The Newsletter of Pembroke College Development Office Winter 1997 Issue VI
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The start of the autumn term saw the formal launch of the Century 5 Campaign to raise a minimum of S,10M to begin to re-endow the College. After a busy few months, during which the Development Office ensured that the College database was brought upto-date, fund-raising activities began in earnest when John Platt travelled to the US to elicit support amongst old members for our American Appeal. The later part of the summer vacation saw the Master hard at work in the Far East, visiting Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Kuala Lumpur, while the Pembroke Parents Association, under the leadership of Tony Holland, launched a successful appeal for funds to restore student rooms.
Jonida & Paulina 1997 Pembroke freshers thanks to the generosity of old members and friends
Pembroke Ambassador US Ambassador Phil Lader ('67), and his wife Lynda in conversation with Sir Roger Bannister
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A series of regional receptions have been held during the autumn term to spread the word and to acquaint Pembrokians with plans for the future, and news from the Fellowship, and the student body. The first of the receptions was held in Edinburgh on 9 October, with over 40 old members, friends and Fellows in attendance. Harvey's Wine Cellars proved the popular venue for a Bristol area gathering the following week. Receptions have also been held in Manchester at the Bridgewater Hall, and in Leeds at Tetley's Brewery Wharf. The gatherings have so far been characterised by the profusion of College and PCBC ties, and the unmistakable buzz of conversation as Pembrokians have met with old friends and made new ones. At the time of going to press, we are once again preparing to board a train, this time to take us to Birmingham where a reception is to be held at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens in Edgbaston. We have been very pleased with the large numbers showing up to support the College and sincere thanks are due to the hosts of the autumn receptions - Lord Abernethy (`58), David Speller (`54), Terry Hughes (`53), Foundation Fellow Frank Buckley, Roger Chapman (`69) and David Terry (56).
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Contd. Tanaka Foundation In July, the College was represented by Ray Rook and John Platt at the 6th Annual Grant Presentation Ceremony of the Tanaka Foundation, held in New York. As one of its many annual benefactions to charities, the Foundation presented to Pembroke a cheque in support of the Fellowship in Computing. Leasowes Lottery Grant We are delighted to pass on the news that the project to restore the Leasowes - outlined in the last issue has been awarded ÂŁ1,306,500 by the Trustees of the Heritage Lottery Fund. The Leasowes, a Grade One listed' area of historic landscape and ancient woodland, was designed by the poet William Shenstone who matriculated in 1732. The grant will enable the restoration of the waterways, cascades, paths, urns and the ruined priory to commence. The portrait of Shenstone illustrated to the right currently resides in the SCR Dining Room. College Garden Award The Oxford in Bloom Gold Award for Colleges and schools of the University, has once again returned to Pembroke hands. The College gardens, tended by Richard Markham, were similarly successful in `91, '93 and '95 with Pembroke as the winner obliged to withdraw from competition in 1992 and 1994 to give other Colleges a chance! Registers The Development Office is currently busy preparing to publish the 1998 City Group and Blackstone Society Registers. Many thanks to all those old members who have returned the relevant questionnaires. Please note that a deadline for copy for both registers, should old members wish to participate, is 15 December. And finally, news has reached the editor of the Golden Wedding anniversary ' of Michael Strubell ('37) and his wife Amelia (Somerville '43) on 18 October. Many congratulations!
College Portrait of William Shenstone of the Leasowes
- Swan Hellenic Cruise As mentioned in the last issue of The Pembrokian, the College is once again joining forces with Swan Hellenic to promote a 15-day cruise aboard the Minerva. A discount of 10% is available to Pembrokians booking a place on the cruise which will take place between 27 May - 10 June 1998. Work commitments allowing, John Platt once again hopes to join the party and guest lecturers will include The Rt. Rev. and Rt. Hon. Lord Runcie of Cuddesdon and Professor Michael Fulford, specialising in the archaeology of the Roman Empire. Please note that with each booking, Swan Hellenic will once again make a donation towards the Century 5 Campaign.
