Autumn 2006 www.exetercollege.net 43 Alumni Uganda, A View of the North
Richard Winn traveled to Gulu in the north of Uganda. Here he tells us about his experiences in the poorer areas of the north. By Richard Winn (1950, Geography) grounds with their sleeping mats and rugs, having walked miles from their homes. We hid our tears as e strongly advise you and your wife not we spoke with them – outwardly they were ready ‘Wto go north to Gulu,’ said a courteous to chat – but inwardly? In Gulu and Kitgum towns Ugandan official at the British High Commission thousands more children seek sanctuary nightly. in Kampala. Most clergy, including bishops, have little pay, yet ‘That’s what you told us nine years ago when we they remain faithful pastors in the camps and the were here and we have not come this far not to go towns. The faith of the Acholi people is remarkable The Age of the Gentleman Explorer to our friends there,’ I replied. – an inspiration and very humbling. A market, and waiting ‘We can’t guarantee you your safety – let me [email protected] for water in Uganda. take a copy of your passport.’ The Pitt Rivers Museum hosted a ‘Congo Journey’ exhibition based on An hour’s air journey north to Gulu rather than the Central African journeys of Robert Hottot in the early 20th Century. the testing six hours’ road journey of our previous visit gives the opportunity of chatting with one’s By Daragh McDowell passengers – a retired lady missionary going (2005, Russian and East European Studies) to Southern Sudan to help pastors’ wives, the Ugandan Catholic priest returning to his parish n February 1908 a young Parisian named Robert in the North West after a rest in the capital, and IHottot set out with a small team for Central the young Mid West American evangelist going Africa on an expedition sponsored by the French to show the ‘Jesus Film’ in the Sudan, or Judy Ministry of Public Instruction. This journey took resurrecting her French to engage four Congolese him several thousand kilometres from Brazzaville students in conversation. near the mouth of the Congo River to Lake Chad. Whilst southern Uganda is relatively prosperous Hottot had visited Africa twice before but as a with Kampala’s traffic jams rivalring most British gentleman traveller on big-game hunting trips. cities, the North is another matter. For 18 years However, these trips had given him a keen interest Kony’s Lord’s Resistance Army has caused terror, in anthropology and, although he lacked formal abducting thousands of children for its ‘army’ as training, his third expedition resulted in a wealth soldiers, prostitutes and slaves – children who of objects and careful documentation. on the material, remarked that to find such a have to kill and mutilate their brothers and sisters Robert Hottot’s son, Hubert, donated a large complete collection is extremely rare. on command. collection of photographs and documents from The Hottot Collection is a remarkable example President Museveni gets few votes here, there the expedition to the Pitt Rivers Museum in 1994. of anthropology in its infancy, and its survival is are no minerals (as yet), a large army earns extra After moving to Jersey with his family in 1925, surely down to Hubert Hottot’s careful ownership pay, and the UN is loath to commit itself (though Robert Hottot had become a great friend of Robert over the course of several decades. Hubert Hottot many non-governmental groups have been here for Marett, the Oxford anthropologist who became worked as a French teacher and completed a years). This has resulted in the continued distress of Rector of Exeter College in 1928. It was through B.Litt. thesis on André Gide in 1951. He remained the people: 1.4 million people live in large camps Top: A local auxiliary this connection that, when he had finished his in England for the rest of his life, until his death in and rely on the white trucks of the World Food soldier showing skulls education at Rugby School, Hottot’s son Hubert Oxford in 1997. Organisation bringing in the basics. Some 60,000 taken from a hut to came to Exeter in 1932 to read PPE. The young For more information on the ‘Congo Journey’ people live in Pabbo Camp, 18 miles north of Gulu Lieutenant Mourin. man’s parents also moved to Oxford, and Robert exhibition visit www.prm.ox.ac.uk/congojourney. – a journey not without its dangers! The camp is The expedition had an became friends with Henry Balfour, curator of Our thanks to Philip Grover and Chris Morton at organised, but life is raw – huts regularly burn down, armed escort in hostile areas. Boganga village, the Pitt Rivers Museum, thereafter occasionally the Pitt Rivers Museum for their assistance. education is basic, and disease is always a problem. Oubangui-Chari, donating objects from his travels to the museum. The land around is mostly uncultivated which is an 19 May 1908. He continued to pursue an interest in anthropology economic disaster as this was once one of the main Middle: Group portrait until his death in 1939. millet growing areas of the Acholi people. of the expedition The Hottot Collection in the Pitt Rivers is We visited, for the Send A Cow charity, a farmer members, taken in Paris prior to departure in most unusual in particular for its completeness. with a very recent cow and calf. His gaunt face 1908. From left to right: Alongside maps and glass-plate photographs, there reflected the rebels who had the previous night Albert Guinard, Léon are the cameras and cases used by Hottot, as well taken his food and milk; his left arm had been cut Poutrin, Robert Hottot as a mechanised stereoscope viewer. Every stage off by them a few years earlier. and Georges Barbat. of the journey has been meticulously recorded, Our hosts, Bishop Nelson and Brenda, insisted Right: Some of the equipment Hottot used and Robert Hottot’s small neat handwriting is on our regular nightfall return, but one night we on the expedition (Pitt everywhere. Philip Grover and Chris Morton, visited the fine Lacor Catholic Hospital near Gulu.
