The Mildertian 2016

The Mildertian

Vol 3

Van Mildert College

2016

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The Mildertian

Contents 6 | Alumni

Find out how you can stay involved with Van Mildert College as a member of our vibrant alumni community.

23 | University News

Overview of recent University achievements and appointments

33 | Environment

Hear about our latest successes in supporting environmental initiatives and �ind out how you can help.

13 | Research & Scholarship

25 | Sport, 35 | VMC Trust Outreach and Arts Hear about our latest outreach activities, sporting successes and performances.

Information about Van Mildert College Trust, and the work it does promoting College excellence.

19 | College Life

31 | Student Support

Cover | Keep in Touch

Overview of scholarly activity, including College Fellowships, Lectures and Library initiatives.

Find out about life as a mature student, SCR activities and student events at Van Mildert College

Dr Victoria Brown discusses College mentoring and support.

Discover the many ways to keep in touch with the College.

Welcome

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The Principal’s Piece

As I write, it is very much the calm before the storm. The black and gold bunting is up with matching balloons around the Lake, the stage is set, quite literally on Tees Lawn, announcing Mildert Day 2016.

Memories of our 50th Anniversary celebrations last year for the founding of Van Mildert College are receding, but events during the year left a wonderful heritage: who present will ever forget Opera by the Lake, starring our Chancellor Sir Thomas Allen, Mildertian Bridget Tomlinson, the ‘Mildert’ choir and the New Tyneside Orchestra during the VMA Weekend; the launch of our two books on aspects of the history of College; these together with a unique, limited-edition, hand-coloured print of the iconic main building, facing the Lake, by the celebrated Norwegian artist Roar Kjærnstad provide a tangible legacy of College’s middle age. These events were underpinned by many micro-reunions organised by the JCR’s clubs, committees and societies, the MCR Symposium

and the SCR Lecture Series.

Around the estate, the Van Mildert College Trust’s Jubilee Garden is in full bloom, the Mildert Feather rotates gently in the wind, and a new cohort of Moorhen chicks are hidden in the rushes.

It has been another exciting year for College and indeed the University as a whole. During 2015-16 cycle Durham University has featured positively on many of the world rankings for universities, �irmly in the top one hundred for most metrics. This remarkable record brands all our graduates as members of a cutting-edge educational institution with an accelerating international reputation. This is partly due to the top-class academic staff we have in Durham, but also to our remarkable, highly-talented and resourceful students.

On the 1st September 2015, we welcomed a new Vice-Chancellor, Professor Stuart Corbridge. A new Academic Plan and Strategy is almost in place and we can expect

many positive changes, not least an expansion in student numbers, developments on the Science Site and additional colleges in the coming months and years to maintain, and indeed improve, Durham University’s position as a leading, world-class university.

Exciting times ahead!

This year, sport has fared particularly well, with some really great individual and team performances. The Arts have undergone a renaissance with, for example, the College musical Parade held in the Assembly Rooms, another �irst for Van Mildert. More recently, we together with neighbours Collingwood College hosted an exhibition of the works of the celebrated northern artist David Venables, ‘The Miners’ Gala: The Big Meeting’.

The sixth outreach project, speci�ically on the environment, is now well established, complementing the existing �ive covering the areas of supported progression, young offenders, primary schools, caring for carers

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the elderly.

The Mildertian

Our outreach ethos was marked by a lecture by Stephen Robertson, CEO of the Big Issue Foundation and a super showcase event a few weeks ago, with a keynote lecture by Barbara Gubbins of the County Durham Community Foundation. Van Mildert almost swept the boards at the recent Durham University Volunteering awards in Durham Town Hall, presented by the Vice-Chancellor who commented on the great relevance of our College motto to the events of the evening.

This year, Maureen and I have thoroughly enjoyed many College events, the Hallowe’en, Burn’s Night, St. Valentine’s, St Patrick’s Day and Sports’ Formals. The Vice-Chancellor joined us this year for the Principal’s Formal and enthusiastically helped present some of the key awards to a few of the many students that have contributed so much to the College community.

There was a wide variety of great entertainment including plenty of Jazz and the Christmas Pantomime complemented by the Carol Service. Unforgettable too was Mildertian Lord Anthony Hughes’ Van Mildert College Trust Lecture, ‘Culpability and Harm: The ambit of the criminal law’ that many of you attended.

The range of clubs, committees and societies we have allows unequalled opportunities for participation in College life and most of us take advantage of this; the number and frequency of events and our engagement in outreach positions us as one of the most active of all the Durham Colleges and one with a real heart (not for yourselves).

Finally, I would like to thank all Mildertians past and present, staff and students for their great support.

Assistant, Sharon Swainston for organising much of my working day, our Student Support Secretary, Jillian Turnbull, and Martin Brader, who has - with his usual quiet ef�iciency and effectiveness - helped move College forward in so many different ways. Martin is moving on to a postdoctoral position in the Geography Department and I wish him well, not least during his imminent �ield season in Alaska.

Last and certainly not least, Prof.

Brian Tanner, Fellow of Van Mildert College and Chair of College Council, will be retiring later this year. I would like to thank Brian for his strong support, sage advice and of course his enthusiastic engagement in College over many years.

Thank you to my Deputy, Victoria Brown and Assistant Principal, Debs Monk, my Executive

Lewis Martins, JCR President University.

What a wild year it's been for the JCR. As a body of undergraduates, we have pushed the Van Mildert brand further than ever before this year to ensure we are one of the most active student communities in Durham

Outreach has undoubtedly experienced a bumper year. Our new outreach project Environmental Conservation Committee (ECC) has been set up to great effect and already undertaken a variety of projects.

Carer's Respite Committee (CRC) has grown from strength to strength with an increase in their total family base and a new base of operations in Spennymoor

alongside their already successful presence in Horden.

I could think of no greater acknowledgement of our overall success in this area than the recognition we have received from the Durham University Volunteer Awards this term achieving a nomination in all 9 categories. Many thanks to Ruby Cumming, our fabulous Outreach Of�icer, for holding the fort and sustaining our projects for years to come.

Welcome In sports, the JCR has had a vintage year. With the introduction of the Senior Sports and Societies Of�icer on the Exec (this year, the dedicated Marta Ozola), we have managed to sell our brand new Team Mildert to a higher degree. There have been too many victories to note here but a special congratulations to our Team of the Year Men's Hockey! They had a fantastic season, and attracted a 100 strong crowd to their win against Hild Bede in the Floodlit Cup �inal.

Welfare has also undergone a massive rebranding this year. We began with a close partnership with It Happens Here in Freshers' Week, introducing Frep training on sexual violence and fresher

consent talks to better provide information to combat sexual violence. The role of Welfare Of�icer has also now become Vice President (Welfare); Nick Mainwaring will be taking this position forward, with the hope that the new title will give the credit that this valuable role deserves.

