NEW PRINCIPAL FOR HOMERTON COLLEGE He started his university career at Cambridge as a Scholar studying English at Clare where he obtained a first, and later taught for several Cambridge colleges. His subsequent career led him to teach in a number of universities, both in the UK and further afield. An expert on American literature, he terms himself a ‘critic and literary historian’. His research ranges from the Puritans to Stephen King. He has written a number of books as well as a novel, published poems and given talks on Radio 3 about his interests.
Professor Geoffrey Ward, currently Vice Principal of Royal Holloway College, University of London, will become Homerton’s next Principal on 1st October, succeeding Dr Kate Pretty who is retiring after more than two decades at the College. Professor Ward is currently Vice Principal for Students and Staff at Royal Holloway where he previously served as Dean of Arts, and Vice Principal for Planning and Resources. Prior to that he was Professor of English and Head of Department at the University of Dundee before taking on the role of Deputy Principal.
Professor Ward said: “I am delighted and honoured to be taking up the role of Principal of Homerton. The College has long been known as a welcoming and supportive environment for study. Working with Fellows, staff and students I aim to build on its traditions as well as the great achievements of recent years to ensure that it is recognised ever more widely as a first-class place for study, teaching and research.” Homerton’s Vice Principal, Professor John Gray, who led the Fellows’ nationwide search for Dr Pretty’s successor, said: “Some extremely distinguished and talented people expressed interest in leading Homerton. In Geoff Ward
we believe we have found someone who combines a deep understanding of research and academic life with significant practical experience of teaching and the challenges of institutional development.” Professor Paul Layzell, the Principal of Royal Holloway, told Varsity, the student newspaper, that he is “wonderful company”, offering “intelligent conversation with a dry sense of humour”. Professor Ward is married to Professor Marion Wynne-Davies and has two sons. Commenting on Dr Pretty’s leadership over the past two decades Professor Gray added: “When I arrived at Homerton back in the early 1990s it was on the brink, unclear about its future in the rapidly changing world of higher education. Twenty years on it is now one of Cambridge University’s largest colleges with a sizeable Fellowship and a great deal of purpose-built accommodation offering some one thousand students a top-notch environment for their studies. As Cambridge’s newest college there is always more to be done but Kate’s successor can be assured of solid foundations. The last two decades have been a remarkable journey led by a truly remarkable woman.”
The Careers Service and today’s employment market: how you can help The employment market facing our departing students this coming year is complex and likely to be very different from the one you may have encountered leaving Homerton College, even a few years ago. Levels of student debt, a global recession and changing demands of employers are not making the transition from study to work an easy one for many of our students. They are
6
Homertonian
having to invest more time making well-researched applications, are expected to offer potential employers a raft of desirable transferable skills and to have secured relevant internships, and yet still manage their time to acquire the all-important 2.1. The University Careers Service helps our students succeed in this transition by
offering advice and guidance at all stages from first year through to recent graduates. Over 40% of first year students now use the Service, compared to a tenth of that ten years ago. And, by the time they graduate, 90% of all students will have attended a Careers Service event, met a Careers Adviser, visited Stuart House and used the website. Although complex, demanding and at times stressful, our students do well