Rivers Museum). curators of the ‘Congo Journey’ exhibition based Thousands of children poured into the protected Winn Richard Photos by
44 EXON Autumn 2006 www.exetercollege.net EXON Autumn 2006 www.exetercollege.net 45 Alumni
Development Office on 01865 279619 Honorary Fellows Old Members’ Association for further details.
The Development Office (black tie) are guest nights when a wider Accommodation This year, the College elected three Exeter’s Development Office plays two variety of Fellows and other College Old Members benefit from a discount new Honorary Fellows. Bennett crucial roles within the College and wider guests will also be dining. Although there rate of £42 per night on Bed & Breakfast Boskey, a distinguished American alumni body. We provide an active link is no restriction on the number of Old in College. The main Guest Room is in lawyer, has helped the College to between Exeter and all its Old Members, Members dining on any one night, the Palmer’s Tower (built in 1432). Normally, create two new posts. David Malet Parents and Friends by hosting regular College may have to sit larger groups in bookings can be taken only out of Full Armstrong, a philospher at the events, producing several publications the body of Hall. Old Members may not Term, and availability will depend on University of Sydney, was a graduate each year and maintaining the alumni bring a guest in to dine on High Table and other residential bookings. Old Members student at Exeter in 1952–4, while website. In addition, the Careers Office gowns are not obligatory. are also eligible for discounts at the Old taking his BPhil. He is also a grandson was established within the Development To sign in for dinner, please download Bank Hotel, the Old Parsonage Hotel and of RR Marett, the anthropologist Office in 2005 to forge links between a booking form from www.exetercollege. the Tower House Hotel in Oxford. Just tell and former Rector, and recalls as a Old Members and current students. The net or contact the Development Office them that you are an Old Member of the child coming to tea on Sundays at the Development Office also coordinates on 01865 279619 for further details. College when you make your booking. Rector’s Lodgings. Arthur Peacocke is the College’s fundraising efforts and we *Those who have read for a ‘masters an Old Member of the College and a are very grateful for all the support we level’ undergraduate degrees such as Careers Support and Networking well known theologian who won the receive, be it in the form of a regular gift MChem etc, are only eligible 21 terms We try to offer continuing support to Oxford University Society 2001 Templeton Prize for Progress in to the Old Members’ Fund or perhaps a after matriculation (ie at the time when Old Members after they have left and are The Oxford University Society is the Role of the United States in a Post-Iraq Religion. larger one-off gift for a specific project. anyone who had done a normal BA happy to set up careers advice meetings, official University alumni organisation, Conflict World’. Exeter College held a We are always happy to hear from you would get their MA) particularly for recent leavers who might with over 160 branches around the world. dinner attended by over 20 Old Members Honorary Fellows are: by phone, email or post and will always **As of 1st October 2006, the price benefit from some words of wisdom It can provide you with an alumni card at Cellini Restaurant, kindly organised by try to help with any inquiry or request. If of High Table meals is £19.27/£25.36 from a more experienced Exonian. If (great discounts) and a lifelong email- Keith Fox (1973, Mathematics). Mr Martin Amis you have news or ideas to share, let us (weekdays/Sundays) with an additional you would like to offer careers advice forwarding service; it produces the highly Sir Ronald Arculus know; if you want to get back in touch charge of £3.62 for dessert and £6.50 for to current students or recent leavers, or informative Oxford Today, which includes Alumni Cards Professor David Armstrong with someone you’ve lost touch with, wine. All prices are inclusive of VAT. think you might need to receive some, do all the latest news on the University at Oxford University Alumni Cards were Dr John Ashworth give us a call. Most of all, if you have please get in touch with us. large, and also runs events (such as the introduced in 2005. The cards serve to Sir Roger Bannister moved house or are coming back to visit Dining in Hall We also arrange an annual networking North American Reunion). If you have identify Oxford graduates when they Mr Greig Barr Mr Alan Bennett College, do let us know. We want to From Michaelmas Term 