Finally, arts has exploded this year into a myriad of diverse projects that compete with the university’s �inest. We have become the �irst college to hold an external musical in the prized central venue of the Assembly Rooms.

'Parade' was a humungous success - selling a load of tickets and achieving standing ovations on both nights. This is an

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achievement to truly be proud of and matched by the stellar run of '1984' in Empty Shop (achieving 5 star reviews across the board).

We have also had an amazing 48 Hour Musical, a searingly acidic pantomime, and a fantastic VM Variety showcase. I am so excited to see Mildert develop in this �ield - thanks to Steph Horrocks and her team for developing this brand beyond all belief.

As I look to departing Mildert for good, I want to thank everyone who has supported me. Thanks to the MCR; the SCR; College Staff; and most importantly, members of the JCR. It's been a total blast.

Richard Bruce, MCR President

2015/16 has been a very busy year indeed for the Middle Common Room, having grown signi�icantly in the new academic year, the MCR continues to represent full- and part-time postgraduates from an enormous variety of backgrounds and academic disciplines.

The MCR has continued to demonstrate its scholarly credentials this year with a number of fascinating Research Seminars which have so far encompassed everything from an

anthropological study of infant sleep safety to an examination of the chemical structure of pharmaceutical solids. These seminars continue to showcase some of the very best and cutting edge research in their �ields being undertaken not just at Van Mildert but nationally, demonstrating the enormous breadth and quality of scholarship which the MCR continues to produce.

Social events this year have also been a particular highlight, both large and small. Small, regular events such as the Livers Out Coffee & Cake and �ilm nights in the MCR continue to have a loyal following, and provide MCR members a much needed opportunity to relax in between their studies.

Two larger events which were particularly popular this year were the Inter-MCR Ceilidh, which saw over 100 postgrads from six colleges in attendance to dance and socialise, and the MCR Christmas party, with �ilms, food and refreshments in the Bankside Room.

The MCR has also continued to attend Inter-MCR Formals across the university, as well as welcoming postgrads from a number of other colleges onto High Table during Van Mildert formals.

Over the summer, the MCR is currently looking forward to a day trip to Alnwick to visit the historic castle, as well as enjoying Jam by the Lake and Mildert Day in June.

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The Mildertian Stuart Wilson, SCR President

It has been a great year for Van Mildert College SCR with a whole host of interesting events and several new developments.

During the previous academic year the SCR committee resolved to support the development of the cultural life of the college by awarding two music scholarships, and one of the �irst and most important events of the new academic year was therefore to select the students who would become the �irst recipients.

All candidates showed clear evidence of musical creativity which, in one case, presented itself in the form of a draft score of a musical documenting the life of Alan Shearer! After much deliberation we made two very well-deserved awards to Gaby Ratner and Dan Haynes and the SCR are grateful to Dr Robin Harrison for his help with this interview and audition process.

Other cultural highlights included a visit to the college by the internationally renowned pianist Alicja Fiderkiewicz. Alicja provided a most enjoyable, early evening recital consisting of works by Chopin and Szymanowski, composers from her polish homeland. The recital was followed by a most enjoyable reception and meal in the

Lakeside Room. As well as being an international level performer, Alicja is also a well-known piano teacher and her skills became evident the next day as she hosted a master class for the college’s student pianists. All enjoyed the opportunity to play for such a thoughtful and highly regarded teacher and were very grateful for her helpful insights into their playing.

Other notable events included Arnold Wolfendale’s fascinating lecture on the life and work of Robert Hooke, and English polymath who, although best known for his work on the properties of springs, made signi�icant contributions to many �ields of study including microscopy, palaeontology and astronomy.

The SCR, in collaboration with Collingwood College, also hosted an exhibition of paintings and drawings by local artist David Venables. David’s work is of immense interest to anyone based in Durham since his work perfectly captures the sights sounds and atmosphere of many of the City, here focussing on one of its major events: The Miners Gala.

The social side of life in the SCR also took a boost this year with the initiation of a number of events including Board Games Evenings, Gin Tasting and the formation of an SCR walking group. The walking group proved incredibly popular, with demand far outstripping the limited

transport capacity offered by the college’s minibus.

Outings have been mainly focussed on the North Pennines with very successful trips to Weardale, although Queen’s Campus staff were pleased to see a foray into Yorkshire to ascend Roseberry Topping, one of Cleveland’s most iconic landmarks. These events have been greatly enhanced by information on the local geology and by most enjoyable post walk lunches.

The year has also seen a series of very enjoyable college dinners and the ever popular Burns Night Formal was joined by an evening to commemorate St Patrick’s Day in the traditional Irish style.

The Easter Term SCR Dinner was, as ever, held whilst the student population settled down to their exams. This year’s dinner was preceded by a talk presented by Stephen Burrell & Hannah Bowes entitled ‘How we can tackle sexual violence on University Campuses’. This interesting, and highly topical talk stimulated much discussion and made for a highly memorable evening.

Members of the SCR also attended the University’s “Inter SCR Formal Dinner” in the Great Hall of the Castle.

All in all a great year for the SCR and we are all looking forward to next year’s events!

Alumni Leaving Durham marks the beginning of your lifelong membership of our vibrant alumni community, with many opportunities for remaining engaged with College.

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The Mildertian

VM50 Reunion Weekend

Founded in 1965, Van Mildert College celebrated its 50th Anniversary in 2015. The milestone provided a unique opportunity to commemorate and celebrate the life and development of the College, as well as its vibrant, diverse and inclusive communities.

Our largest celebratory event, the Van Mildert College Golden Jubilee Reunion Weekend, took place in Durham in July, where over 400 alumni and friends of the College were welcomed back to Mildert.

The Reunion Weekend included representatives from the founder members, as well as recent graduates, providing a fantastic opportunity to share memories and re�lections of the College.

Celebratory events were organised over the Reunion Weekend, which took place on 10-12 July 2015.

The celebrations began with a Champagne and Sparkling Wine Tasting in the Lakeside Room, hosted by Van Mildert College Trust Trustee, Abbie Bennington.

Alumni were able to sample a selection of wines whilst being guided through the key tasting notes.

Following the Tasting, a large number of alumni enjoyed a Hot Fork Buffet in the Ann Dobson Hall, providing an opportunity to relax and reconnect with fellow alumni before the informal evening celebrations commenced.

On Saturday, we were treated to a unique event - Opera by the Lake with Sir Thomas Allen - which was held in the magni�icent Ann Dobson Hall. Organised by the Chair of College Council, Professor Brian Tanner, the event was attended by over 200 alumni and friends of the College. Further information about the event can be found on Pages 10 and 11 of this magazine.

Alumni then gathered on Tees Lawn for the Reunion Photograph, which was followed by Cream Tea in the Ustinov Room, which was attended by the orchestra, chorus and alumni. Van Mildert Association members were then able to participate in the Association’s Annual General Meeting in the Turner Room.