Gaudy Dates Saturday 10 January 1998 - 1959 - 1963 Saturday 21 March 1998
- 1964 - 1967
Saturday 27 June 1998
- 1950 - 1956
Saturday 9 January 1999 - 1968 - 1972
Pembroke in the USA - John Platt It was not without some trepidation that, at the age of sixty, I set out on my very first overseas fund-raising venture in April. A number of considerations sustained me. First and foremost, I was going as a Pembrokian to Pembrokians and not for myself but for the College. Secondly, my experience both of US students past and present and the warmth of American hospitality encountered on my, albeit few, previous visits to the country was most positive.
And I thought fund-raising was an easy ride...
me feel at home wherever I Went. There is not the space here to list all those to whom I owe my thanks. But it is not for myself alone but for our College that I count the blessing of so many friends of such a calibre. As The Pembrokian goes to press, the College estimates that some 100,000 dollars has so far been received in gifts and pledges. America is a big place and I was, of course, not able to see all 385 Pembrokians currently living and working there. In the coming weeks, I hope to be able to send to all those people I was not able to see personally details of how they can help the College as part of the Century 5 Campaign. Please take the time to consider our US projects. Already, a number of old members have promised funding for the student study-bedrooms on Staircase 17 and a very generous donation has been received from the Estee Lauder Group of Companies to help us to restore the fine staircase there. There is so much for us to do and your contribution can make a real difference, in this case, to the lives of our students living in College. Moreover, Martha Klein, our Fellow in Philosophy is a fellow American, and we are delighted that the Fulbright name lives on at Pembroke through this Fellowship. I hope that you will consider both projects - each in their own way a vital part of Pembroke life - worthy of your support.
Thus reassured, I stepped onto the first of the three transatlantic flights which I was to make during the summer. Experience entirely confirmed this reassurance. One measure of the welcome I received may be judged from the fact that during the thirteen weeks I spent in the USA, I stayed just three nights in hotels and all the rest in the homes of Pembrokians. Hosts in Texas (Terry Slesinski-Wyowski '82 and Dr Damon Wells, CBE '61), California (Revan Tranter '54), New York (Michelle Pelusso '93), Pennsylvania (Professor Robert Bannister '55), Massachusetts (Professor Hywel Madoc-Jones '57) and Washington DC (Bob Long '80) arranged receptions for old members and I followed up these occasions by contacting Pembrokians in the areas, inviting them to support the Century 5 Campaign. In particular, I was seeking funding for two projects -
The restoration of Staircase Seventeen in the North Quad The William Fulbright Fellowship in Philosophy Everywhere I went, I was enormously encouraged by the warmth of affection which existed for the College and by the readiness of Pembrokians living in America to respond with their customary generosity. It was, of course hard work, and at times the phrase - the long, hot summer took on new meaning as I joined the long succession of Brits who discover just how further south the US lies than does our native land. Nonetheless, my overwhelming and abiding experience was one of delight in meeting so many Pembroke friends and their families who showed me so much of interest in their great country and above all, made
In California with Revan Tranter Other News One of our American alumni, based in New York, has generously offered to raise money to modernise the Pembroke sports pavilion which desperately needs new shower and changing facilities and a more welcoming club room in which to display the many College trophies and team photos. If you are interested in getting involved, please contact Dr Ray Rook, who is co-ordinating the project in the Development Office. While I am on the subject of matters Stateside, you will note that Phil Lader has been appointed US Ambassador to Britain. Congratulations Phil from all at Pembroke!
The Record - An Apology. The completed text for the 1995/6 record is now with the printers and we hope to have copies ready for distribution in time for Christmas. We plan to have the 1996/7 edition completed by Easter 1998.
Campaign
update
As most of you will now no doubt be aware by now, the Pembroke College Century 5 Campaign to raise a minimum of S,10M has begun in earnest. We are delighted to announce that so far £6M has been raised in gifts and pledges. Furthermore, our Campaign has received a major boost in the form of a significant matching gift which will mean that once a 'trigger point' of £8M is reached, the College will receive £2 for every £1 given.