2006, Old event for Old Members who work in the never registered (or if you have not heard visit Oxford as well as entitling holders Mr Bennett Boskey stay in touch with all our Old Members, Members (regardless of whether or not City (and hopefully in New York) each from OUS for a while) visit www.alumni. to a range of benefits, from discounts on Dr Alfred Brendel Parents and Friends and you are always they hold an MA or higher degree) will December. If you’d like to be involved, ox.ac.uk to find out more. accommodation to ties at Shepherd and Dr Sydney Brenner welcome back. Floreat Exon! also be welcome to dine in Hall with up or have any suggestions for further Woodward. Readers of Oxford Today Professor Marilyn Butler to five guests on Wednesday evenings networking events, do please contact North American Reunion 2006 should already have received a card The Right Honourable Lord Justice Benefits in Full Term at a cost of £18 per head the Alumni Officer on 01865 279619 or The North American Reunion 2006 either in the Trinity Term 2005 or 2006 Richard Buxton All Old Members, Parents and Friends will (includes one glass of wine). Additional [email protected]. attracted more than 800 alumni from editions of Oxford Today. If you need Sir Ronald Cohen receive our annual publications (Exon, drinks can be purchased during the across the United States, Canada and one please contact the Oxford University Professor Sir Ivor Crewe Donors’ Report and the Register) and evening. College will make every effort Contact Details Mexico to the Waldorf-Astoria in New Society at [email protected] The Very Reverend John Drury invitations to our many events from subject to accommodate all bookings but cannot York . The weekend’s events began with or call 01865 288088. Sir James Gowans dinners to book launches – see the events list guarantee that specific dates will be The Development Office a reception on Friday evening, including Mr Harry James for more details. There is an option to sign available. For special occasions, the Exeter College, Oxford, OX1 3DP a speech by the Chancellor, Lord Patten, Email Forwarding Service Professor Sir Ian Kawharu up to receive a termly electronic newsletter Benefactors Gallery can also be hired for +44 (0) 1865 279619 and went on to a day of academic sessions In 2004, the Society introduced an email- Sir Sydney Kentridge ‘Exeter Matters’. It is also possible to make parties of 8–12 at a cost of £45 per head. [email protected] rounded off with College dinners. The forwarding service for recent graduates, Mr John Kufuor use of the College’s conference facilities Please download a booking form from www.exetercollege.net academic sessions included talks on to provide a new Oxford-based email The Right Honourable Lord Justice should you, or your business, be interested. www.exetercollege.net or contact the ‘Global Health – New Frontiers’, ‘Oxford address (set up to forward emails to John Laws In addition, Old Members are entitled to Music – A Harmonious Story’ and ‘The another specified address) once their Sir Michael Levey the following benefits: student email address had expired. The Professor Anthony Low Student loan = £1,333 per term service is currently only being offered to Mr Richard Mahoney Dr Colin Maiden High Table Dining Rights graduates from 2004, 2005 and 2006, The Reverend James McConica Old Members who have their MAs and although there are plans to extend the Mr Stephen Merrett those who have read for a higher degree service to all alumni very soon… watch Tuition = £391.66 per term Professor Joseph Nye (i.e. any graduate or undergraduate this space! Dr Arthur Peacocke masters degree*), are entitled to dine on Mr Philip Pullman High Table: College Accommodation = £752.85 per term Oxford and Cambridge Society Professor John Quelch • Once a year at the College’s expense of India Mr Robert Robertson (but paying for wine and dessert**) The Oxford and Cambridge Society of Sir David Serpell • At two other times in different terms at That’s not including books, food, clothes India offers four scholarships each year, HM The Queen Of Spain their own expense** one of which is to allow an Indian national Sir Kenneth Stowe Old Members may use these Dining who has been accepted to Oxford to Admiral Stansfield Turner and bills... you do the maths! Above, Helen Giannandrea (2002, Modern Rights to dine on Tuesday, Wednesday, History) and Jonathan Snicker (former Direc- study at Exeter College. Professor David Underdown Thursday and Sunday in Full Term, but See why student hardship is a real issue on page 24. tor of Development) at the Exeter College Wednesdays (lounge suit) and Sundays dinner at Cellini in New York.
