From the Master’s Desk
PROF. ANN MACLARNON
Thanks to our new Development Officer, Keerthi Vasishta, our new year’s resolution Michaelmas 2025 to provide a newsletter on College life twice a year for all our alumni, has been enacted. The new year began as every year in Hatfield with the arrival of new students, and return of many others after a summer away.
Through quickly formed new friendships and rekindling of old, our College community was rapidly back in action. The many alumni among the parents of new Hatfielders emphasised our connectivity over the years. As particular interests and topical issues wax and wane, there is clear continuity in the enthusiasm, creativity and energy which characterise every Hatfield generation. How lucky I have been to join this community. We hope you will enjoy reading about headline events in College, and news from other alumni. Do send us your ideas and comments on this new communication.
Hatfielders in the College’s 102 year. nd
If you have any submissions, please write to: hatfield.trust@durham.ac.uk
FRESHER’S WEEK
We welcomed our newest set of Hatfielders into the College in September 2025.
This year, we have about 300 new students joining the ‘hallowed halls of Hatfield’, fresh-faced and determined to enjoy the coming years ahead. On hand were an excellent team of Undergraduate and Postgraduate ‘FREPs’ or Fresher’s Representatives who did a fantastic job in helping incoming students settle into college life over the course of Fresher’s week.
ALL ONE HATFIELD FORMAL
The first formal of the year was on 17 October 2025, celebrating the college ethos of #AllOneHatfield. High Table was led by Master Ann MacLarnon and guests of the College along with members of the Senior Common Room. Tia Magoon, the JCR Communities Officer read a special Grace for the occasion. Over the course of the dinner, three Ukrainian students Avhusta Rusina, Anastasiia Lukianets and Maria Shuliatska, all personally affected by the war in their home country shared their experiences with the gathering. An excerpt from Avhusta’s short film about her friend Lena who still lives in Ukraine (made for the Hatfield Film Festival 2025) was shown at dinner. th The resilience each of the students find through the college community at Hatfield was also noted by all of them in short reflections, showcasing the #AllOneHatfield ethos.