Alumni

The Reunion Weekend culminated in the Annual Reunion Dinner, which was attended by over 300 alumni. Speeches were given by the Principal, Professor David Harper, the Chair of the Van Mildert Association, Mr David Ellery, and Professor John Machin.

Before the dinner commenced, the College was also able to install its �irst Fellows, which included the Chair of College Council and the Destination 2015 Working Group, Professor Brian Tanner, Van Mildert College Trust Trustee, Alderman Alison Gowman, and the Chair of the Van Mildert Association, Mr David Ellery.

Further information about our Fellowship Scheme can be found within the Research and Scholarly Activity section of this magazine.

On Sunday, alumni enjoyed a relaxed Jazz Brunch in the Ann Dobson Hall, at which student musicians played a number of popular classics.

It was great to meet all those alumni who attended the Weekend and to hear of their experiences of this great College.

We were fortunate to welcome back members from across the alumni community.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our alumni and friends who helped us to celebrate this important milestone. Without our vibrant alumni community, a number of key initiatives for the College would not be possible.

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In addition, we would like to formally record our thanks to all of those staff, volunteers and supporters who made the weekend such a great success.

We look forward to welcoming alumni back for future events, whether in Durham, the UK or further a�ield. Information about future reunions can be found on the Dunelm webpages: www.dunelm.org.uk

Photographs of the event are available on the College’s Flickr account: vanmildertcollegealumni

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The Mildertian

Opera by the Lake

Imagine if you will, a quiet moonlit evening, a light mist drifting in over the Lake disturbed only by a couple of noisy mallard ducks making their way home across the water.

This silence is rudely broken by a couple of gondoliers animatedly discussing how to jointly rule the Kingdom of Barataria, while on the small jetty beneath the Lakeside Room, two young Neapolitan of�icers prepare to depart for war, leaving behind their two �ickle �iancées in the hands of a cynical, ageing philosopher.

These scenes of joy and sadness are suddenly eclipsed by a ghostly

swan-drawn boat, emerging out of the mist, bearing a Holy Grail Knight, alighting beside the glistening Mildert Feather in the moonlight.

These were some of the images conjured up in lively discussion with Sir Thomas Allen during this �irst Congregation Dinner at Van Mildert College.

The concept of Opera by the Lake, modi�ied just a little from Mildert’s perennially popular Jam by the Lake, was born and although most of the fantasy of that wonderful evening gave way to realism, the College was able to host this historic event for the College and indeed the University.

The Ann Dobson Hall was fully - if not over - booked and there was a buzz of keen anticipation as we waited for the centre piece of Van Mildert College’s 50th Anniversary celebrations.

Sir Thomas Allen performed a number of arias and duets with Van Mildert College alumna, Bridget Tomlinson. In addition, over 30 alumni and friends of the College performed in the Van Mildert College Opera Chorus.

The New Tyneside Orchestra provided excellent music throughout the afternoon.

A superb programme of overtures, choruses and arias was constructed, causing giant ripples

Alumni

across the Lake and beyond for years to come.

We were treated to performances of Verdi’s Per me giunto, Borodin’s Polovtsian Dances and Mozart’s Laci darem la Mano, amongst many others.

There are a number of people who provided support for the event, to whom we express our gratitude.

Professor Brian Tanner, Chair of the Destination 2015 Working Group, very quickly took the reins and assembled the cast, including persuading the New Tyneside Orchestra to support the event, together with a wide range of singers to form a chorus. The

Deputy Principal, Dr Victoria Brown, ably assisted with the latter.

The Chair of the Van Mildert Association, Mr David Ellery, generously allowed us to integrate this landmark performance within the Annual Alumni Reunion Weekend.

Our Development Of�icer, Dr Martin Brader, and Bursar, Mrs Paula Dawson, and her Operations Team, fully supported the vision from its inception.

Our two soloists, Ms Bridget Tomlinson and Sir Thomas Allen, provided an unforgettable combination throughout a

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wonderful afternoon of entertainment.

A �inal word of thanks is more than merited to Sir Thomas. Tom stayed true to the dream, gave generously of his experience, expertise and talent and, moreover, freely of his time. He has indeed ‘Done it for the Bishop’ - Sic vos non vobis!

- Professor David Harper

Photographs of the event are available on the College’s Flickr account: vanmildertcollegealumni

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The Mildertian

The Mildert Link

Careers Mentoring at Van Mildert

In 2016, Van Mildert College will launch The Mildert Link, a dedicated careers mentoring platform connecting current students with alumni to gain advice on the world of work.

The platform will allow students to gain an insight into career journeys, recruitment processes, CV development and business start-up. Could you help as a careers mentor?

The Mildert Link represents an important aspect of the College’s commitment to ensuring that our graduates are well equipped with the knowledge and skills to be successful in their chosen career path.

The new system offers students the opportunity to connect with alumni, who can offer voices of experience and mentorship to students who are looking to their futures in an increasingly competitive job market.

Alumni will be able to register as careers mentors when the system launches in the coming weeks. In order to participate in the scheme, alumni will be required to register for a Dunelm account.

If you are not already registered, this can be completed at: https://www.dunelm.org.uk/

Students will be able to search the database of mentors by subject of study, job sector, profession or type of help offered.

We hope to recruit mentors from a broad range of careers and experiences. We are particularly interested in hearing from alumni who have embarked on non-standard career journeys or those who have recently completed graduate schemes.

Mentors are asked to provide support to students in one or more of the following key areas, which can be selected during registration: - General Career Information - My Career Journey - CVs - Recruitment Processes - Industry Insights - Business Start-Up

Students will be able to communicate with alumni using the dedicated messaging service which forms part of the new careers mentoring platform.

Prior to the launch of The Mildert Link, we would like to hear from

alumni who are interested in providing careers support to our students. Please signal your interest by email to the Development Of�icer in the �irst instance (vm.development@ durham.ac.uk) It is anticipated that The Mildert Link will form part of our ambitious programme of careers initiatives and employability events which are being organised by the College.

The programme includes talks and workshops run by alumni, in addition to skills development through mock interview, assessment centre workshops and internships.

We are incredibly grateful for the support offered by alumni and friends of the College and would be delighted to hear from others who would like to be involved in similar activities. Please contact the Deputy Principal, Dr Victoria Brown to discuss these further (v.h.brown@durham.ac.uk).

Alumni

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Supporting Van Mildert

Whether acting as a driver for the College minibus, supporting student events, acting as a career mentor or providing �inancial assistance, alumni are at the heart of our community.

Several key College initiatives bene�it from the support of our alumni, without which a number of our key objectives would not be achievable.

There are a number of ways in which you can support the College after graduation, including acting as an event host, joining the SCR or becoming a donor.

Information about our most recent campaign can be found below, which highlights the importance of alumni support to the College.

Student Support Fund In 2015, Van Mildert College launched an appeal for the Student Support Fund, which is generously supported by alumni and friends of the College.

The Student Support Fund is a discretionary fund which provides for students in immediate or emergency �inancial need with sums of up to £100, which can make a real difference.

