THE BIANNUAL PUBLICATION OF ST CUTHBERT’S SOCIETY
ISSUE NO. 5 EPIPHANY 2017
CUTHBERT’S CHRONICLE
Welcome
Contents
Welcome to the latest edition of the Cuthbert’s Chronicle, our biannual alumni magazine.
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JCR News
For this edition, we have expanded to include more news and events from the alumni community, a double-spread report from the Boat Club, and a new update from the Senior Common Room. The Alumni Association has been busier than ever with lots of alumni events planned through the 2016-17 year. Turn to the back pages for a list of this year’s events.
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St Cuthbert’s Society Boat
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Alumni Association
Two years ago, we set up our very own Cuth’s Careers Angels scheme. The aim of the scheme was for recent graduates and members of our alumni community to provide advice and guidance to current students on any aspect of the job application process, from pointing them towards an appropriate internship, volunteer, or graduate scheme, through knowing which companies and businesses were hiring, to the do's and don't's of interviews and CV writing. We asked alumni not for formal careers guidance, the kind you might expect from a professional service, but to think about the kind of things they wished they'd known when they were applying for their first graduate jobs. Rather than kicking the ladder away once you've got your degree, the idea is to lend a helping hand to those just starting the climb.
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Alumni achievements
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Feature article
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Cuth’s Careers Angels
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SCR
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Supporting Cuth’s
Two years later, I am happy to report that the number of alumni who have generously volunteered their time and expertise is steadily increasing, as are the number of students utilising the scheme. My aim this year is to make sure that these numbers continue to rise and to develop ways in which the scheme can not only benefit students, but also the alumni community as a whole. And that is why I believe the Careers Angels scheme is about more than numbers: it facilitates a tangible link between the alumni community and current students, a way in which the alumni community can engage and interact with the JCR that goes beyond gifts and donations.
Harry Lewendon-Evans Alumni Development Officer
St Cuthbert’s Society News
Club
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Cuthbert’s Chronicle | Epiphany 2017 | Issue No. 5
A message from the Principal
We marked the end of 2016 with not one but three Christmas Formals... ...the Society is now so large that we can only accommodate 10% of the student body in the dining hall, and all three were heavily over-subscribed. Guests at High Table all remarked on the wonderful atmosphere, not least when we ended the formal part of the occasion with a rousing if not always tuneful rendering of ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’, with each singing a verse.
Each Michaelmas term, Cuth’s hosts a visiting scholar from the Institute of Advanced Study. From October through to December, we were joined by Professor Massimo Leone. Based at the University of Turin in Italy, where he is Professor of Semiotics, Cultural Semiotics, and Visual Semiotics, Massimo focuses on the study of the visual and cultural embodiments of law, justice, and religion. Drawing on a wealth of knowledge that extends from classical antiquity to the contemporary modern world, Massimo has published widely on the application of semiotics to
Among the appreciative guests was our Institute of Advanced Study Visiting Fellow, Prof. Massimo Leone of Turin University, who has played a full part in Cuth’s life, eating with the freshers, chatting in the bar, speaking on a wide range of topics, and dancing at the Silent Disco. International visitors are very enriching for us all. In January American journalist Ted Gup, our last IAS Fellow, returns as Writer in Residence for six months; he enjoyed Cuth’s as much as we enjoyed him. The Annual Fellows’ Lecture was given in November by Lord (Charlie) Falconer, barrister and Labour politician, on ‘The Future of Politics’, followed by a lively question period. Political, social and ethical questions are discussed in our Difficult Dialogues series, led by our new Lay Chaplain, Dr Charlie Pemberton; and the Postgraduate Committee continues to
organize excellent evenings of talks on research. Our Remembrance Day commemoration took place in the garden as usual (in pouring rain); we were delighted that among the readers were Albert Hodgson (1952-6) representing the alumni, and our two current Military Scholars, Stephanie Atkinson and Matt Abbott. We are proud that our current JCR President, Megan Croll, chairs the committee of her peers, PresComm. At this time of substantial change in the University, with new colleges and buildings planned, and student numbers set to expand, it’s very important that student views are well represented. Clubs and societies flourish in Cuth’s; more are added each year, showcasing the energy and enthusiasm of our wonderful students.
