Court Matters CHANCELLOR's COURT of BENEFACTORS 2018–19
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2018-19 chancellor’s court of benefactors Court Matters CHANCELLOR'S COURT OF BENEFACTORS 2018–19 here is no denying that we Nethercott Sports Centre, which live in turbulent times and will transform the experience of Tuncertainties confront us at sport at Oxford – not just for almost every turn. That’s why the staff and students, but for the wider enlightened values that Oxford has community too. Also opening embodied for centuries are more this year is Keble College’s new important than ever – and why H B Allen Centre for graduate the support of our friends in the research, made possible by CCB Chancellor’s Court of Benefactors Fellow the H B Allen Charitable (CCB) takes on an even greater Trust. And a planned bequest by significance in the life and work of CCB Member Dr Peter Braam will the University. launch a major new programme at This year we have once again seen Merton College, focusing on global that support bear fruit. From new wellbeing. buildings to new research, from Oxford’s commitment to the new scholarships to new levels of greater common good means inclusive outreach, CCB members we strive to open the doors of have helped Oxford maintain its role opportunity to students from every The Rt Hon Lord Patten of Barnes, CH Chancellor, University of Oxford as an economic powerhouse – adding background, regardless of financial around £5.8 billion to the national constraints. Oxford’s innovative economy – while elevating it to even and successful UNIQ programme, higher levels of excellence. This year which includes students from Oxford retained its position as the underprivileged backgrounds, is best university in the world in the increasing its scope with a generous Times Higher Education rankings, donation from CCB Fellows Sir while also achieving the UK’s Michael Moritz and Ms Harriet highest-rated university spot in the Heyman. Their support will also QS World University Rankings for expand Oxford’s Moritz-Heyman the first time. Scholarship Programme, which The Oxford Thinking Campaign, allows talented undergraduates from spearheaded by the stalwarts of low-income families to pursue their the CCB, is nearing its target of academic dreams at the highest level. £3 billion. The confidence in The University of Oxford began Oxford’s future shown by such almost a thousand years ago. We global support was crucial in the have weathered many storms since University’s £750 million bond that time, and have carried our issue this year for major new mission of fostering knowledge, infrastructure development. Both enlightenment and mutual the fundraising total and the bond issue are the largest in the history of understanding through all of them, European higher education. emerging stronger than before. I am confident that we can expect The bond will augment Oxford’s the same success in the future as ongoing commitment to investment we move forward with the support CONTENT in infrastructure to benefit its and wise counsel of the Chancellor’s teaching and research. This year Court of Benefactors. 3 The Impact of the Court The H B Allen Centre, Keble College’s new ‘quad’, will saw the opening of the Department provide a home for up to 255 graduate students and of Physics’ new Beecroft Building, 6 Investing in the Future postdoctoral academics, and space for research and built with considerable philanthropic development. It has been made possible through a number 10 The Annual Meeting support, not least from CCB of gifts, including the transformative £25 million capital 15 About CCB grant from the H B Allen Charitable Trust. Member Adrian Beecroft. 16 Awards and Honours We have also opened our new The Rt Hon Lord Patten of Barnes, CH advanced sports facility, the Acer Chancellor, University of Oxford 20 Membership List 1 CHANCELLOR'S COURT OF BENEFACTORS 2018–19 CHANCELLOR'S COURT OF BENEFACTORS 2018–19 CHANCELLOR'S COURT OF BENEFACTORS 2018–19 THE IMPACT OF THE COURT Members of the Court are supporting ambitious and pioneering projects across the University SCULPTURE AND DECORATIVE ARTS ASSURED FOR THE ASHMOLEAN he Ashmolean Museum has secured the endowment of its Tmain 19th-century gallery thanks to the continued support of US collectors and CCB Fellows Barrie and Deedee Wigmore. Dr Xa Sturgis, Director of the Ashmolean, says: ‘Barrie and Deedee Wigmore’s enduring support has not only enabled us to build our collection of decorative arts through magnificent gifts and loans but also to transform how these works are displayed. We are honoured to have named our 19th-century gallery the Deedee Wigmore Gallery in recognition of their generosity.’ The post of Curator of Sculpture and Decorative Arts is now also assured in perpetuity as a result of the gift. As well as having responsibility for developing and caring for the collection, the role involves exploring new ways of making the material more engaging and accessible to the museum’s visitors and global audiences. With this in mind, and following the success of a first symposium funded by the Wigmores on 19th-century decorative arts and the Victorian era, which took place at the Taylorian Library in 2016, they are funding Ashmolean Museum plans for a series of symposia that will explore wide-ranging and interdisciplinary themes relating to the 19th century. These specialist events will not only position the Ashmolean ‘Aquarian’ jardinière. Designed by Christopher Dresser. Manufactured by Wedgwood & Sons, Stoke-on-Trent. as a world leader in the study of this Earthenware, about 1872. On loan from the Deedee period, but also make research and and Barrie Wigmore Collection, 2016. scholarship in this area available to the Top: The Deedee Wigmore Gallery at the Ashmolean Museum, which opened in 2018 widest possible audience. Bottom: CCB Fellows Barrie and Deedee Wigmore in the Deedee Wigmore Gallery 2 3 CHANCELLOR'S COURT OF BENEFACTORS 2018–19 CHANCELLOR'S COURT OF BENEFACTORS 2018–19 A FUTURE FOR FORESTRY SPOTLIGHT ON STUDENT SUPPORT lasting legacy for the future of of themes, from tree physiology and Partnerships and communications with education and research into forest genetics to sustainable forest related specialist organisations, such as A forest science is assured thanks management and agro-forestry with Forest Research in Scotland, the Earth to the visionary support of Sir Martin a view to preserving and enhancing Trust and the Royal Society, and leading and Lady Wood and of the Patsy global and UK forests. The course research teams internationally are now Wood Trust. Patsy, their daughter, includes a visit to Paradise Wood well established, whilst collaborations had a master’s degree in forestry from near Little Wittenham, South with developing countries are being Oxford, and set up this trust before her Oxfordshire, the early development fostered. This commitment to sustained death in 2007. of which was also supported by Sir collaboration is integral in ensuring the continued impact of the Wood The Wood Professorship in Forest Martin and Lady Wood. Professorship into the future. Science, created in 2013 and currently Professor MacKay also supervises a held by Professor John MacKay, is team of DPhil students whose research unique in its breadth and reach. focuses on four areas: the adaptability A key goal of the post is to encourage and resilience of forest trees to and nurture the next generation of changing conditions such as climate experts through a specially created change; forest health; tree breeding forestry course, an option for using modern genomics technologies; Oxford’s third-year biological sciences and conservation of endangered Biological Sciences students on a field trip, undergraduates. Students cover a range species. courtesy of the Department of Plant Sciences Above: The annual reception for Moritz-Heyman Scholars, Oxford University Museum of Natural History. hanks to generous funding Many students at graduate level are also scholarships for astrophysics graduate from our CCB members, supported through philanthropy: 1,000 students in the areas of galaxy evolution, TOxford is able to welcome top scholarships are currently available for the dark universe and the transient scholars regardless of their financial students undertaking graduate study, universe. The first Hintze Scholar, Laura circumstances. a figure that would not be possible Prichard, has recently completed her without support. Graduate funding DPhil and is about to take up a post at The Moritz-Heyman Scholarship is a key strategic priority for the the Space Telescope Science Institute in Programme is an enhanced programme University, with a commitment to Baltimore, Maryland. for undergraduate students. Created establish 300 new graduate scholarships A beneficiary of the Wolfson in 2012, it has to date enabled more in the next five years. than 1,000 Moritz-Heyman Scholars Postgraduate Scholarships in the to pursue their academic potential New CCB Members Phillip and Patricia Humanities, Ben Kehoe (DPhil History, Frost established the Frost Florida and Wolfson College), encapsulates the without financial constraints. Scholars Frost Israel Scholarships for master’s sentiments of many scholars who have have access to bespoke internship students of STEM subjects in 2014 and benefited from this support: ‘Their opportunities and, with volunteering 2015 respectively. Frost Scholar Furtuna generous grant has both enabled me being a compulsory element of the Tewolde (MSc Psychological Research, to follow my passion and pursue a programme, they participate in outreach Queen’s College) says: ‘My biggest PhD, as well as helping me lay down and community activities. achievement thus far has been the foundations for the rest of my career.’ Ruth Cox, a Moritz-Heyman Scholar publication of my master’s thesis in The scope for philanthropic support to a peer-reviewed scientific journal studying English at St Hilda’s College, transform lives is indisputable. New (Autism Research), for which I also who has worked with potential CCB Fellow the Atlantic Philanthropies, won a prize in the Open Science Oxbridge applicants at her old school, an international, limited-life foundation, Framework Preregistration Challenge.