Century 5 Campaign To ensure that the College continues to thrive in its fifth century of service, we are now asking you to support our three greatest assets:
Pembroke's Buildings
Pembroke's Fellows
Pembroke's Students
A Campaign target of S,10M may sound like a lot of money, but it is true to say that without it, Pembroke will inevitably become a quite different College, forced to provide fewer tutorials by College Fellows and to charge students far more for the 'Pembroke Experience'. We have already received much needed support from a large number of trusts, companies and individuals all of whom are united by the fact that they see in Pembroke an important educational organisation worthy of their investment. Many of you may think that in the face of large 'leadership' donations, small sums given by individuals do not matter as much to the College. This is not the case. It is important to bear in mind that almost all of Pembroke's buildings today owe their existence to gifts both large and small. Furthermore, the promise of a matching gift has made every single donation to the Campaign worth that bit more! Thus, a 5-year covenant of, for example, £100 will actually be worth £1000 to the College. In the spring, the College will begin its first ever telephone campaign. Under the guidance of the Fellowship and a team of experienced telephone consultants used by other Oxbridge Colleges and national charities, old members will receive a call from a Pembroke student, asking them to participate in the Century 5 Campaign. The College has spent some months producing a booklet to explain the aims of the campaign and each old member will be receiving a copy after Christmas. It is our hope that you will take the time to read the booklet and consider what we have to say. To ensure the success of the campaign, we need the support of each and every old member. Donations large and small will together make a difference to the future of Pembroke and I hope that you will consider contributing generously.
Our Polish and Albanian Freshers (pictured on the front cover) are settling in well to life at Pembroke and we plan to provide old members with an update on their progress in January. The Pembroke Parents' Association Appeal has received more than £12,000 so far in gifts and pledges. We are delighted with the progress so far, which will enable work to start on the refurbishment of a studybedroom, with plans for a second to follow if funds continue to come into the Development Office at their present rate. All those who have contributed to the Appeal will be invited to the official room-naming ceremony at the 1998 Garden Party, to be followed by a special Master's reception in the Lodgings.
- Development Contacts Dr J. Raymond Rook. Director of Development of the Century 5 Campaign. Tel : 01865 276417 e.mail - ray.rook@pmb.ox.ac.uk Mrs Gloria Mundy Secretary to the Director of the Century 5 Campaign . Tel : 01865 276478 e.mail - gloria.mundy@pmb.ox.ac.uk John Barlow (`52) Bequest Officer Tel : 01865 276501 e.mail - john.barlow@pmb.ox.ac.uk Victoria Wild (`94) Alumni Relations Officer. Tel : 01865 276502 e.mail - victoria.wild@pmb.ox.ac.uk
Pembroke website http://www.pmb.ox.ac.uk
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Building Matters
Note from the College Architect - Ian Salisbury
Notes from the Domestic Bursar -Janette Griffiths
Periods during the history of the College when improvement of the buildings, and their extension, have taken place are distinctive. By its recent achievements and with the projects outlined in this ambitious programme the College is showing itself to be as vigorous and successful in its objectives as ever it has been.
It has been a particularly full summer! The maintenance department has been kept particularly busy with the completion of work in Staircase Eleven (The Besse Building) and the eleven Pembroke Freshers occupying the newlyrefurbished study-bedrooms are delighted with their accommodation which now includes central heating, and showers.
Apart from a very high commitment to the maintenance of its older buildings, over the past 10 years the College has succeeded with The Sir Geoffrey Arthur Building in providing its members with one of the best residential buildings in the University. More recently, the College has purchased three properties in Brewer Street, adjacent to the main site, including two important old houses that have been sensitively converted into The Sir Roger Bannister Graduate Centre. There is, however, nothing permanent in a building. Conservation of the built stock is an abiding responsibility. Successful conservation brings change: change that adapts buildings to higher standards that students, Fellows and visitors expect. There is much to be done.
