THE TERMLY E-NEWSLETTER FOR EXONIANS

HILARY TERM 2017

Welcome... to the latest edition of Exeter Matters, the electronic newsletter for Exonians.

RECTOR’S NEWS By far the most important event of Hilary Term 2017 has been the coming into active use of Cohen Quad. The College having taken possession of the site just before Christmas, entry took place during 0th week as students returned for the new term. On 14 January the presidents of the JCR (old and new) and the MCR – watched by a large audience of Exeter students, fellows and staff – cut a ceremonial ribbon to inaugurate the Quad’s student common room. Then, on 27 January, a similarly large and varied crowd took part in Professor Sir Rick Trainor an informal lunch, in the Quad’s Dakota Café, as the building’s chief philanthropist, Sir Ronald Cohen, and the Quad’s architect, Alison Brooks, joined me in giving brief speeches to celebrate the activation of the building. Then, on 6 March, the alumni of the UK/US Fulbright scholarship programme gave the Quad’s FitzHugh Auditorium its first public booking (which also served as one of seven rector’s seminars this term) as award-winning film director Susanna White analysed why so few directors and producers are women. All these events are building up to the ceremonial opening of the Quad on Sunday 19 March. So Cohen Quad is in intensive daily use. More than 80 undergraduates, a junior dean and a visiting fellow live there. Teaching takes place each weekday in the fellows’ Formally opening the student teaching rooms on the third floor. The café is well patronised by fellows, staff and common room at Cohen Quad students – including many who neither study nor work nor live on site. And the Learning Commons – the wonderfully spacious core of the building – is used non- stop by Exeter students, including those in the Williams programme. This rapid take-up in part reflects how crowded we have been on the Turl Street site, as alumni of many different generations can testify! But the immediate enthusiasm for the Quad also reflects the genius of its design and the high quality of the finished product. (I can praise the former without suspicion of immodesty as the project, and the architect, were launched well before I came on the scene!) Everyone I’ve met who has seen the building enthuses about its beauty – the dramatic central arches, the plentiful views to its internal quads, the sense of spaciousness, the quality of the materials. The early success of the building also indicates the importance of providing The entrance of Cohen Quad plus the stunning colonnade Exeter, for the first time, with spaces where fellows, students and staff can mix freely.

| 2 HILARYMICHAELMAS TERM TERM2017 2010 Another ‘first’ was the visit of six Exeter undergraduates to Williams College for two weeks in January where they took part in ‘winter study’. The students returned enthusiastic about the hospitality (in which last year’s Williams students at Exeter played a large role) and the course they pursued (a study of early American history using rare manuscripts held by Williams). Exeter English fellow Sophie Butler – who teaches many of the Williams students at Exeter – provided on-site coordination and encouragement. It is hoped that there will be many sequels to this initial excursion.

Exeter students at Williams Another major feature of the term has been sporting success. The men’s football team College, Massachusetts has been well up the premier league, for example. And Exeter had its most successful in years, with both the men’s first boat (which had four bumps in all) and the women’s first boat scoring bumps on three of the four days. The skill and esprit de corps of the rowers were key; the visit to Exeter during Torpids week of quintuple Olympic medallist Dame Katherine Grainger provided inspiration. Exeter played host this year to the annual Turl Street Arts Festival. Capped as usual by a magnificent Evensong sung by the combined choirs, the now traditional late February array of exhibitions and performances was supplemented by a street fair in Brasenose Lane. No one can be certain that these student-led festivals have diminished the appeal of the once notorious Hilary Term ‘Turl Street Run’, but surely they have been major steps in the right direction! Other celebrations have included Burns Night (addressed by distinguished journalist

Exeter’s rowers Hamish McRae, husband of Rector Cairncross) and Chinese New Year (Exeter’s second annual such event). We have also had subject family dinners for mathematical and physical sciences and for medical and life sciences (addressed by fellows Dr Martin Davy and Dr Gail Hayward respectively) and alumni/student dinners for PPE (addressed by Sir Mark Allen [1968, Oriental Studies]) and Law (addressed by Simon Johnston [1988, Jurisprudence]). A far less expert address was a sermon I gave on 11 February as part of a series on objects and the Christian tradition. My ‘object’ was the beautiful Chapel itself and its 17th century predecessor which our Victorian forbearers demolished in the 1850s. Academic developments have included appointment processes which will result in several new Exeter fellows starting next autumn. Also, at the end of Eighth Week many of our prospective new undergraduates appeared, with parents and other family members, at Exeter’s third annual briefing day for offer holders. Likewise on25 January the Hall was bursting at the annual Parents’ Dinner, mainly for the families