In addition, the fund is used to support students who wish to

pursue personal development opportunities, such as travel abroad, academic visits or study tours.

We would like to take this opportunity to express our thanks for your support of this important initiative.

If you would like to support the Student Support Fund please visit:

www.dunelm.org.uk/donations/ colleges/van-mildert

If you would like further information about how you could support Van Mildert College, please do not hesitate to get in touch with the Development Of�icer at: vm.development@durham.ac.uk

Thank you for all that you do for Van Mildert College!

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The Mildertian

We are always happy to hear from our alumni, about your news and achievements.

There are a number of ways that you can keep in touch with Van Mildert College, including registration for email updates, following us on social media or simply giving us a call.

In order to make sure that you keep up-to-date with developments at Van Mildert College, it is important to ensure that we have your most recent contact details.

Keep in Touch

The easiest way to update your details is through the Dunelm webpages, which can be accessed at: www.dunelm.org.uk/

The Dunelm webpages provide information on the latest events and activities organised for alumni, as well as outlining opportunities for volunteering or other support of the College and wider University.

Updating your details allows you to select your preferred

communication options, as well as providing access to a number of alumni bene�its, such as the @dunelm.org.uk email forwarding service.

You can also keep up-to-date with current College activities through our dedicated social media accounts, with the details provided below. Simply follow or like us for regular updates.

If you would like any further information about how to stay in touch, please email: vm.development@durham.ac.uk

Van Mildert College Alumni and Van Mildert Association

@VM_Alumni or @vanmildert1965 or @VM_Principal

Van Mildert College, sub-group of Durham University @vanmildertcollege

Research and Scholarly Activity

The breadth and depth of scholarly activity undertaken in Van Mildert College is ever-increasing.

The Middle Common Room has established a vibrant programme of Research Seminars, with presentations on a diverse range of topics, including sleep studies, philosophy and politics, neuroscience and Roman coinage.

These seminars were supplemented by the Destination 2015: Personal Research Journeys Symposium, which brought alumni back to the College to present their research post-Durham.

In turn, the Senior Common Room organised an Anniversary Lecture Series, bringing climate change experts from across the UK to Van Mildert to discuss this topic from a range of perspectives.

In 2016, the JCR elected an Academic Affairs Of�icer, who will assist with the development of scholarly activity amongst the undergraduate population - we are looking forward to many events in the future.

Alongside these developments, the College has also organised a number of scholarly and skills development events. We recently enjoyed an insight into the work of The Big Issue, when CEO, Stephen Robertson, visited the College to provide a lecture on ‘The Big Issue: a hand up and not a hand out’.

In addition, we have enjoyed another installment of the Bishop van Mildert Lecture Series, SCR Dinners and Lectures, as well as hosting a symposium of the Climate Impacts Research Centre (CIRC).

The Van Mildert College Trust and Van Mildert Association have also organised their own events as part of the College’s Anniversary celebrations.

In November 2015, we were delighted to welcome Lord Hughes of Ombersley to present the Van Mildert College Trust Annual Lecture on ‘Culpability and Harm; the ambit of the criminal law’. The lecture, attended by members of the JCR, MCR and SCR, provided a unique opportunity to hear from a senior member of the judiciary.

Finally, the Van Mildert Association’s Global Perspectives Series welcomed the Hungarian Ambassador to the UK, Mr Péter Szabadhegy, in 2016 to explore ‘Hungary’s place at the heart of Europe and the world’.

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The Mildertian

College Lectures In December, we were delighted to welcome Professor Sir Arnold Wolfendale FRS to Van Mildert College to present an SCR Lecture entitled ‘Robert Hooke - a rough but brilliant diamond’.

Robert Hooke FRS was an English scientist, architect, natural philosopher and polymath.

Hooke had a number of research interests, including support for biological evolution, wave theory of light, palaeontology, map-making, the properties of springs, microscopy and astronomy.

Sir Arnold provided a fascinating and engaging lecture on the scholar, including demonstrations of key developments in Hooke’s career and research. The lecture was also supported by a musical component, which outlined a number of Hooke’s key achievements.

During the lecture, Professor Wolfendale also outlined the rivalry between Hooke and Sir

Isaac Newton, who was active during the same period. It is thought that Hooke’s obscurity may have resulted from his disputes with other leading scholars of the period. However, he is now becoming increasingly recognised as one of the most important scientists of his age.

presented by Professor John Wolffe (Open University) on ‘Foxe and foxholes: Martyrdom and sacri�ice in twentieth-century British Protestantism.’

During the lecture, Professor Sir Arnold and Dr Lady Wolfendale also presented the College with a painting of Hooke by the renowned artist Rita Greer, including the College crest.

The Bishop van Mildert Lecture Series was established in 2012 to explore topics or themes of importance during the lifetime of William van Mildert, after whom the College is named.

The lecture was attended by members of the SCR, MCR and JCR and provided an excellent opportunity to hear about this much-underappreciated scholar.

Members of the three Common Rooms were then welcomed to the Lakeside Room for a buffet supper, over which Hooke’s life and work were further explored.

In February, the fourth Bishop van Mildert Lecture was

The lecture focussed on the commemoration of the sixteenth century Marian martyrs (as immortalised in a work by John Foxe) but also about twentieth century church responses to war deaths (foxholes), in light of the centenary of the Battle of the Somme.

These two lectures were organised in addition to the Anniversary Lecture Series organised by the SCR as part of the College’s VM50 Celebrations.

The SCR aims to organise at least one lecture per term.

Academia

Van Mildert College Senior Common Room is delighted to announce that it has established two Music Scholarships at Van Mildert College.

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SCR Music Scholarships

The purpose of these scholarships is to encourage the development of the musical life of the College across all musical genres whilst also nurturing a student’s personal development.

Scholarship holders will be expected to take leadership roles,

develop key new and existing musical initiatives within the College and may be called upon to perform at College, Senior Common Room and wider University functions.

Each scholarship has a total value of £250. The scholarship is paid in three termly instalments and will be held for one academic year only. However, in subsequent years, existing scholars can seek renewal of their scholarship through open competition with other candidates.

College Fellowships

Van Mildert College are delighted to announce the expansion of the Van Mildert College Fellowship Scheme.

The �irst Van Mildert College Fellowship was awarded in 2012 to Professor Brian Tanner, Dean for University Enterprise and Chair of Van Mildert College Council.

Professor Tanner was appointed a Fellow for his ‘exceptional contribution to the cultural, scholarly and social life of the College’.

In 2015, College Council resolved to appoint a number of new Fellows to mark the 50th Anniversary of the College. There are two types of Fellowship: Regular (working) and Honorary.

Regular Fellowships are awarded to ‘distinguished colleagues within the University who are actively associated with the College’ and are awarded for the duration of a Fellow’s connection with the University.

Honorary Fellowships are lifetime awards and are given to individuals who have ‘established themselves in their own �ields at a national and international level and have supported College in one or more ways’.