Professor Elizabeth Archibald
Scales, Justice, and the Weight of the Soul society and culture, with recent work focusing on issues of oppression, propaganda, and ideology. In November, Massimo delivered his IAS Lecture in the Dining Hall of 12 South Bailey, speaking on ‘Weight Problems: An Enquiry into Scales and Justice’. This lecture provided an encyclopaedic narrative of the cultural and visual history concerning the measurement and weighing of the soul. Beginning in antiquity in Ancient Egypt, where it was associated with the soul’s judgement before entering the afterlife, and finishing in the medieval period with the emergence of Christendom, Massimo charted the transition and shift in the ideological
implications of this notion. Massimo has also contributed to our ‘Difficult Dialogues’ series on violence and religion, as well as our postgraduate research forum and reading group. It has been a pleasure to host Massimo and we wish him all the best for his future research. We hope to see him back at 12 South Bailey soon.
News
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The Future of Politics On Friday 11th November, we were delighted to welcome Lord (Charlie) Falconer — Labour peer and former Lord Chancellor in Tony Blair’s government — to Durham to present the Annual Fellows’ Lecture. Lord Falconer chose as the topic of his lecture ‘The Future of Politics’. He presented a clear, methodical, and insightful analysis of the current decisions faced by the UK in the light of the EU Referendum. Although his talk carefully highlighted a number of key issues that face the country in the coming months and years, his lecture was interwoven with illuminating and witty anecdotes from his time in government. The Q & A session was particularly inspiring, in which he encouraged students to get involved in politics if they wanted to make a difference.
Photo credit: Thomas Banks
The public lecture was well attended by people from all across County Durham, including sixth-form pupils from local schools, the Mayor and Mayoress, the Chief Constable Mike Barton, along with our own students and SCR members.
Photo credit: Thomas Banks
A recording of the lecture is now available on our website: https://www.durham.ac.uk/st-cuthberts.society/ eventspage/lectures/
Dining Hall given new lease of light Thanks to the generous donations of our alumni community, the Dining Hall at 12 South Bailey has been given a much needed refurbishment. With a brand new lighting system that is better suited to lectures and student productions, as well as new tables and seating, the Hall is now looking better than ever.
Find out about other ways in which you can support Cuth’s by visiting our website: https://www.durham.ac.uk/stcuthberts.society/alumni/ Photo credit: Peter Reid
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Cuthbert’s Chronicle | Epiphany 2017 | Issue No. 5
Cuth’s JCR now a Charitable Incorporated Organisation
Cuth’s JCR has turned a corner, as it now has fully incorporated charitable status. JCR President Megan Croll takes us through her plans for the year. As a charity, the JCR now benefits from the insight and management from our new trustee board. Towards the end of the last academic year interviews were conducted with prospective trustees, from which four external trustees were
The postgraduate community at Cuth’s continues to flourish. JCR Postgraduate Rep Sarah Sheehy looks back at a busy Michaelmas term. The postgraduate community is going from strength to strength, with more involvement, more events, and more activities taking place throughout the term. We began the year with the postgraduate Welcome Week, organised by the PG committee and running in parallel with Freshers’ Week. This included the first ever Welcome Formal for new postgraduate students. Through the term, we have hosted
selected. Between the successful applicants, they have backgrounds in the legal, financial, charitable, and education sectors. I would like to thank the previous JCR President, Rich Root, for the advice and information that he gave me during this process, which meant that I could begin working on my plans for the year immediately, as well as continue his work on the charitable status. Rich introduced frequent online surveys to collect feedback from members of the JCR last year. The last survey he ran was to ask for comments on both gyms. Since the survey, new equipment has been installed and our Gym Manager arranged for it to be Health and Safety checked by staff from Team Durham. I hope to continue using these surveys to gauge
academic events, which continue to challenge and inspire. Our research fora, which this term featured fascinating presentations on the uses of metaphor, as well as a talk on the experience of ecstasy, always involve lively discussion. Our reading group this term was chaired by the IAS Fellow Massimo Leone and discussed an unpublished article of his on silence and propaganda. We have also organised several trips during the term, including one to Cragside, the first house in the world to be lit by hydroelectric power, as well as a visit to the beautiful town of Richmond in North Yorkshire, where we explored the scenic ruins of Easby Abbey.
opinions outside of JCR meetings in the future, including on topics such as how Freshers' Week could be improved, how best to communicate with students to ensure they receive all relevant information, and how to improve social space around college. Our Sports and Societies continue to be successful. In our recent elections, the new roles of JCR Sports and Societies Reporters were made available, to increase publicity for our Sports and Societies whilst also providing journalistic experience for our students. An aim for this year is to increase the engagement of recent alumni with our Sports and Societies, so that even having left Cuth's, they will come back to visit teammates and friends made through Societies.
