CatzEye Master’s introduction www.st c at z .ox.ac.uk S t Ca ther ine ’s College Oxfo r d Master’s introduction / 02


College life Students impress on Britain’s Got Talent / 03 Award-winning student journalist / 03 Wilfrid Francis Knapp MA / 03 Wallace Watson Award winner announced / 03 Lunch for Legacy Donors / 04 First-year student’s artwork exhibited at Oxford Castle / 04


Women’s football / 04 From the Music House / 04 A musical life / 05 Mark Simpson / 05 College Ball / 06 JCR report / 06 MCR report / 07 2011 Boat Race / 07


Catz Fellows New Fellows / 08 Publications / 08


Alumni news Alumni events / 09 Ground-breaking electric car visits St Catherine’s / 09


Leading botanist returns home to new role in New South Wales / 09


News in brief / 10 St Catherine’s 50th


anniversary book / 10


Extra Virgin! Learning to be an olive farmer the hard way / 11


Dates for your diary / 12


Cover image: The College Music House © Julian Andrews 2011. From the forthcoming publication St Catherine's College, Oxford: A 50th Anniversary Celebration. Order online at www.tmiltd.com/shop/home/PID/131


Welcome to the Trinity Term 2011 edition of CatzEye...


It will not have escaped readers of CatzEye that we are now very close to celebrating this great college’s half-century milestone. 2012 will be a special year for St Catherine’s and it provides a golden opportunity to reflect on our past achievements as well as look to our future. I hope very much that you will want to take part in the celebrations next September. As you can see in the following pages, our community has much to celebrate in the form of student, Fellow and alumni successes across a breadth of athletic, creative and academic endeavours.


Since the last CatzEye, we have thoroughly enjoyed Sir Trevor Nunn’s tenure as Cameron Mackintosh Professor; welcomed hundreds of members to events including our London party at the Inner Temple, Gaudies and our Hong Kong reunion; and seen our students excel in sport, drama and music alongside their studies. As you will see, this particular edition of CatzEye has a distinctly musical flavour with news of current students appearing on BBC radio and ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent as well as contributing to numerous musical groups within the College and University (see the interview on page 5). Mark Simpson’s new compositions and the release of his new CD have exceeded the high expectations we already had of him. The news of the many achievements of alumni includes musical, academic and professional successes alongside some botanical and horticultural ones!


L Sir Trevor Nunn, Cameron Mackintosh Professor, at one of his Student Workshops.


Although the world of Higher Education might still be uncertainly awaiting the full repercussions of budget cuts and fee increases, we continue to offer a world-class education within a friendly and supportive community. I hope you can see from the JCR and MCR reports what an inclusive and vibrant place St Catherine’s is. Maintaining this vibrancy, strengthening academic excellence and attracting the best students, irrespective of their financial means, are crucial goals for us, and we are grateful for the support we receive for the Catz|fivezero Campaign from alumni and friends alike.


The Development Office St CATHERINE’S COLLEGE Manor Road Oxford OX1 3UJ Telephone: 01865 281596/281585 E-mail: alumni@stcatz.ox.ac.uk Website: www.stcatz.ox.ac.uk


Edited by Ant Bagshaw E-mail: catzeye@stcatz.ox.ac.uk


For the first time, St Catherine’s hosted a lunch for those who have chosen to make a gift to the College in their Wills. The event brought together College members from across the generations and recognised that these individuals have chosen to make such a personal gift. I would like to thank warmly all those who have chosen to leave a legacy and everyone who has contributed to our fundraising efforts.


I hope that you enjoy this issue of CatzEye and, as ever, we are keen to hear from our alumni so please do send in your news for future editions. ■


Trinity 2011


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