As part of the VM50 Celebrations, nine new Fellowships were awarded across the two categories.

Fellowships were presented to the following individuals:

Whilst students reading Music are eligible to apply, the committee also welcomes applications from students reading any degree programme. As part of the interview process, applicants must perform two pieces in contrasting styles.

In 2015/2016, a number of applications to the scheme were received and both scholarships were awarded to members of the Junior Common Room, who have already performed at a number of College events.

Regular (Working) Fellowships Professor Sir Arnold Wolfendale FRS Professor Simon Gardiner Professor Stuart Wilson Honorary Fellowships Sir Thomas Allen Lord Anthony Hughes Dr Christopher Dobson Professor John Barrow FRS Alderman Alison Gowman JP Mr David Ellery Congratulations to all of the recipients of the Van Mildert College Fellowships 2015.

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College Library

It has been a busy year for Van Mildert College Library, with a series of key skills events, cultural activities and study initiatives launched by the two College Librarians, Caroline Smith and Blythe Malona.

The Library has developed a programme of activities which broaden the use of this key educational space within College (see overleaf for further information).

In addition, the Kent Room has been reorganised to maximise the use of the space available. Through the removal of some under-used �iction stock, additional space has been made available for individual and group study.

There has also been a review and renewal of many areas of non-�iction library stock, driven by the Big Book Buy, which saw the College Library purchase over £1000 of new material, which was requested by students.

Students are encouraged to request new materials, particularly those which may be bene�icial to a large proportion of the student body.

This year, the Library has also led a

series of initiatives to highlight key issues surrounding work-life balance.

For World Book Day, the Library launched a campaign - Don’t judge a book by its cover - in collaboration with the Deputy Principal and JCR Welfare Team.

The campaign provided a free book for participants, wrapped in brown paper, alongside a bookmark outlining issues surrounding stress management and mental health. The scheme proved incredibly popular, with the Library distributing books to many JCR members over the course of the day.

In addition to these activities, the Library has renewed its website, providing students with an easy-to-use system for requesting new materials or providing feedback on current activities and events. The Library is also active on social media, particularly through their Twitter feed @VM_Library.

For further information about Van Mildert College Library, please visit the dedicated webpages: www.durham.ac.uk/ van-mildert.college/about/library/

Key Skills Sessions In collaboration with colleagues from the Centre for Academic, Researcher and Organisational Development (CAROD), the Library has hosted key skills events in the Bradshaw Room, Van Mildert College.

Two ‘Speed Reading’ sessions have provided students with a valuable opportunity to learn this key technique. Guided through the process, students were able to learn techniques for the rapid digestion of reading materials.

In addition, two sessions on ‘Effective Reading’ have also proven popular with

undergraduate and postgraduate students.

In the coming academic year, it is anticipated that this programme of skills events will be further expanded, perhaps to include training on time management, which can be important for the balancing of workloads and completion of projects.

If you have any ideas on sessions which would be useful, please contact the Librarians on: vm.library@durham.ac.uk

Japanese Cultural Evening In January, the College Library hosted a Japanese Cultural Evening in the Bradshaw Room.

Four students from Teikyo University of Japan, with whom the College has a long-standing relationship, provided a series of activities for undergraduate and postgraduate students.

JCR and MCR members were able to rotate between activities and get a �lavour for elements of Japanese culture.

There were four main areas of activity, which included origami, calligraphy, chopstick games and a language station.

Students were taught how to construct basic origami including cranes, frogs and birds.

Participants also learnt how to spell their own names in Japanese,

as well as learn basic phrases.

The event was the most popular activity organised by the Library this academic year. As a result, the Librarians have been in contact with other groups wihtin the University to provide similar cultural evenings.

It is hoped that this programme of events will expand, with a repeat of the Japanese Evening already scheduled for next year.

The Librarians are keen to hear from anyone who may have further ideas which could be explored. Please do leave a comment on the Library webpages or over email!

The Library would like to express their thanks to the Teikyo students and their EFL Teacher, Steven Wilson, for their support.

Academia

18

College Life

Each year, the Common Rooms host a range of activities and events for their members, whilst welcoming new students to the wider College community.

College Life

20

Life as a Mature Student

Greetings from the wonderful world of Van Mildert College!

My name’s Steve and I’m a mature student here in the small but perfectly formed city of Durham.

Until recently, I was working for a conservation charity in Devon but I’d been thinking about going to University for some years, though I'd always assumed that I wouldn't be able to afford it.

However, once I found out about the student loan system, I thought I’d be able to make it work, so I took a breath and jumped straight in. Best decision ever!

I must confess to not knowing a great deal about University before I came, or Durham itself for that matter, but I’ve enjoyed every single minute of my time here so far. The staff at Van Mildert really made me feel like they wanted me here and did everything they could to help me settle in and feel comfortable.

The other students have been fantastic and we can often be found sitting together, enjoying the latest delights of Net�lix or discussing the latest culinary treats we’ve been served up for breakfast, lunch and dinner (I think that the food really is excellent, by the way).

I’ve joined several societies that keep me busy and entertained and I often help out with staf�ing the college library from time to time, which is an excellent resource to have in addition to the enormous Bill Bryson Library just down the road.

I'm on the Foundation Course here at ancient and venerable Durham University, which is designed to get you ready for the rigours of studying a degree.

It's a fantastic course and the levels of support, through College, the Foundation Centre and the University itself, have really helped me make the most of everything.

The city itself is beautiful and the Cathedral and Castle world heritage site makes for a great backdrop to University life. I'm lucky enough to be able to walk by the river each day to my classes and, being a bit of a nature buff (that doesn't mean I'm in nature in the buff, before you ask), it's great to relax in a peaceful environment before and after a good day's study.

If you’re thinking of applying to University and aren’t really sure, just get in touch with the University as I’m sure they’ll do everything they can to help and if you want some help and advice about Durham itself, college life at Van Mildert or why the ducks on Van Mildert lake refuse to move out of your way, feel free to get in contact!

- Steve Henry To �ind out more about Undergraduate Life, visit: www.durham.ac.uk/ van-mildert.college/undergraduate

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The Mildertian

SCR Events

In 2015/2016, the Senior Common Room has enjoyed an extensive programme of events and activities, many of which have supported student initiatives.

SCR members have enjoyed a number of the JCR’s Productions, including Parade and Mamma Mia, as well as providing support for the MCR’s Postgraduate Research Seminars.

In addition to these events, a number of activities have been organised for SCR members by the SCR Committee, arranged by the Events Co-Ordinator, Charlotte Imlach.

In Michaelmas Term, SCR members were treated to a unique dining experience Dinner in the Dark - during which members were blindfolded for the duration of the meal. Without seeing the menu in advance,

diners were then challenged to identify the components of their meal without the use of one of their primary senses - sight.