46 EXON Autumn 2006 www.exetercollege.net EXON Autumn 2006 www.exetercollege.net 47 Alumni Fifty-Five Years On
John Speirs is editing a compilation of letters and drawings from the ‘golden age’ of 1950s JCR suggestion books, to be published in 2007. By John Speirs (1956, Literae Humaniores)
he inclusion of some letters and drawings from Tthe ‘golden age’ of the JCR Suggestion Books in Exon 2001 was fairly well received, although it was clear that most of the letters would have to be typed for a wider readership. To keep your appetite whetted, here are some drawings for Exon 2006. As I write this note in March 2006, I have a full draft at last amounting to about 150 pages. We will be pushing on to publish a book within the next 12 months.
Below Right: Simon Clements (1955, Modern History) ‘Your presence was undoubtedly missed this night, What action do you propose to take to suppress, debauchery, rancid and rampant, or would Exeter not be the same without it?’ And top right, a more recent illustration from the same artist, who says it’s based on a true story and popular locally as a card now!
Desperately Seeking…
Since 1985, students from Williams College, Massachusetts, have been studying at Exeter College on the year-long Williams at Exeter Programme. Each year the Programme provides 26 students from Williams College with the opportunity to further their studies at one of the world’s top universities and experience the intellectual and social life of Exeter College. An event in Washington D.C. earlier this year marked the 21st anniversary of the Programme and planning is already under way for a big reunion (either in Oxford, or in the United States) to celebrate the 25th anniversary in 2010. Roughly 500 students have enrolled on the Programme since it began in 1985 but sadly the College has lost touch with most of them. This summer we began a project to track down these Old Members. As the College does not have an accurate record of Williams-Exeter Programme students this is a particularly Herculean task! Can you help us? If you are still in touch with any Old Members who were on the Williams- Exeter Programme, or if you were on it yourself and can remember or have contact details for any of your classmates please do ask them to get in touch with us at development@exeter. ox.ac.uk or by phone on +44 (0)1865 279620. We very much look forward to hearing from you.
48 EXON Autumn 2006 www.exetercollege.net back section
1952 Matriculands
Can you name – or are you one of – the freshers seen here in their 1952 matriculation photograph sent to us by Vernon Kitch (1952, Modern History). Email your responses to us at [email protected].
1957 Rugby
Back in January 2006 we received a plea from Philip Le Brocq (1957, English) for a copy of the 1957 Rugby team photograph. After an awful lot of detective work on Philip’s part, writing to the players of the 1950s, Jeffery Wear (1957, Physics) obliged with a copy of his original. However, there is still some detective work to be done in putting names to faces. If you recognise any of the players, or are one of them, do please contact us at [email protected].
1967 Matriculands
This photograph of 1967 Freshers was published in the 2005 edition of Exon. Thank you to Robin Taylor (1967, English), Gordon Read (1967, Literae Humaniores) and Godfrey Stone (1968, Geography & Theology) – between them we have names for 56 of the 85 people in this photograph!