The heart of the postgraduate community is the committee, which helps to organise and run the events, and I am pleased to report that we have elected five new members this term, who are keen to build and develop the community. We look forward to an exciting 2017.
JCR
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JCR News Sports St. Cuthbert's Society has been enjoying success in the college sport fixtures, with Netball teams boasting an almost unbeaten run this term for all three teams, tarnished by only one unfortunate loss.
The JCR Social Committee at the Michaelmas Ball
Michaelmas Ball
Both Men's and Women's basketball are doing well with women's now gaining ground and recruiting new players, coming a long way since the beginning of term. Men's basketball secured a promotion after finishing this season unbeaten.
The jewel in the Michaelmas term is the Michaelmas Ball, organised each year by the JCR Social Committee (pictured above), who did not fail to disappoint this time round. This year, the Ball was held at Ramside Hall, just outside Durham, and featured the allimportant retinue of fairground rides, bands, and DJs.
Societies The creative juices are flowing in Cuth’s in Michaelmas term with the (almost) brand new Karaoke Society hosting a great first night a few weeks into the term. Art Society have been displaying their artistic talents through both attending and running a series of workshops, on crushed glass work,
Cuth’s Men’s Rugby have been raising money for the Weardale and Teeside Search and Mountain Rescue Team, who perform a vital service in the area, by taking part in ‘Movember’. At the time of writing, the team have done an excellent job and nearly hit their target of £430.00.
pottery, and life drawing. Photography Society collaborated with the JCR Welfare Committee, in particular Female Welfare Officer, Catriona May, on their ‘Self-Love’ campaign, the aim of which was to highlight the importance of respecting and having confidence in yourself, and this culminated in an inspiring exhibition in December held down at Brooks House. With over one hundred people in attendance, the evening was a spectacular success. For this year’s infamous Christmas panto, Drama Society pulled out all the stops to deliver us their version of ’Robin Hood’. Adapted for Cuth’s Dining Hall by Drama Society President Jean-Sebastien Connell the weekend performances were lively to say the least!
Freshers making their way back to Cuth’s after Matriculation
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Cuthbert’s Chronicle | Epiphany 2017 | Issue No. 5
St Cuthbert’s Society Boat Club has had a busy, but rewarding, first term. Captain of Boats, Alistair Stewart, gives us the round up. The Boat Club continues to be a key part of many students’ time in the Cuth’s. This year saw a strong intake of new students eager to learn what rowing is all about. The conditions on the Wear have meant that they are progressing nicely with their first race soon approaching. The seniors meanwhile have been busy training and preparing for the big races ahead next term, especially WeHoRR and HoRR. As part of this training, they have entered races including Durham SBH, York SBH and Rutherford Head to gain vital race experience. The highlights of the term include a Nov 4+ winning Durham SBH and the Women’s Squad winning the Team Relay Event at NEIRC beating Hatfield and Aidan’s among others. The biggest race of the term was Rutherford Head where the club had four boats entered – an IM2.8+, a Nov 4+, a W.IM3.8 and a W.Nov8+.
Photo credit: Al Johnston
Photo credit: Darcy Brough-Mylod
News from the Boat Club All crews performed strongly with the IM2.8+ being the second fastest college behind a strong Hild Bede crew, the Nov 4+ coming 5th out of 10 in their category despite a seat breaking halfway through the race, the W.IM3.8 beating Collingwood, Hatfield and Van Mildert coming 11th out of 15 in their category and the W.Nov8+ coming 6th in their category beating Aberdeen and UCL. Despite the hard work, there has still been plenty of time for socials with highlights including a baking competition and a social in the boathouse. The biggest social of first term is still to come in the form of the Boat Club Nativity which promises to be a fantastic event.