In Epiphany Term, the SCR enjoyed a tour of the Oriental Museum’s Japanese Collections, before returning to the Lakeside Room for A Taste of Japan. Sushi and sashimi were enjoyed by all in attendance, including the guests from the Teikyo University of Japan. Following the Japanese theme, each diner was provided with an origami place card.

SCR members were also able to hear about the response of Universities to sexual violence during the SCR Dinner in Easter Term, which was presented by two PhD students who had conducted a study for the University’s Sexual Violence Task Force (SVTF).

SCR members have also enjoyed outings with the newly established SCR Walking Club, Board Games Evenings, tours of local attractions, Tasting Evenings and lectures.

In June, the latest SCR event - an Evening Summer Garden Tea in the Botanic Gardens - will provide an excellent opportunity to mark the year’s achievements.

Alumni and friends of the College are very welcome to join the Senior Common Room. For further information on how you can join, email the SCR Membership Secretary on:

vm.development@durham.ac.uk or visit:

http://community.dur.ac.uk/ vm.scr/

College Life

22

Student Events

The Junior and Middle Common Rooms have organised a plethora of events for their members during the Academic Year 2015/2016.

The JCR has hosted a hugely successful Charity Fashion Show, raising funds for Mind; Race Night Formal in support of the Young Persons’ Project; weekly quiz nights; Take Me Out and a number of other popular events.

A new addition to the calendar was the Principal’s Debate, which saw the Principal and Deputy Principal discuss ‘Is social media anti-social?’ with the JCR’s Debating Society. The event drew a large crowd, with the JCR

emerging victorious from a tightly-contested discussion.

The Summer Ball was held externally to the College for the �irst time in recent years, hosted at Newcastle Racecourse. JCR members enjoyed a meal at the venue followed by entertainment, which continued upon their return to Van Mildert.

The MCR has enjoyed an expanding programme of events and activities. The Middle Common Room organised a Private Reception at the Oriental Museum, as well as hosting a Postgraduate Ceilidh during Induction Week involving students from across the

University’s Colleges.

In addition, the ever-popular Mildert Day has also taken place, providing a showcase of the musical talent within the JCR, accompanied by a cheerleading routine and the awarding of College Colours to non-�inalist undergraduates. The day brings together all members of the College community, ending in the Mildert Day Formal.

As we look back over the academic year, it is clear that the diversity of events has increased, with new and exciting ideas being brought forward by the Common Rooms. We are looking forward to next year!

Durham University News

Durham University News Durham rises in prestigious World Rankings The number of Durham University subjects in the top 50 of the prestigious QS World University Subject Rankings has more than doubled from three to seven.

Geography at Durham is ranked third in the world and Archaeology �ifth, with Anthropology, Earth Sciences, English, History and Law also in the top 50.

Today's subject-speci�ic rankings follow on from Durham achieving its highest ever world ranking in the overall QS league table published last year, where it rose more than 30 places to 61st in the world.

The strength across Durham's academic departments was further evidenced in May 2016, when 21 of Durham's 26 departments were ranked in the top 10 in the 2017 Guardian League Tables, with 11 ranked in the top 5.

The overall QS rankings also placed Durham 54th in the world for citations, recognising the impact and in�luence of its research among other academics, and 31st globally for employer reputation, giving recognition to the quality of, and international demand for, Durham's graduates.

Durham forges new links with European Universities

Durham University has been invited to join the Coimbra Group, an association of European universities committed to creating academic and cultural links to

promote internationalisation, academic collaboration, excellence in learning and research, and service to society.

Several of the Group’s 38 existing members already have research or teaching links with Durham including Aarhus, Bologna, Heidelberg, Jena, Siena, Uppsala, the eponymous Coimbra and existing UK members Edinburgh and Bristol.

Durham’s membership will bring mutual bene�its in terms of research collaboration, in�luence over European policy-making, staff and student exchanges between members and intelligence on funding opportunities.

Durham also aims to increase its participation in impactful research that drives economic growth and Europe’s global competitiveness.

New Chief Operating Of�icer appointed

The University has appointed its new Chief Operating Of�icer (COO) following a competitive recruitment process. Jane Robinson, currently Chief Executive at Gateshead Council, will take up her position in September this year. She succeeds Paulina Lubacz, who retired earlier this year.

As COO of Durham University, Jane will report to the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Stuart Corbridge. She will be responsible for the effective leadership, alignment and delivery of the Professional Support Services that underpin the delivery of the

24

University Strategy. Jane will also be an important spokesperson for the University on regional, national and international affairs.

Celebrating 150 years of Durham’s alumni community

Durham University is celebrating the 150th anniversary of the formation of its �irst alumni society, which was formed by graduates of the University on 31 May 1866 in London.

The alumni society continues to this day as the Dunelm Society, which is organising a series of celebratory events in London to mark the anniversary.

You can �ind out more about the celebrations online at: www.dunelm.org.uk/150 You can also �ind out how to get involved at: www.dunelm.org.uk/ get-involved/how Business School appoints new Dean Professor Susan Hart has been appointed as the new Dean of Durham University Business School following a competitive recruitment process. She will take up her position in summer 2016.

Professor Hart, currently Associate Deputy Principal at the University of Strathclyde, will succeed Professor Rob Dixon, Dean since 2008.

You can keep up-to-date with the latest university news at: www.durham.ac.uk/ news/allnews/

Sport, Outreach and the Arts

Sport, Outreach, Arts

26

Sports Roundup

The 2015/2016 Academic Year has seen a number of fantastic achievements for Team Mildert.

Cheerleading have retained their title to become champions for the sixth consecutive year - a superb achievement for the team!

Women’s Rugby have also performed well, winning the Women’s Rugby Premiership as Milbut - a team comprising members of Van Mildert and Josephine Butler Colleges.

Mixed Volleyball have also had a strong �irst season, performing well in a number of their matches.

The Netball A and D Teams have also both had particularly strong seasons in the 2015/2016

Academic Year, being undefeated in the games that they played.

The Van Mildert Boat Club (VMBC) has bene�itted from a new boat - Four Winds - which has been put to good use in a number of �ixtures. In addition, VMBC set themselves a mammoth fundraising challenge by completing a 1000000 m Erg, with proceeds divided between the club and the Royal Life Saving Society UK. This year, the Special Team Contribution Award, presented at the Sports Formal, went to the Football G Team.

Team of the Year was awarded for the �irst time - to the Men’s Hockey Team, (pictured above)

who fought off strong competition from Darts, Women’s Rugby and Netball.

It has been a truly great year for the College’s sports teams congratulations on your success in the Academic Year 2015/2016!

Image: Van Mildert College Photography

27

The Mildertian

Outreach Showcase

In May, Van Mildert College hosted an Outreach Showcase Event for staff, students, local alumni and supporters of the JCR’s six Outreach Projects.

The evening provided an excellent opportunity to celebrate the extraordinary work done by more than 150 Mildertians in the local community.

Van Mildert College has long been engaged in a range of community outreach schemes and we are therefore very proud that we continue to be referred to as the ‘College with the biggest heart’.

