FROM THE LODGE
IN MEMORIAM
Brian Callingham
From the Lodge
In Memoriam
Welcome to this new edition of The Bridge, at the start of what we hope will be a more normal academic year! I hope you and your families are doing well. I am delighted to report that Queens’ has been managing relatively well through this pandemic. Our success in maintaining a healthy environment -- for students, staff and Fellows -- has not come at the cost of less focus on our mission to deliver transformational education and research opportunities to a more diverse and inclusive community. Indeed, we have been able to enhance intellectual opportunities, achieve strong examination results, and enlarge the academic and financial support we offer to our students. None of this would have been possible without your help and guidance, and without the incredible work of so many people here at Queens’. While we take comfort from what was achieved, we are not losing sight of the challenges that the pandemic continues to pose. From the many students feeling greater anxiety and turning to our Health and Wellbeing Services, to the significant shortfall in conference revenue, Covid will go down as one of the biggest external shocks to have hit us during our proud 573 year history. Fellows’ Admission Ceremony Like others, our community has suffered tragic losses and multiple disruptions. Certainly, we were bruised. Yet we emerge stronger having learned from this experience, introduced new practices, and become even more eager to move on our strategic initiatives. We have expanded, in scale and scope, our financial support to students, while also adding to our Fellowship to provide us greater subject depth and a richer set of multi-disciplinary capabilities. Over the summer we welcomed back students and their parents to College for three wonderful graduation “catch-ups.” This was followed by the return of students and a wonderful intake of new students. As individuals and collectively, they bring us creativity, laughter and
aspirations. We have also been able to restart in-person events for our alums and donors, and I eagerly look forward to welcoming many of you back to the College in the months ahead.
Stuart Bridge (1977)
Stavroulla Tsangarides (“Stav”)
The Memorial Service for His Honour Judge Stuart Bridge was held on 1 October. Among the 300 people who attended were Lord Eatwell (1964), Sir Guy Newey (1977), Kate Grange (1994), Richard Mattick (1976), David Armitage (1977), Andrew Darwin (1977), David Watson (1979), Sally Boyle & Karim Khalil (1980), Alex Ohlsson (1988), Simon Hartley (1988), Matthew Radley (1991), Mark Elliott (1993). Tributes were paid by Stuart’s widow, Professor Beverley Glover, and by his colleagues Professor Richard Fentiman and Professor Martin Dixon.
Many generations of staff, Fellows, students and alumni will remember Stav, who died earlier in the year, as the character in the Porters’ Lodge, always welcoming and caring for members of our community.
Stephen Wilkinson (1937)
Roger Michell (1974)
It is with great sadness that we announce that renowned musician Stephen Wilkinson died in August. Stephen had visited the College recently when he was given lunch in the Lodge to celebrate his 100th birthday.
Roger, who died in September, was one of the most talented film directors of his generation, known for Notting Hill, My Cousin Rachel and Blackbird, as well as The Lost Honour of Christopher Jefferies. Roger met the occupant of his old room on a visit to Queens’ a few years ago – Miranda Whitmarsh (2012)
“She always seemed to know everything and everyone, she had a heart of gold and was such a colourful character in every way which is how I will fondly remember her.” – Sandra Pope, PA to the President.
With the pandemic having given us a strong sense of who we are, what we do well and where we need do a lot better, you will be hearing from me later this year about efforts to further strengthen our intellectual community, enhance access and participation, improve our physical and technological infrastructure, streamlining our governance system and, yes, boost our financial resilience. By pursuing these initiatives we will be providing many more transformational academic opportunities in a friendly, diverse and inclusive environment. In closing, allow me please to thank you for the role that you play in this special community. The warmth and support of our alumni and donors, the constructive feedback and guidance, and generous donations have all served as a strong and visible source of encouragement and inspiration for so many at Queens’. Thank you very much. We are deeply grateful. Wishing you and your families health, success and happiness for the months ahead.
Graduation party on Erasmus Lawn 2 THE BRIDGE
Dr Mohamed A. El-Erian
ISSUE 15 | AUTUMN 2021 3