From left to right, starting at the back:
Back row ?, Nicholas Kadar, ?, ?, ?, ?, SC Leung 5th row Michael Langley, ?, Roger Elliott, Christopher Booth, ?, Tim Brown, ?, Kelvin Paisley, Alan Lee, MP Griffiths, Philip Radcliffe, ?, Roger Pearson, Robin Richard Schofield, ?, Giles Duncan, Hawker, MJ Lloyd, ?, Hugh Bevan, ?, Taylor John Hall, Gregory Hill, John Gray, Iain Michael Krantz 4th row Webb-Wilson, Michael Richardson, ?, Front row Christopher Shorley, Stephen J Suzman, David Norgrove, Charles Oram, Nicolas Clive Cousins, John Carroll, Brian Anthony McBride, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, John Lethbridge, ?, ? Hillyard, Thomas A Clover, Alan Bean, Davy, ?, ?, Michael McClure?, Charles 2nd row Henry Kyabukasa, Trevor Mills, Richard Palliser ?, ?, James Allman, Christopher Booth, Landon, Michael Schultz, Gordon Read, 3rd row Anthony Tebby, ?, Graham Curtis, ?, Colin Parker, Ian Parker, Keith?, R Greer, Franklin A Johnston, Noel Robinson, ?, Philip Lowe, Sean Lyle, Christopher Keith Bickerstaffe, ?, Peter Bell.
EXON Autumn 2006 www.exetercollege.net 49 back section
1951 Busters Tour Good Evening Moon on to full volume, pull off and allow the wall, went and stood on the Chapel steps, lid to close, leaving a piece of apparently and excommunicated the Rector!’. The 1953 Busters’ photograph prompted By Dr Chris Simpson (1959, Chemistry) uncommitted string on the floor. However In the old bar underneath Staircase 2 a Paul Bolitho (1948, Modern History) to there would be a slight click of the switch, vivid mural depicted this story. write to us with his memories of the tour Chris Simpson continues here his and a soft thud as the lid closed the last The second story related to the Rector to Plymouth and South-East Cornwall he reminiscences of College life in the 60s. quarter inch. How to conceal this?... Nigel who had been William, Duke of Clarence’s organised for the Busters in June 1951. He makes no apology. had a lot of coins which he used as Poker chaplain, who had a slight speech A true historian, Paul sent us the full chips. So we arranged a second string to impediment, and whose picture was hung details of the outcome of each match, In the early 1960s there was a habit of successively tip four stacks of these coins in Hall above and to the right of the portrait some newspaper cuttings charting their tampering with people’s names to make into his china teapot, which we located of King Charles I ‘…In those days, the progress, the fixtures card and the photo nicknames, usually by doubling letters. in a corner of the room. We fixed the students had to attend Battels each Saturday of his cap! For lack of space we have Nigel Salmon became ‘Salmoon’ (with two strings via drawing-pin pulleys so to settle their accounts in front of the included just some of these highlights. the ‘l’ pronounced) and then, ‘Moon’. that they would both be pulled when he College authorities. When one gentleman One evening, Nigel was away in opened the door. We then withdrew for a fronted up, the Rector looked at his Battels Bearing in mind that we were neither the Cambridge and would be returning (via the well-earned Guinness. in amazement “Whaths this I thee? Mutton College First XI nor Second XI, but merely a Fellows’ Garden wall), in an undoubtedly Nigel duly arrived back in a mildly- for Bweakfast, Muttons for Lunthch, Mutton group of young men who enjoyed playing elated state, in the wee small hours. pickled state at around 1:30 am. He for Thupper?…Jesuth Cuwist, man! What cricket, without any pretensions to prowess, Knowing this, the late Malcolm Spence opened his door, to the accompaniment gutsth you mutht have!”.’ I had raised my sights far too high in and I thought this opportunity was too of a series of crashes and tinkles off to seeking fixtures. The first and final matches good to miss. After Hall, we decided to his right. His hand found the light switch Barrow in the Barrow were played on Minor Counties’ grounds ‘invert’ his room on Staircase 6. and a scene of mayhem was revealed. Being chemists, our Schools Dinner was against formidable sides. We lost our first We obtained a ball of string, some His eyes goggled as he focussed and took after three 6-hour Practicals, spaced seven wickets for only 33 on the Saturday sellotape and a packet of drawing in things hanging from the floor and in at two-day intervals, and well after the against the might of the United Services! pins, and made use of various bits of mid-air… But what were those crashes? end of term. By that time the American Busters Bill Roberts (1952, English) Nevertheless, we