Our current projects offer support in primary schools, a range of aspirational activities for 14-15 year olds and also youth offenders, support for carers, disabled children and the elderly, as well as promoting environmental conservation.

The evening began with a talk by

the Principal, Professor David Harper, entitled ‘Reaching out to the hinterland: A model for college volunteering in the community’.

Following Professor Harper’s introduction, Barbara Gubbins, Chief Executive of Durham Community Foundation and a member of Van Mildert College Council provided an overview of the importance of community work.

Each of the Project Directors were then given the opportunity to present the work undertaken by their project and their plans for the future.

The evening provided an opportunity to learn about the work of our hugely successful student-led projects whilst also hearing some very entertaining and moving stories of success.

We were also delighted to welcome a number of community

partners to the event, who are engaged with elements of the JCR’s Outreach Programme. We are very fortunate to have a number of dedicated partners in the local area, who support the delivery of the projects.

Following the event, attendees were able to share their own experiences of the Outreach Projects over light refreshments.

Similar events will be organised on an annual basis to recognise the impacts of JCR Outreach.

Information about the JCR’s Outreach Schemes can be sought from the JCR Outreach Of�icer: outreach@mildert.co.uk

If you would like to support the projects, please contact the Deputy Principal, Dr Victoria Brown: v.h.brown@durham.ac.uk

Sport, Outreach, Arts

28

Volunteer Awards

It has been a magni�icent year for Mildert Outreach. Once again, our six outreach projects have gone from strength to strength. They have each continued to develop new initiatives, recruit additional students and work with new community partners. We were delighted that these outstanding achievements were recognised at the �irst Annual Durham University Volunteering Awards held in Durham Town Hall in June 2016. It was quite extraordinary to see Mildert Outreach nominated in every category and sitting alongside volunteers and projects from university-wide organisations such as Student Community Action.

There were awards for many of our Project Directors including Laura Blackett who received the ‘Outstanding Volunteer’ Award for her work with the recently re-named Secure Centre Mentoring Scheme (previously Prison Project) at Van Mildert. Hannah Pittaway also received recognition for her work launching the Environmental Conservation Committee (ECC) which was established in 2015. An Award for Heidi Fitchett then followed as she

received the ‘Most Improved Project’ Award on behalf of Carer’s Respite Committee (CRC) which continues to do outstanding work to improve the wellbeing of carers and their children across County Durham.

Despite being up against tough competition from Castle Community Action, CRC once again came out on top as their hugely enthusiastic and valued community partner, Richard Wilkinson, received the ‘Outstanding Community Partner’ Award.

Nominations then followed for Mildertians in the ‘Most Committed Volunteer’ and ‘Best Volunteer Development’ categories.

However, it was the announcement of the ‘Golden Oldie’ Awards which raised the roof. Anna Morris, a hugely committed Experience Durham volunteer and keen sportswoman, was the �irst to receive an award. This was followed by a second ‘Golden Oldie’ for Peter Elkin, a veteran YPP volunteer and our current Project Director. The award was received to an appreciative audience who rose to their feet as chants of ‘YPPete, YPPete…’ rang out around the Town Hall. Further Mildert success came as

Iain McGowan received the ‘Most Community Impact’ Award for his work with Student Community Action.

The evening was superb, and undoubtedly bene�itted from the enthusiasm and drive of our JCR Outreach Of�icer, Ruby Cumming, who was instrumental in the planning and organisation of the event. Ruby also spoke eloquently to the packed Town Hall about the impact of Mildert Outreach. Indeed, her mention of its relevance to our College ethos and motto, ‘sic vos non vobis’, was remarked upon by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Stuart Corbridge, who presented the �inal awards of the evening and highlighted the importance of community engagement and volunteering for the University and the region. As the evening concluded, Mildert was absolutely thrilled to leave with awards which recognised the huge contribution of our Mildert volunteers and projects. The evening was a huge success and placed Mildert �irmly on the map as the ‘College with the biggest heart’!

Theatre and the Arts

Sport, Outreach, Arts

2015/2016 has been another stellar year for JCR Productions and Performances, including Parade and Mamma Mia.

In Michaelmas Term, we were treated to a magni�icent VM Variety in the Ann Dobson Hall, Van Mildert College and a sell-out run of 1984 by The Feather Theatre Company at Empty Shop, Framwellgate Bridge.

The Feather Theatre Company proceeded to take over The Assembly Rooms on the Bailey for the Epiphany Musical - Parade (see left). This challenging production dramatises the 1913 historical trial of Leo Frank, a Jewish factory manager in the state of Georgia.

Cast members were praised in the student media for their delivery of the demanding musical numbers, with the technical support team

also receiving good reviews. It is the �irst time in recent years that the Epiphany Musical has been held outside of College.

In Easter Term, we were treated to a further two performances by JCR members - Summer Shakespeare and the 48 Hour Musical.

JCR, MCR and SCR members enjoyed the performance of Twelfth Night in the JCR Well, sadly moved from Tees Lawn due to bad weather, which contained a number of stunning performances

by JCR members.

The 48 Hour Musical - Mamma Mia (see above) - was another great success, drawing a huge crowd to the Ann Dobson Hall.

The 48 Hour Musical yet again demonstrated the talent of our musicians and performers, particularly given the limited

30

preparation time before the performance.

In addition to these productions, the Arts continue to thrive at Van Mildert College, both through Van MildArt and initiatives organised by the Common Rooms.

This year, the MCR held a pottery masterclass in the JCR Foyer, which was well attended by both undergraduate and postgraduate students.

In addition, the College was delighted to welcome the renowned artist, David Venables, to present an Exhibition on ‘The Miners’ Gala: The Big Meeting’ in the Lakeside Room.

We very much look forward to further events and activities next Academic Year.

Images: Ali Linney

31

The Mildertian

Student Support

The Principal’s Of�ice at Van Mildert continues to be a key source of support and guidance for students throughout their studies. Deborah Monk is now working full-time as the Assistant Principal and, as ever, is ably assisted by Jillian and Sharon who remain a constantly reliable and ef�icient presence (and keep us ship-shape!). Additionally, our relationship with the student peer-to-peer welfare team has developed once again this year.

Indeed, in order to give the role of JCR Welfare Of�icer the recognition that it truly deserves, the JCR has rebranded the role and given it a new title: JCR Vice-President (Welfare).

For 2016-17, the role has been taken up by Nick Mainwaring who we are looking forward to working with immensely over the coming year!