Tracy Coghill of second year students. Four Exonian entrepreneurs spoke eloquently about their businesses at an alumni event hosted by Tracy Coghill (1990, Jurisprudence) at City Asset Management plc on 23 February. Two other alumni – Carolyn Evans (1995, Law), dean of the Melbourne Law School, and Minquan Liu (1985, Economics), professor at Peking University and visiting fellow at Exeter – have given rector’s seminars. Bruce Carnegie Brown (1978, English) has become Chairman of Lloyds of London and Sir Roger Bannister (1946, Physiological Sciences) was named a Companion of Honour in the Queen’s New Year honours list. As I write Oxford’s Easter Vacation has just begun. In late March I’ll be visiting alumni in Hong Kong and in Singapore. In the meantime the grand opening of Cohen Quad will include prominent roles for Dame Frances Cairncross, Sir Ronald Cohen (1964, PPE) and the Vice Chancellor, Professor Louise Richardson. The opening will Sir Roger Bannister highlight the great success of the Exeter Excelling Campaign in having raised more

| 3 HILARYMICHAELMAS TERM TERM2017 2010 than £46 million, with recent pledges set to take the total over £50 million. Cohen Quad is far from the end of the College’s aspirations; indeed it is a major springboard for such plans. But the Quad is a major achievement, and it could not have been accomplished without the generosity of Exeter’s alumni and friends. In turn those sums could not have been raised without key figures such as Rector Cairncross (whose leadership has been so important to Exeter’s upward trajectory), alumni leaders such as Mark Houghton Berry (1979, Literae Humaniores – chair of the campaign) and, of course, Exeter’s fabulously successful Director of Development and Alumni Relations, Katrina Hancock. The first of Exeter’s female students to become a fellow, Katrina has played a key part in the campaign and in the execution of the Quad project. When she leaves the College on 31 March to take a very well deserved career break she will have the cheers of Exonians around the world ringing in her ears. Professor Sir Rick Trainor Rector

COLLEGE NEWS Exeter College set to hold formal opening of Cohen Quad On the weekend of Saturday 18th March and Sunday 19th March 2017, Exeter College, Oxford will formally open Cohen Quad, its new premises on Walton Street. Named for the parents of Exeter College alumnus Sir Ronald Cohen, this new quadrangle, less than 10 minutes’ walk from the College’s historic site on Turl Street, transforms the College and allows it to provide 90 additional study-bedrooms for students, teaching and performance space, a reading room and climate-controlled storage for the College’s special collections, and a hub for social learning. Cohen Quad welcomes film director for inaugural FitzHugh Auditorium lecture We were delighted to host our first lecture in Cohen Quad’s FitzHugh Auditorium earlier this month, as Exeter College welcomed the award-winning film director Susanna White. Known for acclaimed TV series such as Jane Eyre, Parade’s End, and Bleak House, as well as feature films such as Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang and an adaptation of John Le Carré’s Our Kind of Traitor, Susanna White spoke about the paucity of female film directors under the title ‘A Screen of One’s Own’. William Morris carpet unveiled at Cohen Quad A carpet designed by Exonian William Morris (1852) has been installed at Cohen Quad, linking the College’s past with its present. Originally believed to be from the Kelmscott Manor estate – home to William Morris from 1871 until his death in 1896 – the carpet was, until recently, laid on the floor of the Rector’s Lodgings. When thinking about how we might tie the history and heritage of the College, which is so evident at Turl Street, into Cohen Quad, the Quad’s architects proposed that the carpet be hung on public display. Exeter students study at Williams College, MA In January six Exeter College students visited Williams College, Massachusetts to study part of the liberal arts college’s winter study programme. Sophia Miller (2012, Literae Humaniores) was one of the six students to visit. She said: ‘We were all fully welcomed and integrated into student life at Williams. Cultural excursions, organised for us by former WEPO students, included trips to contemporary art museum MASS MoCA (pictured), a trip to an alpaca farm, a college basketball game, and a trip to Walmart! I made some lifelong friends during my time at Williams College.’

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Torpids success for Exeter’s rowers The renaissance of Exeter College Boat Club gathered pace at this year’s Torpids races. The men’s first boat narrowly missed out on blades, securing four bumps and rowing over on the final day. The women’s first boat also enjoyed considerable success. After being bumped by Queen’s on day one they raced up the league, bumping on each day thereafter, including taking revenge on Queen’s along the way.