Rutherford Head Rutherford Head took place on the Tyne on Saturday 26th November and is considered the ‘big race’ of the first term. The senior squads went to the day full of confidence and their previous hard work paid off with strong performances across the board. The Men’s IM2.8+ came 26th overall out of 120 boats in the 1st division and 8th overall in their category with a time of 15:27.1. This made them the second fastest college losing out to a very strong Hild Bede crew. The W.IM3.8+ came 11th of 15 in their category with a time of 20:01.7 beating Collingwood, Hatfield, Van Mildert and Mary’s despite a last minute sub from Grey due to an illness in the boat. The W.Nov 8+ came 6th in their category beating Aberdeen University and UCL with a time of 22:26.2. The performance of the day, however, must go to the Nov 4+ , who despite having a seat break midway through the race showed true Cuth’s spirit, managing to still come 5th out of 10th in their category beating three Edinburgh University crews and a Glasgow University crew with a respectable time of 21:59.0.
Boat Club
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Boat Club Alumni Network Outside of the rowing bubble, the club is currently building a new and improved alumni network. As such we would love your help: if you have any photos/stories you are happy to share on the website, send the club an email at cuthberts.boatclub@durham.ac.uk
Novice Cup Novice Cup took place on the 3rd and 4th of December and provided an opportunity for the novices to compete against other novices from the other colleges, all of whom only started to row at the start of the term. This year's event, organised by Durham College Rowing (DCR), underwent a new format compared to previous years, including a time trial in which crews had to perform an emergency stop followed by a 360 spin before the finish line on the 3rd. The results of this time trial produced the draw for the typical regatta on the next day.
The focus however has started to move towards next term where all the squads will be working hard in preparation of the big races that lie ahead: WeHoRR and HoRR.
We are particularly interested in finding out what an alumni network within the club would mean to you and what you would want to get out of it. This will allow us to cater to your needs as we begin to build up the network.
The novices meanwhile will be focusing on continuing to hone their technique and hopefully get as much race experience as possible in preparation for the regatta season in the third term.
Cuth's entered eight boats in total - four from the Novice Men and four from the Novice Women. The event was highly Photo credit: Al Johnston enjoyed by all crews that entered with good performances overall, despite some crews catching multiple crabs - a regular occurrence throughout both days as is expected from Novice Cup. While all our crews performed well, the stand out performance for the two days goes to a Novice Men's Crew consisting of Raoul Kumrai-Woodruff, Brad Parkinson, James Lancaster and Josh Baxter coxed by Kajwan Rasul who completed the time trail in 03:57.0 coming 2 out of 44 crews on the 3rd, and then matched this performance on the 4th making it to the final.
Photo credit: Keith Jones (1964-7)
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Cuthbert’s Chronicle | Epiphany 2017 | Issue No. 5
St Cuthbert’s Alumni Association attend Rio 2016 (see page XX) and to contribute to the website hosting of cuths.com.
The Alumni Association continues to play a central role to the activities and development of the Society. The Chair, Richard Peralta, talks about the past year and upcoming plans The 2016 annual calendar included a wider range of activities than we have had for the last 10-15 years, and we have plans to increase the depth and breadth of our activities. The calendar includes a number of core ‘standing’ events—those we plan to run around important dates on an annual basis—as well as a number of ad hoc events that we hope will grow and spread across year groups, geographies and personal interests.
September saw the Annual Alumni Reunion Weekend in Durham. Attendees spent the weekend back in and around 12 South Bailey, including drinks, a fabulous formal dinner and Association AGM. It was a thoroughly enjoyable weekend with old and new faces, and an extremely productive discussion of the Association’s aims and purpose. Photo of the weekend goes to the Presidents photo at the bottom of this page which shows six past Presidents from Colin Colclough (194852) to Megan Croll (2016-17). Back in London, the Founders’ Dinner in October marked the 128th anniversary of the Society, and 70th of the Refounding, with a three course dinner and wine. We held a very lucrative and hilarious auction of some vintage Cuth’s clothing, including a contender for the best Cuth’s Day stash ever—a 2005 sleeveless vest top bought for £35. In total, we raised £288 for the Ranald Michie Prize—an award from the Alumni Association given annually to a Cuth’s student for
outstanding performance in the first year. This year the winner was Hitham Hassan, who founded the Arabic Society, was a Freshers' Rep, and constantly volunteered to participate in whatever ways he could. It is a richly deserved award - congratulations Hitham. Last but not least, December has seen the second edition of a global series of events for #CuthsChristmas during Advent. Despite best efforts we were unable to finalise proposed events in Hong Kong or Dubai; but we were thrilled to have new events in Manchester and Cambridge in addition to the events in London and Durham. There are some fabulous photos on the website, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram; please do have a look at them all. If you were in attendance, please upload and hashtag with #CuthsChristmas! You can see photos from some of this year’s events on the page opposite which advertises the 2017 events. You can also visit www.cuths.org or add us on social media (details at the back of this publication).