There is the usual 'stitch-in-time' work of repairing some of the very oldest buildings in College. There is also the very challenging and immediate programme of improvement, providing bathrooms and comfortable furniture, installing central heating and good lighting, and a new telecommunications network. All this work must be done carefully and with great sensitivity. I am therefore very pleased to endorse the objectives set out by the College. It is a remarkably ambitious programme and one which responsibly cannot be avoided or even postponed. Dividing work into discrete task will allow completed work to provide encouragement for what follows, and the College is nothing less than realistic in publishing the very substantial cost of the work involved.
While all this may sound rather plush to some of our old members, the provision of this kind of accommodation is vital to the success of our expanding conference business during the vacations. Companies such as Estee Lauder have become regular customers, not only because of the friendly Pembroke welcome they receive, but also because we can provide the high standards in accommodation and conference facilities which are now in demand. The re-painting of the exterior of the College has meant that scaffolding and ladders have become familiar Pembroke fixtures! North Quad has been completed and work has started in Pembroke St. As we believe it is important to retain the original window styles and paint colours, the project will take some months to complete. Looking to 1998, our main priorities are Staircases 8, 9 and 17. A feasibility study has being carried out to determine the cost to completely refurbish 8 & 9, and the project will perhaps be worked in conjunction with the modernisation of Staircase 17. The existence of a particularly fine staircase, unusual stained glass and many Georgian features, including original fireplaces has meant that work on Staircase 17 has been held up while College considers. the best way to marry the old with the new. While it would undoubtedly be cheaper and quicker to strip the building and start afresh, the Pembroke Fellowship as custodians of our fine architectural heritage believe that it is 'particularly important to retain as many original features as is practical. By investing in the future of Pembroke in this way, the College aims to ensure the continuing utility and demand for its buildings into the next century and beyond.
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JCR News
Mark Twyman '82
Following the recent sale of 'Man in a Chair' by Francis Bacon for ÂŁ1/2M with the full support of the student body, the JCR Art Fund directors, with the advice of a co-opted curator, JCR solicitors and accountants are now considering the best way in which to rejuvenate the Fund.
A service to celebrate the life of Mark Twyman will be held in the College Chapel on Saturday 13 December.
Art
Income from the capital will not be spent without the utmost consideration and the directors wish to adhere carefully to the ethos of the collection which was started some 50 years ago. Possible plans include the establishment of an arts bursary, the commencement of a new acquisitions programme which would also build on the works from the 1940s and 1950s, and a programme of further restoration work. The Art Rep has recently re-started the practice of loaning works to students to decorate their rooms, and a number of pictures are also on display in the JCR Art Room. A further 24 pictures have also recently returned to College having been reframed. Plans for a student-run hardship scheme, funded by a small percentage of the yearly interest from the sale, are also being considered and it is hoped that a suitable proposal will emerge to perhaps be put into operation during the next academic year.
Mark, who came up to Pembroke to read Chemistry in 1982 was tragically killed by gunmen at Silver Hill, Portland, Jamaica on Wednesday 9 July 1997. Following the completion of a Ph.D. in Chemistry in 1989 and a two-year Fellowship at Oxford, Mark, who was born in Jamaica, spent two years with Exxon at their research station in Abingdon.
Old members interested in viewing the collection should contact the JCR President Mr Tarik O'Regan on 01865 276427
Overseas Scholar This year, the students of Pembroke JCR are each paying a small levy to fund the education of an overseas scholar at the College as part of a scheme run by the Oxford University Student Union. Aneeqa Aqueel from Islamabad in Pakistan joined the College in October to study Economics and Management. Ms Aqueel is one of a record number of 174 Freshers, including a group of students from US universities on a year abroad programme, starting their Pembroke careers this year.
Beer Following research into the JCR minute books dating back over 50 years, information was gleaned that beer was at one time freely available in JCR meetings in the form of a tapped barrel. With the help of Morrells Brewery, this fine Pembroke tradition has now been resurrected. Unbelievably, the local brewery had lost all contact with the University and it is hoped that other Colleges will follow the precedent set by Pembroke of re-introducing local barrelled beer.