DEVELOPMENT OFFICE NEWS Exeter Excelling fundraising campaign passes £46 million The Rector and Fellows of Exeter College are delighted to announce that over £46 million has been raised from alumni and friends of the College over the last 10 years to support current and future generations of students, with recent pledges set to take that figure to over £50 million. These gifts, which have been received as part of the College’s Exeter Excelling fundraising campaign to mark the College’s 700th anniversary, secure generous financial aid for students, provide essential funding for teaching posts, particularly in English, History, Politics, Law and Philosophy, and have led to the creation of Cohen Quadrangle (pictured). Katrina Hancock to leave Development Office At the end of March 2017 we will say goodbye to Katrina Hancock, Fellow and Director of Development, as she takes time out to spend more time with her family. Here she discusses her upcoming departure: ‘It is with mixed feelings that I leave Exeter at the end of this month having worked for the College for over 12 years, as well as having been a student here (with my now husband) for four years in the 1990s. Exeter is very much my home and the students, staff, fellows, alumni, parents and friends really are an extension of my own family – and I will miss everyone very much. ‘It has been a real joy and privilege to be part of the Exeter family for so long and I am thrilled to have been able to raise £50 million for current and future generations of students from those who have gone before – your generosity has been exemplary: thank you. So much has been achieved here that sets Exeter apart from other Oxford colleges, not least the construction and opening of Cohen Quad, and that would not have been possible without the tremendous support of the whole Exeter family and the hard work of my wonderful colleagues in the Development Office. ‘I’m delighted that Pamela Stephenson will be taking over from me later this year – she is currently at the University of Western Australia in Perth where she is Associate Director of Development, having previously worked at the British Library, the Natural History Museum and the University of Glasgow. ‘Thank you for your friendship and support over the years and I’m sure I’ll see you again. Floreat Exon!’

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UNIVERSITY NEWS Vice-Chancellor and college heads urge UK guarantee of EU citizens’ rights The Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University, Professor Louise Richardson, and the heads of 38 colleges and Permanent Private Halls have signed a letter to The Times arguing for the rights of EU citizens from outside the UK now living here to remain after Brexit. To read the letter click here.

Oxford announces honorary degrees for 2017 Seven eminent figures from the fields of law, history, architecture, medicine, science and music will be awarded honorary degrees from Oxford University this summer, subject to approval by Congregation. They include politician and academic the Right Honourable Baroness Williams of Crosby Shirley Williams (pictured) and composer and Master of the Queen’s Music Professor Judith Weir. Click here to see a full list.

Target Oxbridge programme set to help more black teenagers reach their potential A programme that helps high-achieving black students gain places at the UK’s top universities is to expand. The Target Oxbridge programme is run on a pro bono basis by the graduate recruitment firm Rare and aims to increase black African and Caribbean students’ chances of getting into Oxford and Cambridge. The scheme has helped 46 black African and Caribbean students receive offers from Oxbridge since it launched in 2012. That includes 16 this year alone, at a success rate of 36% – well above the national average of around 20%. [Photo: John Cairns.]

ALUMNI NEWS Sir Roger Bannister made Companion of Honour Sir Roger Bannister (1946, Physiological Sciences) has been made a Companion of Honour in the New Year’s honours list. Sir Roger was famously the first man to run a mile in under four minutes and won gold at the 1954 Empire Games and the 1954 European Championships, in the mile and 1500 metres respectively, before going on to enjoy a career as an eminent neurologist. He was made a Companion of Honour for services to sport, becoming one of just 54 living people to hold the title. Philip Pullman (1965, English) announces follow-ups to His Dark Materials Philip Pullman (1965, English) has announced the long-awaited follow-up to his best- selling trilogy of novels, His Dark Materials. The new trilogy will be called The Book of Dust and the first part will be released in October this year, 17 years after the final part of the His Dark Materials trilogy was released.