2016 events In addition to the inaugural St Cuthbert’s Day lunch which we covered in the last Chronicle, the summer also saw the first ever Graduation Anniversary Drinks in London where 30 attendees celebrated the anniversaries of their graduation day. The most recent 2016 graduate had congregated the day before the event (!), whilst the most experienced had graduated in 1967. We raised £75 for Gemma Collis ‘ bid to
JCR Presidents through the ages: Rich Root, Richard Peralta, Megan Croll, Colin Colclough, Chip Skagerlind, Mark Rowland
2017 Events We have already booked in a number of events for 2017 and hope to see you at one or many of these. If you’d like to help organise an event, especially in new locations or as year group reunions, we would be thrilled to facilitate and publicise as you require.
Alumni Meet and Greet in Bristol Thursday 2 March, 6:30pm, Cosy Club, Bristol Our first regional event in the South West will be an after-work meet and greet for Cuth’s alumni based in and around Bristol.
St Cuthbert’s Day Lunch Saturday 18 March, 1pm. Venue to be confirmed The second year we will be running the lunch, to celebrate our saint’s day. A three course lunch in central London for only £37.50 (£34 for graduates since Jan 1st 2012)
Cuth’s Day Saturday 17 June, 12 South Bailey, Durham The annual garden party and music festival hosted by the JCR. Price to be published by JCR.
Alumni Reunion Weekend Friday 7 July—Sunday 9 July, 12 South Bailey, Durham The flagship event of the year where we get lots of homesick Cuthspeople back up to 12 South Bailey for a weekend of fun. The July date this year should hopefully be greeted by clement weather! Prices vary according to accommodation and meal choices.
Founders’ Dinner Saturday 28 October, London A big three-course dinner in London to celebrate the founding of the Society in 1888. This is fast becoming a highlight of the social calendar and is only £50 (£45 for recent graduates). This year the dinner will be preceded by the Alumni Association’s AGM; the first time it has been held in London in recent memory (maybe ever).
#CuthsChristmas—2017 edition Throughout December @ Global locations
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Cuthbert’s Chronicle | Epiphany 2017 | Issue No. 5
Alumni achievements Ruth Charles (Community and Youth Work 2004-7) successfully completed the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, in August. The race is carried out in eight legs of racing, each covering 40,000 miles and takes a gruelling 11-months.
Zoe Chiverton (English Lit. 20003) was ‘highly commended’ at a recent awards ceremony celebrating ‘best in class’ in internal communications worldwide. Zoe, who joined the Priory Group as Internal Communications Manager two years ago, was among five people shortlisted in the prestigious ‘The Internal Communicator of the Year’ category.
Guy Halford-Thompson (Engineering, 2006-10) has been named one of BC Business Magazine’s 30 under 30 winners, a prestigious award recognizing the top 30 emerging business leaders in British Columbia.
Adam Muckle (Classics, 20025) became President of The Tutor’s Association, which provides recognition and representation of tutors based in the UK.
The Ranald Michie Prize
(Above) Zoe Chiverton at CEB awards ceremony; (below) Ruth Charles sailing off from London.
Gemma Collis Rio 2016
Awarded annually by the Alumni Association for outstanding contribution to the Society by a first-year student, the prize went to Hitham Hassan for his
Gemma represented
efforts in setting up Cuth's Arabic Society last year.
Team GB at the Paralympics in Rio in
‘Cuth’s Arabic Society is a student society within Cuth’s dedicated to the teaching of basic conversational Arabic to all who are interested.
September, making it to the quarter finals in wheelchair fencing. After being diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain
I started the society to share my passion for the Arabic language and give something back to our incredibly dedicated JCR - many members of which expressed interest in learning basic Arabic to me during Freshers’ Week. The main aim of the society is to meet four times a term to learn and discuss the Arabic language often while consuming a variety of different snacks (some of which are Arabic in origin)!’