won two matches out of sporting gear as supports. We trussed He was blearily peering into his teapot Summer School was in residence. Bill best remembers ‘the splendid teas six, and at one stage were leading by two up his (made) bed and then inverted it. when two voices in unison boomed out Our tutor, Dr Richard Barrow, was In the Autumn 2004 edition of Exon in comfy village pubs’ along with the matches to one! We decided against turning the chest of behind him ‘GOOD EVENING, MOON! so relieved that none of us looked like we published a photograph of the tasteful outfits: ‘There was a lovely Busters EW Thompson was far and away our drawers upside down, but inverted each NOT SLOSHED, I HOPE?... NO, YOUR failing finals that, during the dinner, he 1953 Cricket ‘Busters’ – we are no blazer of neapolitan ice-cream colours best batsman, and I believe he was one drawer and its contents without spilling ROOM REALLY IS UPSIDE DOWN… ‘looked on the wine’ and it was very longer referring to these Busters as the (too expensive) and a nice tie of the same of those ‘borrowed’ from the First XI. We them out, stopping the cutlery from falling BUT NEVER MIND, WE ALL LOVE red! This induced in him a blend of ‘College Cricket team’, as so many of bright hues’. were also reinforced by Rex Tompsett who out of the top drawer by sellotaping the YOU…’ and so on. benevolence and incapacity. After dinner you informed us that being able to play as sports master at Kelly College, Tavistock, contents on the inside to its bottom. In the account Moon wrote in the JCR we decided to show the Americans what cricket was not necessarily the most Dennis Holman (1949, English) was unable to fit in a fixture for us, but However, we spared his many teaspoons Suggestion Book immediately afterwards, true Democracy was about. We pinched important qualification for membership! Dennis’s chief memory of the Busters is the turned out to be an Old Exonian himself this indignity, and taped them in a row he said ‘Things started happening!!’ then a wheelbarrow from the Fellows’ Garden Thank you to everyone who sent us in tour of Devon, described by Paul Bolitho and was able to play a couple of matches. across the ceiling, pointing towards his he sat down and wept with laughter. and lowered our revered tutor into it names and memories of the team. (right), when they played the Devonport I regret I have no photos of the players, but kettle which was also taped there. His It took him days to find his cutlery. and wheeled him around the Quad, services: ‘The day was idyllic, the I still have my Busters’ cap, and I include a arm chair was inverted on the floor and Note: Nigel ‘Moon’ Salmon and Chris introducing him to the Americans as our From left to right: condition of the playing surface superb, photo of it which my wife has taken. propped up by his umbrella. I recall his Simpson shared the Quarrell-Read Prize tutor, as he dispensed beatific smiles and the facilities were as well-ordered as any We greatly enjoyed that week: it didn’t College scarf and scholar’s gown were for the ‘Undergraduate most concerned quasi-Papal blessings to all and sundry. Back row: Keith Holloway, John Dakin, first-class county could desire’. The other matter how many games we won or lost apparently hanging upwards from the in the life of the College’ in 1961–62. Frank Thomas/Ashley Pugh, Keith side apparently possessed two bowlers – it was taking part that counted! floor. Cups and saucers were suspended No Apology Pearson who were Welsh rugby internationals! The tour took place just as I left Exeter. in mid-air. All his books were inverted Excommunication of the Rector So there we were: It was said that optimists Second row from back: Roger Barltrop, Were there any subsequent tours? And do in the bookcase, and his current work Every two or three years Dacre Balsdon were learning Russian and pessimists Norman Ransome, Tom Keeley, ?, Colin Patrick Radcliffe (1948, Theology) the Busters still exist? was taped underneath his desk top. The (then Senior Tutor) would give an after- were learning Chinese. Those in between Richards, ?, Gareth ? One of those rare ‘cricketers’ to actually contents of his food tins were exchanged dinner talk in the Dining Hall on the were pretty lighthearted. All we had Front row on chairs: Philip Appleby, get onto the Busters team, Patrick The Development Office can reassure (tea in the one marked ‘sugar’, sugar in History of the College. I attended two of to worry about were the next Tutorial, Anthony Moreton, Benjamin Brough, remembers that the purpose of the group readers that