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Professor Surya Subedi, OBE appointed Honorary Queen’s Counsel Her Majesty the Queen has appointed Exeter alumnus Professor Surya Subedi, OBE (1989, International Law) an Honorary Queen’s Counsel. It comes in recognition of his contribution to the development of international law and to the advancement of human rights. Professor Subedi said after the announcement: ‘This all would not have been possible without the support, guidance and supervision that I received when I was at Exeter undertaking research for my DPhil in law.’ Exonians in print Keith Pearce (1970, PGCE) has published The Jews of Cornwall, a History. In this substantial and meticulously researched book, Keith Pearce applies a critical and penetrating analysis to the place of Jews in Cornish folklore, and also distinguishes the Cornish Jews from the indigenous Cornish Gentiles who adopted Hebrew names, but who are not known to have been of Jewish descent. John Weale (1962, Literae Humaniores) has published Off-Hire: A Study. The book is believed to be the first detailed treatment of its subject, and has been well received by the practitioners in the shipping industry. The book is introduced by Sir Bernard Rix, a former UK Lord Justice of Appeal. He writes: ‘It is a strength of this book that it takes a comprehensive, disciplined and enquiring look at both the older, leading, cases in this field and at the modern trend of authority. At every stage of the journey, the reader is given the facts, the arguments, the decision, and the principles, but always subject to the most searching eye for failures in consistency or realism.’ Paul Wheeler (1955, Modern History) has published his autobiography, Right Place, Right Time. Paul Wheeler grew up in a working class family and, buoyed by a new wave of social mobility following the Second World War, came up to Oxford in 1955 to read Modern History at Exeter College. Here he progressed academically and at sport, building connections that helped him to establish a career at MI6 and ultimately as a screenwriter for the fast-growing medium of television. The combination of talent, know-how, connections, and crucially being in the right place at the right time allowed Mr Wheeler to enjoy a successful career in film and television. Right Place, Right Time is his story.

EVENTS Alumni Event in Hong Kong, Hong Kong Club, 23 March Alumni based in Hong Kong, the People’s Republic of China and Taiwan are invited to join the Rector for a drinks reception at the Hong Kong Club, kindly hosted by David Webb (1983, Mathematics). Alumni Weekend in Asia, Singapore, 24 – 26 March Alumni currently based in Singapore and Malaysia are invited to the University Gala and reception with the Rector of Exeter College. This is taking place during the Alumni Reunion Weekend in Singapore. Exeter goes to , The Ship, 10 Thames Bank, London, 2 April Exeter College Boat Club are organising an event to coincide with the 2017 Boat Race. Join them to cheer on the dark blues at The Ship near Chiswick Bridge. All current members of Exeter College and alumni are invited so please come along. There is no need to book. Racing starts at 16.35 but early arrival is recommended. For further details visit the ECBC Facebook page here. | 7 HILARY TERM 2017 Amelia Jackson Society Luncheon, Exeter College, 19 April Members of the Amelia Jackson Society are invited to the fifth annual meeting at Exeter College. The Amelia Jackson Society recognises those who have pledged to support Exeter College in their will. Families in the Fellows’ Garden, Exeter College, 13 May Current members, alumni and their families are welcomed to enjoy an afternoon of family fun in the Fellows’ Garden. Exeter’s student-led charity, ExVac, will be on hand to organise games, crafts and all-round fun activities for children (and adults, if they desire!). Alumni Event in Gloucestershire, Meysey Hampton, 19 May Christopher Page (1977, Modern History) would like to welcome all alumni and friends of Exeter College based in Gloucestershire to his home for drinks and canapes. Rector’s Garden Party, Exeter College, 27 May All current members of the 1314 Society and Oxfordshire alumni are invited to join the Rector for his annual Garden Party in the Rector’s Lodgings at Exeter College. Young Alumni Boathouse Drinks, Exeter College Boathouse, 27 May All alumni that have matriculated since 2005 are invited to our annual event for Young Alumni at Exeter College Boathouse to cheer on Exeter’s rowers on the final day of Summer VIIIs. Boat Club Dinner, Exeter College, 27 May Alumni and friends of Exeter College Boat Club are warmly invited to the annual ECBC Association Summer VIIIs Dinner. The evening will open with a drinks reception, followed by dinner in Hall. Leavers’ Parents’ Lunch, Exeter College, 18 June Parents and guardians of finalist students are warmly invited for lunch in Hall. Invitations will be pidged to students to pass to their parents or guardians. 1980–1984 Grand Gaudy, Exeter College, 24 June All alumni who matriculated in the years 1980–1984 are warmly invited back to Exeter for their Grand Gaudy.

AND FINALLY... Discover the Ashmolean with a new podcast A new podcast series in which Oxford University academics from very different fields discuss objects from the Ashmolean Museum has been launched. In each episode of ‘Thinking with Things: The Oxford Collection Podcasts’, a prominent academic unpicks the story behind a single object from the Ashmolean’s collections that relates to their research. To read about the podcasts or to download them for free click here.