Syndrome, a progressive nervous system disease that affects nerve function in her right leg, she started playing wheelchair basketball, and then, whilst at Durham (and Cuth’s), she tried wheelchair fencing – which she loved – and was talent spotted by Team GB. The Alumni Association are happy to have contributed in the smallest way by contributing to her fundraising efforts to get her to Rio, and are hoping for a third Olympics at Tokyo 2020 !
Feature
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Where are they now? Johnny Luk (2009 - 2012) read Natural Sciences while at Cuth's. After joining the Fast Stream in the Civil Service, he was appointed the CEO of the National Association of College and University Entrepreneurs (NACUE). Here he reflects on his time at NACUE and what he has learned during his time there. One rainy Tuesday morning, while I was typing away on my laptop, I suddenly received a phone call. ‘You are going to have to sit down for this one’ came the tinny voice. ‘Congratulations – you are now the CEO.’ Oh dear. On June 2014, just two years after leaving Durham University, I somehow talked myself into running a million pound national enterprise education
charity called NACUE, with over twenty experienced staff in central London. The National Association of College and University Entrepreneurs (NACUE) is a non-profit that aims to power the enterprising generation. NACUE strengthens the community, through its hundreds enterprise societies and groups in universities and colleges across England, connects them through our pitching events, conferences and leader summits (over 5,000 student attended our events over two years). NACUE advocates to the highest level in government and corporations about the importance of enterprise education to young people. Needless to say, the coming months and years were like a rollercoaster. On the face of it, life was rosy; I was attending fancy events, gave lots of talks and even spoke to the Prime Minister. The reality of running an organisation can be quite different. I had a lot to deal with; for example, managing people with big personalities is not easy, especially when all the responsibility and decision making come back to you. I
had to constantly deal with cash flow, in other words, desperately trying to raise money and close deals. I had to stay positive in the face of disappointments, organise huge events with little time or budget and use our social media reach to influence policy. I even moved offices three times to get a better deal on office rent. All the while I had to ask myself – am I in a dream? Do I know what I am talking about? Isn’t this just crazy? It took half a year just to adjust to this new world of having a team working for you. It’s not that we always had crazy hours (although we did on occasion), it was that it’s impossible to truly, completely switch off. Aside from some Board meetings, no one ever told me what to do on a day-to-day level. This is both liberating and scary. I had no system to follow and I quickly learned that management skills did not come from a management book. They come from living it day to day.
Johnny is now the Head of Policy and Projects in the Digital Economy Unit in the UK Government. He also volunteers his time as a Cuth’s Careers Angel.
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Cuthbert’s Chronicle | Epiphany 2017 | Issue No. 5
uth’s areers Angels Launched in 2015, the Cuth’s Careers Angels is a scheme in which alumni are asked to provide help, advice and guidance to current students. Are there things you wish you had known when you set out into the world of work? Do you wish there had been someone to ask about a particular career?
We recognise that our alumni are diverse, ambitious, and successful, with expertise in just about every area. Through the Careers Angels scheme, we hope that current students can benefit from this experience. In this section, two of our alumni angels share their experiences and lessons from the working world: Johnny Luk, on the advice he would give his younger self, and Cressida Peever on working in the fundraising and culture sectors.
‘Here’s what I learned…’ think this applies to non-business life too.
2. Experience and competence don’t always match. 1. It’s all about speed The difference in pace between working in a small company and a big company is immense. Smaller organisations can punch above their weight by making fast decisions, minimising pointless meetings and following the pattern of trying, failing and adjusting. I had to move away from the habit of writing up lots of pointless business cases or presentations – to just getting on with executing projects. I
We are taught in our education system to be deferential to seniors, (which is why I like how Cuth’s JCR continues to stand up for its independence) but the truth is you have to be confident with your decisions, even if it means overruling very senior and well-meaning people. You are just as smart as them – stay confident.
3. Do not take life too seriously Being emotionally attached to every decision-making process, or getting worked up on a make or break proposal,
is mentally and physically exhausting. Take the long view. Over time I mellowed and became a better leader because of even if it goes wrong, in the big scheme of things it doesn’t matter. It’s all about balance and having a life outside of the bubble helps.
4. People come first Surround yourself with the best, kindest and brightest and life becomes better, both at work and personally. The feeling of having a well-oiled team is incredible, and they allow you to multiply your outputs. I had the opportunity to run a company despite limited training and relying on my wits. Life outside the university bubble may seem scary, but university and college life emulates the working world closely, like running societies or events. If I, a pretty average student can do it, so can anyone.
