Development and Alumni Relations Office

Emily Williams, Director of Development and Alumni Relations

This academic year we were happy to move ever closer to resuming our usual Development and Alumni Relations routine after two years of disruption.

Before the start of Michaelmas term in September we ran a very successful Telephone Campaign, during which the efforts of our seven student callers resulted in a remarkable pledged total of £125,505, with an extraordinary 45 per cent participation rate. We were then delighted to welcome almost 100 alumni and friends for the JCCS Annual Dinner, and later in November, over 120 alumni for their 50, 60 and 70 Years On lunches.

In early December, the by-then familiar government instruction to work from home was reissued and we once again became a remote team, with our events and fundraising programmes interrupted until late February.

Following this interlude, we were able to get back on track thanks to the efforts of the team and the enthusiasm of our alumni, and since then have had success with our usual schedule of events – albeit with reduced capacity in some cases. It was particularly wonderful to host the 1496 Society Lunch in May, the Society of St Radegund Dinner at the end of June, and the Donors ’ Garden Party in July having missed these events since 2019. If you came to College for a visit or event this year – thank you. We always enjoy welcoming you back.

Earlier this year the College was host to a Consistory Church Court hearing regarding its application to relocate a memorial to Tobias Rustat from Chapel to a more suitable educational space elsewhere within College. Despite losing the case, especially amidst an abundance of one-sided press coverage painting the College in a poor light, the College remains committed to championing diversity and inclusion in all aspects of its activity. The College is thankful to our alumni community, supportive or otherwise, for their interest in this matter.

Jesus hosted its first ever Giving Day at the end of March, seeking to encourage our alumni to support their College. This new initiative was a resounding success,

The Master with (left to right): Mr Ron Davies, Mr Jan Laubjerg, Mr Max Hadfield and Mr Leigh Collins

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raising funds for undergraduate bursaries, students from underrepresented backgrounds pursuing Master ’ s degrees, and mental health support – amongst other causes to improve the student experience. We were delighted when 370 members of the Jesus College community joined together to pledge a total of over £150,000, including 103 donors who had never given previously. We are incredibly grateful for this outpouring of support for our deserving students.

Last September we were fortunate to recruit an additional Development Assistant, Gracie Breen – who had just graduated with a degree in Geography from Durham University. Not long after, we said goodbye to Alice Holohan who left for an exciting position as Director of Development at Exeter School. Maisy Smyth (2013) returned to her College in December 2021 to take up the vacant Development Officer – Legacies and Stewardship post, and at the end of May we were joined temporarily by Ciara Omo to cover a period of parental leave. The production of the Annual Report now takes place within the Development and Alumni Relations Office, ably managed by the new Editor of Publications, Kate Coghlan.

My fourth year in the role of Director of Development and Alumni Relations continues to be rewarding and it is a pleasure to steward the lifelong relationships our members have with their College. I am grateful to the College for its support of our endeavours, and to the team of Nikki, Ryan, Yulia, Teddy, Gracie, Maisy and Ciara for their dedication this year.

Recognition of Major Benefactors

We were delighted to induct three new Members – Mr Leigh Collins (1967), Mr Max Hadfield (1961) and Mr Jan Laubjerg (1992) – into the Society of St Radegund at a ceremony this June. We were also honoured to induct Mr Ron Davies (1953) into his St Radegund Fellowship in recognition of his outstanding generosity.

Bequests

The College wishes to record its great gratitude for the following bequests received during the year 2021-22:

Mr Albert Parsons (1947); Mr Roger Straker (1955); Dr Cyril Bernstein (1942); Dr Gweneth Gresham; Professor Sir Roger Scruton (1962); Dr Peter Happé; Mr Nicholas Horner (1956); Mr John Rees (1948); Mr John Greenacre (1954). n