the proud tradition of the tea caddy etc). these. They were not confined to serious Finals, and the fact that, if some clown Dennis Hayden,? was ‘to have a token cricket match with a Busters’ cricket is still going strong We then decided to leave him a content, and I can roughly paraphrase in Russia pushed a button, seven minutes Seated on ground: Robert Shaw, Richard vastly superior village team, who would (see the Sporting Achievements article message on his tape recorder. Now, in two of the more amusing anecdotes. was the longest time anyone in Britain Mackie beat us thoroughly by the middle of the on page 15) If you have any memories those days, such machines were reel-to- The first related to a time some centuries would have to think about it. Carpe Diem Lying on ground: ?, Norman Jacobs afternoon, and we all then retired to the from subsequent Busters’ tours we’d be reel, the size of a small suitcase, and had ago when the Rector of the day had caused or perhaps Carpe Septem Momenta. pub for a riotous evening’s drinking’. delighted to receive them for the next a hinged lid. They had a turn-on switch/ some scandals. I seem to remember that Names were provided by David Burchell issue of Exon. volume knob, and the valve amplifiers Devil Worship was involved and, also, the Some Snippets (1951, Modern History), Richard Mackie required 20 seconds warm-up time. getting with child of one of the College’s • Gentlemen in dinner jackets drumming (1951, Modern Languages), Peter Nicholl Recording a message starting about bed makers. John Trelawney, Bishop of up faith and attempting to walk across the (1951, Chemistry), Bill Roberts (1952, 20 seconds from the start of a reel was Exeter and Visitor of the College, heard goldfish pond after a Rowing Club dinner. English), Dennis Holman (1949, English) no problem. We then rewound, turned about this and posted to Oxford. Dacre • Dr Greig Barr, then Rowing Don and and Colin Richards (1951, Chemistry). the device off, and selected PLAY. We concluded ‘When the Bishop arrived in subsequently Rector, standing on the There was some disagreement as to the taped the end of a piece of string to the Oxford, the Rector heard about it and had table during that dinner, giving a speech identity of back row, 3rd from left, but knob, wrapping it once around the knob the College gates slammed shut in his face. about grabbing opportunities by their our participants were in agreement on so that when pulled, even with the lid Trelawney, being still a vigorous young appendages, while we tied his shoelaces the rest. resting on it, it would turn the recorder man, promptly climbed over the College together.
50 EXON Autumn 2006 www.exetercollege.net EXON Autumn 2006 www.exetercollege.net 51 back section
Opposite page Below Right: The New York Benefactors’ Dinner with Keith Fox, John Quelch, John Tinker, Costas Prapopulos, Joseph Kenner, Robert Sowler A Year in Pictures and Caleb Watts. Middle Right: The launch of Exeter College Boat Club’s new boat (named after Philip Pullman), thanks to generous sponsorship by Water for Fish AON. From left to right: Bagpiper, Phillip Pullman, the President of ECBCA Ryan Clay, Dirk-Jan Omtzigt, the Rector Frances Cairncross, Octave Oppetit, Nicholas Scott, George Anstey, Hannah Matthews, the Boat Club President Cherry Briggs, James Arthur, Steven Shea, Megan Hancock and Richard Harrap. Top: Mathematician undergraduates receive a good trashing in the Lodge on completion of their exams. From left to right: Rhys Jenkins, Chris Collins, Colin Cheung, Matthew Byrd, Charlotte Kestner, Rajiv Tanna and Elizabeth Lennox. Photo by Hannah Matthews. Below Left: The Rector and her husband, Hamish McRae, test the dodgems at the College ball. Photo by Dr Sung Hee Kim. This page Top Right: MCR freshers become a part of the university at matriculation. From left to right: Daragh McDowell, Sara Adams, Elsa Lingos, Mauro Casselli, Ingrid Diran, Julian DeHoog and Stefanie Michor. Photo by Sara Adams. Top Left: Celebrating the Battle of Trafalgar – a chocolate ‘Victory’. Below Left: The Washington DC Reception in the British Embassy to celebrate the Williams-Exeter Programme, was hosted by the Ambassador and Lady Manning. Pictured are Eric Bennett, Home Bursar, with other guests. Middle Right: The JCR Ski trip to Les Deux Alpes at Christmas. From left to right: Rosie Kent, Hannah Adams, Andrew Whitworth, Matt Yeowart, India Bourke, Cat Williams, Mark Curtis, Tolomey Collins, James Reed, Kitty Jansz and Felix Leach. Photo by Cameron Noble. Below Right: Women’s First Torpid victory chalked in the front quad.