Cuth’s Careers Angels
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Fundraising for the National Theatre Cressida Peever (2011-2014), alumna and former Development Officer for Cuth’s, tells us about her new role at the National Theatre. She explains why there is more than one way to do what you love. Fundraising is a great way to have an alternative career in the arts. I’ve always loved theatre and wanted to be involved with it somehow, despite knowing that performing was not the right route for me. So working in the Development Office at the NT means I can be in a creative environment that I thoroughly enjoy, whilst being involved in an organisation that’s incredibly important to me. My role involves encouraging individuals, as opposed to Corporates, or Trusts and Foundations, to support the National Theatre either through a membership or gift to a particular area of the NT. This might be an upcoming production; our New Work Department, where we help emerging artists to develop their material; our Learning Department, which gives people of all ages the chance to discover new skills and experience theatre; or a multitude of other projects. This gives me the privileged position of working closely with departments across the organisation to ensure that I have up
to date information and a compelling proposal when speaking to potential supporters. And speaking to these supporters is such fun: the people I meet have fascinating and varied careers and experiences that are always intriguing to discuss. I’m always prepared for the conversation to take me anywhere!
There’s never a dull moment, and no two weeks are ever the same I also work regularly on events to thank our supporters, which range from intimate dinners with cast and creatives, to immersive activities for families with young children. There’s never a dull moment, and no two weeks are ever the same. For example, this week I’ll be interviewing the NT’s Director, Rufus Norris, about creating a Brexit-inspired play, My Country, for our members’ magazine. And (best of all) I get to see all of the shows! When I tell people what I do, lots of people have the misconception that I’m a
cold-caller, or that there’s something wrong with asking people for money. On the contrary, I only ever ask for support from people who have shown a passion for the NT’s work already, and we discuss philanthropy for an extended period in order to find the perfect area of support for them. This means that those who do choose to support us have had time to decide whether it’s right for them, and to fully understand our mission and values. It’s also very important to me that I believe in the impact that their money will have – it makes asking for money easier and removes any awkwardness. Whilst I’m not the famous face on the posters bringing in our audiences, I do feel that I’m contributing significantly to the organisation by ensuring we have enough money to keep producing such fantastic work. It’s also a brilliant way to learn about all areas of theatre, in case later in my career I want to transition into another area within it. I’d certainly recommend Development to anyone who wants a career in the arts.
If you are interested in becoming a Cuth’s Careers Angel, please sign-up here: https://www.durham.ac.uk/st-cuthberts.society/alumni/careersnetwork/ If you would like to find out more, please contact cuthberts.alumnirelations@durham.ac.uk
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Cuthbert’s Chronicle | Epiphany 2017 | Issue No. 5
Senior Common Room Cuth’s Senior Common Room is made up of academic and professional staff, members of the local community, and alumni. SCR President Dr Mark Miller reflects on the year so far. team for the JCR to beat each summer. As all Durham students and alumni know, the college system enriches our lives by providing a self-contained community that cuts across the full range of academic subjects. This intermingling is just as valuable for members of the Senior Common Room as it is for students. SCR members include academic and administrative staff from almost all departments of the University, as well as local alumni and members of the broader community who contribute to the activities of the Society. I joined the academic staff in the
Chemistry Department in 2013, became a member of Cuth's within my first week in Durham, and have had the privilege of being SCR President since January 2015. There are many wonderful experiences that come with this role and my favourites all involve combining different sections of the Cuth's universe: getting out of my depth at postgraduate research forums in unfamiliar subjects, sharing in alumni's affection for Cuth's at reunion dinners, systematically assessing the ales from a local brewery with the help of both Common Rooms, and even assembling a cricket
Crucially, the majority of events organised by the SCR are also open to members of the JCR and any alumni who happen to be within range. The SCR is becoming ever more integrated into the life of the Society and the distinction between SCR and JCR events is often pleasantly blurred. The SCR is an industrious bunch, and on the next page you can read about three books that have been published by SCR members in 2016. They are all a gripping read, and together they nicely illustrate the diversity of
The back of 12 South Bailey, as the days grow shorter and the shadows grow longer. Photo taken by SCR member and alumnus Peter Reid
SCR
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New publications by SCR members Gary Fildes An Astronomer’s Tale: A Life Under the Stars Penguin Books ‘You don’t need a science degree to enjoy the night sky. Put aside your worries, look up, and feel part of an incredible universe’ Gary Fildes is the founder and lead astronomer of Kielder Public Observatory. In this inspiring and accessible book, Gary shares his life’s enthusiasm for the night sky. Alternating between chapters about his own remarkable journey, from bricklayer to astronomer, and an accessible month by month guide to stargazing for the general reader, it tells a story of a man reconnecting with the wonders of nature, and how we all can too.