Three Peaks Challenge In the early hours of 28 June, 33 Pembroke students & old members were faced with the prospect of conquering Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon within 24 hours. No-one was well-prepared for Ben Nevis after 10 hours in a minibus but at 6.30pm the Pembroke party set off to scale the largest mountain in the UK. By lam all the party were enjoying a hearty meal in Glencoe. A drive through the night saw Wasdale Head at 8am with battered knees making the 24hr target look unlikely. Knee injuries forced 2 of the party to stop climbing early on Snowdon but the remaining members survived to crack open a few bottles of champagne. All were back at work by Monday morning, a slight limp being the only evidence of a tough 27 hours! Many thanks to the old members and the Black Sheep Brewery for making the challenge possible.
In 1993, Mark returned to Jamaica to assist in running the family coffee farm, breathing new ideas and critical analysis into the methodology of farming. Dramatic increases in the yield and quality produced resulted in the Coffee Industry Board approving a licence to the Old Tavern Estate to process and export its finished green and roasted coffee. Soon after his return, Mark met MaryAnn Rickman and they married in 1995. Their first child was born not long after Mark's death. Duncan Tincello ('81) is coordinating the Chapel service and hopes to arrange refreshments to be served afterwards in College to the many who have so far indicated that they plan to attend. If you would like to attend the service, please contact Duncan at home on -
01242 515433
- Diary Dates Tuesday 18 November 7.30pm
City Group Dinner Reform Club, Pall Mall. A small number of places are still available
Thursday 4 December Time to be confirmed
Pembroke Christmas Concert An evening of music presented by the choirs of Pembroke & Lincoln College, Oxford First half - Gloria by A. Vivaldi Second half - A programme of Christmas music To be followed by seasonal refreshments. To reserve a place, please contact the Development Office
Thursday 19 March 7.30pm
Pembroke Law Dinner Venue to he confirmed
Friday 17 April
Inter-Collegiate Golf Day Frilford Heath Golf Club. Further details will appear in the January issue of The Pembrokian
Saturday 16 May Time to be confirmed
Annual Blackstone Lecture To be delivered by Lord Nolan For further details contact Dr Eekelaar - 01865 276429
Saturday 30 May
College Garden Party
Pembroke Profile -
Ken Mayhew - Fellow in Economics Ken Mayhew came to Pembroke as Fellow in Economics in 1976. He has been Director and Associate Editor of the Oxford Review of Economic Policy since 1985, and is also an Editor of Oxford Economic Papers. In conjunction with a number of prestigious US Colleges and Universities, Ken devised the Visiting Student Scheme at Pembroke which is proving to be both an' academic and a financial success for the College. Educated at Worcester College - where he read History - and the London School of Economics, Ken started his working life in the Treasury and after short period on a United Nations project, he joined the staff of the Oxford Institute of Economics and Statistics. Since taking his Fellowship at Pembroke, Ken has enjoyed periods away from College working for Cornell University, the Confederation of British Industry and most recently as Economic Director of the National Economic Development Office. Working as a consultant for a number of public and private organisations, Ken has advised the Polish government and as acted as a reviewer for a US Congress project. His research interests have spanned a wide range of economic areas, but over the last few years have been focused on education and training. In October '98, he will become the first Director of a new ESRC Research Centre on Knowledge Skills and Organisation Performance, based at two centres - Oxford and Warwick Business School. During the past twelve months, a combination of research work and the demands of the Century 5 Campaign have found Ken in Australia and Japan - details of which will appear in the January issue of The Pembrokian.
Pembroke College Christmas Card 1997
A5 Size 45.50 per pack of 10 cards (incLUK P&P) For orders outside the EU, please add ÂŁ1.50 per pack to cover additional postage charges Please note that all proceeds from the sale of the 1997 Pembroke College Christmas Card will go towards the renovation of the College buildings. Please return this order form together with a cheque made payable to Pembroke College, Oxford' to The Development Office, Pembroke College, Oxford. OX1 1DW
Pembroke College Christmas Card 1997 - Order Form Name Address Postcode I wish to purchase
packs.
I enclose a cheque for ÂŁ