52 EXON Autumn 2006 www.exetercollege.net EXON Autumn 2006 www.exetercollege.net 53
Calendar and Dates Frequently Asked Questions
Sunday 24 September 2006 How do I take my degree? To take your Can I bring some friends for a dinner History Gala Dinner for Dr John degree, either in person or in absentia, in Hall? Yes. Visit www.exetercollege. Maddicott contact the College Office on 01865 net and download the Booking Form Saturday 30 September 2006 279648 for a list of Degree Days and for dinner in Hall and return it, with Gaudy for 1982–84 to register or download them from payment, to the Development Office. www.exetercollege.net. The College Tuesday 3 October 2006 has a specific degree day in September I am interested in making a donation Zurich event each year with up to 50 places. Degree to College. What should I do? Fill in Friday 27 October 2006 Days take the form of a ceremony in the enclosed donation form and return
Lyell Society Dinner the Sheldonian Theatre followed by an it to the Development Office. We are xeter college magazine issue 9 autumn 2006 address from the Rector, presentation dependent on the support of all our the E www.exetercollege.net Friday 24 November 2006 of degree certificates and a buffet lunch Old Members, Parents and Friends and Medics’ Dinner in College. Full academic dress must are hugely grateful for the support we Sunday 26 November 2006 be worn and it is your responsibility receive. If you would like to know more Advent Carol Service to ensure that you have the correct contact the Development Office on gown and hood for both parts of the 01865 279620 or development@exeter. Tuesday 5 December 2006 ceremony (before and after your degree ox.ac.uk or visit www.exetercollege.net. City Drinks – London is conferred). Up to three guest tickets Friday 16 February 2007 are given for the ceremony. Guests are I read about an event that I’m interested Rugby Dinner – 50s and 70s also invited to join the Dean of Degrees in, but I’ve not received an invitation? for lunch in College. Further details at Contact the Alumni Officer on 01865 Saturday 10 February 2007 www.exetercollege.net. 279619 or email development@exeter. Volunteers’ Event ox.ac.uk. Saturday 17 March 2007 How do I get my MA? Those in Gaudy for 1994-96 possession of a BA or BFA may apply for How do I find out if there are any events the degree of MA in or after the 21st term going on in the University that I might Saturday 21 April 2007 after matriculation. Those who read for like to attend? See the online Calendar College Ball a ‘master’s level’ undergraduate degree of events at www.admin.ox.ac.uk/nb/. 4–6 May 2007 do not get an MA but gain MA status Chapel Campaign Launch after the same length of time. To sign up I am interested in getting married in the to receive your MA, please contact the Chapel/College – whom do I contact? Sunday 10 June 2007 College Office on 01865 279648 for a Contact the Conference and Events Higgs Night list of Degree Days and to register or Manager on 01865 279653. Saturday 23 June 2007 visit www.exetercollege.net. Gaudy for 1997–99 How do I update my contact details? Who do I contact to sign up for High Visit www.exetercollege.net or call us July 2007 Table? Download a booking form at www. on 01865 279619. Recent Leavers’ Turl Street BBQ exetercollege.net or call 01865 279619.
What’s in a Name? Term dates The Exeter College Old Members’ Fund We are therefore inviting all Exon Michaelmas Term 2006 was founded to provide funds that readers to come up with suggestions Sunday 8 October – Saturday 2 would be used to preserve and extend for new names for this Fund and for December academic excellence and the quality our ‘alumni’ perhaps with something of experience at Exeter. This Fund is steeped in our past or representative Hilary Term 2007 Sunday 14 January – Saturday 10 currently supported by around 1,000 of the College spirit more generally March Old Members, Parents and Friends and is today (note that the Stapledon Society disbursed on an annual basis to support and the Petre Society are already the Trinity Term 2007 projects such as student hardship, official names of the JCR and MCR Sunday 22 April – Saturday 16 June tutorial support and extra-curricular respectively!). Answers on the back of activities and travel. However, with a postcard to The Development Office, the increasing number of Parents and Exeter College, Oxford, OX1 3DP or Friends who have started contributing to email [email protected]. the fund over the last decade, the name Entries will be judged by the College’s ‘Old Members’ Fund’ is now something Development Committee in November of a misnomer, and referring to said ‘Old and the winner will receive a bottle of Members, Parents and Friends’ while College port. descriptive is rather long-winded!
The Development Office, Exeter College, Oxford, OX1 3DP. Tel: +44 1865 279619 WWW.EXETERCOLLEGE.NET