Eleanor Rosamund Barraclough Beyond the Northlands: Vikings, Voyages, and the Old Norse Sagas. Oxford University Press
Anthony R. Wells A Tale of Two Navies: Geopolitics, Technology, and Strategy in the United States Navy and the Royal Navy, 1960-2015 US Naval Institute Press
Eleanor Rosamund Barraclough takes her own trip through the dramatic landscapes depicted in the Old Norse sagas. Along the way, she illuminates the rich but often confusing saga accounts with a range of other evidence: archaeological finds, rune-stones, medieval world maps, encyclopaedic manuscripts, and texts from as far away as Byzantium and Baghdad. Cuth's even had a role to play, as Eleanor happily acknowledges: 'I'm really grateful to JCR and SCR members alike for enduring - even encouraging - so many Viking-themed conversations, all of which went towards the writing of this book!'
A Tale of Two Navies is an analysis of the unique relationship between the United States Navy and the Royal Navy from 1960 to present. This loosely chronological study examines the histories, strategies, operations, technology, and intelligence activities of both navies. Bringing his extensive experience in both navies to bear, Cuth’s alumnus Anthony Wells provides a revealing look at the importance of naval thinking — how it impacts not only every level of naval activity, but also national defence as a whole. Throughout, Wells challenges his reader to consider how the U.S. and the U.K. can best collaborate to advance their common strategic interests.
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Cuthbert’s Chronicle | Epiphany 2017 | Issue No. 5
Supporting Cuthbert’s The generosity of our donors allows St Cuthbert’s Society to thrive and flourish. Your support enables us to continue to improve and develop the student experience here at 12 South Bailey. We welcome donations of any size and for any purpose. You can choose whether to donate to one of our campaigns listed below, or if you choose the Annual Fund, to a specific cause or to the Society in general. Should you wish to discuss how you can help, please contact our Alumni Development Officer on cuthberts.alumnirelations@durham.ac.uk
St Cuthbert’s Society Annual Fund St Cuthbert's Society Annual Fund is the account for general donations to St Cuthbert's Society. If you would like to donate then selecting the annual fund allows us to place your money where it will make the biggest impact. You can use this fund for specific purposes, such as supporting your old team, club, or society.
Student Opportunities Fund The Student Opportunities Fund exists to provide support to Cuth’s students in their academic pursuits, such as helping them to fund attendance at conferences, research trips, or fieldwork. We would now like to extend it to final year undergraduates working on dissertations. Such awards enable Cuth’s students to get more from their degrees and maintain our commitment to contributing to the University’s scholarly community.
Legacy Gifts Making a will is a time for reflection about your personal legacy. Including a legacy gift to St Cuthbert’s Society is a celebration of the Society you treasure and the people you have encountered here. Legacy gifts help us to provide a stimulating environment for future generations of Cuth’s students and encourage them to discover, innovate, and influence. There are many ways to support the future of Cuth’s and we will be pleased to assist you in making your decisions about your wishes. If you would like to know more, please contact the Legacies Officer on 0191 3346313 or email lynn.shipley@durham.ac.uk
Get Involved
Come to an event.
Be a representative for your year group and
Stay in Touch Cuth’s Alumni Development Officer, currently Harry Lewendon-Evans, can be reached in a number of ways:
organise a reunion.
Volunteer as a local representative to help us host regional events.
www.facebook.com/CuthbertsAlumni @CuthsAlumni
Become a Careers Angel and support current students.
www.durham.ac.uk/st-cuthberts.society/alumni
Let us know if there is a particular cause which
cuthberts.alumnirelations@durham.ac.uk
you would like us to fundraise for.
Tell us what’s important to you as a Cuth’s alumnus or alumna.
Send us your photos and memories from your time in Durham.
If you’re interested in any of these, please do not hesitate to get in touch using the details to the right.
St Cuthbert’s Association contact details www.facebook/st.cuthberts.association @Cuths www.cuths.org contact@cuths.org