This year saw the expansion of our Careers and Employability offering at Van Mildert. After a hugely successful set of panel interviews at the beginning of the academic year which saw students practice their interview technique and receive detailed constructive feedback, a revised programme of Careers and Employability initiatives has been devised with support from the SCR. The �irst of these initiatives took place this year and included three

interactive sessions run by the NHS, PNP Baribas and Ernst & Young. Each of these sessions offered the participants the chance to meet those currently employed on graduate schemes and for our alumni to offer their own voice of experience. The sessions enabled students to gain �irst-hand experience of the types of assessments used by graduate employers and an insight into the range of opportunities available from people who have been in their shoes, studying at Van Mildert. Following the success of these sessions, we are delighted that the Van Mildert Association has kindly agreed to support an expanded version of this programme going forward. We would love to hear from alumni who are willing to contribute to this new programme of events by running a session or providing contacts. In speaking to the JCR, particular interest has been shown in sessions relating to work in the third sector, media and entrepreneurship. In addition, we are continuing to work closely with the Careers, Employability and Enterprise Centre within the University who are able to offer a series of one-to-one careers advice sessions for our students.

All of these sessions have also

contributed to the wider student skills development agenda at Van Mildert which has also included the initiation of a number of study skills events run by the College Library.

Looking ahead to 2016-17, we are particularly keen to hear from anyone who may be able to offer short internships or work experience opportunities for current students.

These unique opportunities play a key role in ensure that Mildertians are able to gain suitable experience in order to secure their chosen role post-graduation in an increasingly competitive job market.

We have continued to recruit new College Mentors this year and are delighted to report that our mentor system is continuing to go from strength to strength. Indeed, with our mentor numbers now in excess of 60, we were in a position to be able to offer both undergraduate and postgraduate students mentors at the beginning of the 2015-16 academic year. College Mentors are best thought of an ‘interested other’ who is there to listen and direct a student to the best possible source of help or support as needed. The role is open to alumni and friends of the College and we are always delighted to hear from people interested in joining our friendly mentor team.

We thanked our mentors for their huge contribution to college life at our �irst Annual Mentor Barbecue in June 2016. The event was a great success and also raised over £200 for Mildert Outreach!

Our student community will no doubt continue to expand and diversify over the coming years. Indeed, it is hoped that key groups such as our postgraduate and international communities will be some of the �irst to expand to ensure we build a balanced and diverse College. In recent weeks we have welcomed student visitors from Hong Kong who are joining us for 6 weeks as part of an English Language Immersion Programme during their teacher training. The students have become active members of the MCR and have become involved in a range of college

Student Support

32

activities during their short stay. We are delighted to welcome them to Van Mildert!

and advice, both of which can make such a huge difference as new student settle into life in the UK.

As with our full-time students, we have been fortunate to identify College Mentors who have been willing to support our visiting overseas students during their visits and this has added greatly to their UK experience. Their support has included offering informal conversation practice over College lunch or providing simple directions

Additionally new links have been established with schools in the UK and overseas; in particular, with the British School in Brussels which I will be visiting in June as part of their Higher Education Day, and also with Duke University as we look to share best practice around community engagement and volunteering.

Additionally, it has been a pleasure to see the relationship between Van Mildert and Teikyo �lourish under the care of Steven Wilson and Richard Bruce (MCR President). We have welcomed our Teikyo students to Formal Dinners in College along with a range of other events.

Other visitors this year have included a number of school groups; some of secondary school age who are considering applying to University, others as part of our Open Days, and some from Primary Schools as part of our commitment to community outreach.

- Dr Victoria Brown

JCR President Elect

What are your likes?

Simon is currently a third year Politics student at Van Mildert who has been an active member of the JCR since his Induction Week. He is a keen sportsman who has represented the College in Cricket, Football, and Darts.

As a �irm winner of the ‘Most Enthusiastic Open Day Rep’ Award for the last couple of years, Simon will of�icial take up his new position as JCR President on 1st August 2016. We have every con�idence that the JCR will continue to �lourish under his leadership!

THE JCR, Liverpool FC, cricket, golf, rugby, working the bar and gangster movies.

What are your dislikes?

Fish Friday, The Durham Congestion Charge and Manchester United.

Have you got any pets?

Just one, a Black Labrador called Rocky (shame he’s not a Boxer!).

What was the �irst CD that you bought?

It was by Oasis - What’s the story morning glory?

Simon Povey

What did you want to be when you were a child?

Policeman (even then I liked the idea of authority).

What is your favourite place in the world?

The Kent Room.

What’s your greatest vice?

A big bag of Thai Sweet Chilli Sensations Where did you go on your last holiday?

Prague

Environment

In 2015/2016, Van Mildert College has undertaken a number of projects to improve the estate, as well as reduce energy consumption, food waste and environmental impact.

A small number of Ginkgo biloba trees have been gifted to the College, which have added to the biodiversity of the estate. Ginkgo biloba is known as a living fossil, with specimens related to the modern variety being found in samples dated to the Permian, 270 million years before present. The �irst specimen at Van Mildert College has been planted between Deerness and Tunstall Blocks.

Following support from Durham County Council and the College’s Club Development Fund, new bicycle racks have been installed close to the Main Building. The improved facilities have assisted in the promotion of green travel, through the provision of secure storage.

The College has also been successful in securing funding from the Durham University Ring-Fenced Carbon Reduction Fund to provide energy ef�icient hand dryers in the Main Building, reducing energy consumption and removing the need for hand towels.

Over the course of the academic year, the College has also been involved in a series of campaigns to raise awareness of environmental issues or concerns.

As a result of these efforts, Van Mildert College received recognition for the Best Campaign as part of the University’s Energy Consumption Competition, which focusses on gas and electricity usage.

The campaign used a range of engagement tools, ranging from posters

to social media to highlight key areas for consideration.

Van Mildert College also saw the greatest reduction in food waste, as part of the ‘Love Food, Hate Waste’ campaign.

In addition to these University initiatives, Van Mildert College’s Environment Champion, Ian Jackson, has also instigated college-based campaigns.

Most recently, the #TodayatMildert campaign has seen members of the college community highlight our diverse �lora and fauna on social media.

Get Involved

The Green Committee are always looking for new ideas to save energy within the College and need your help!

If anyone in the College community can see ways in which we can save energy (gas or electricity), Ian and his team would love to hear from you.

The more ambitious your idea, the better - we have already consulted about wind turbines, but unfortunately, they are not suitable for our grounds!

We are able to apply for support from the Carbon Ring-Fenced Budget (up to £2000) to execute your idea.

If you are a visionary, get in touch: i.d.jackson@durham.ac.uk or green@mildert.co.uk

Environment

34

Van Mildert College Trust Van Mildert College Trust was established in 2007 with the aim of supporting excellence in all areas of College life, with a particular focus on promoting the energy and talent of our students.

The Trust has four key themes: - enhancing research - promoting learning - facilitating career building - enabling cultural enrichment

Since its commencement, the Trust has developed a number of key initiatives, including our Internship Support Bursaries and the Conference Attendance Fund, as well as supporting individual projects, such as the restoration of the Bechstein piano and development of a Postgraduate Research Centre.

In the College’s Golden Jubilee year, the Trust developed an Anniversary Garden, as a space for relaxation and contemplation within the College estate.

The Garden continues to �lourish, with the �lowering trees and shrubs providing a colourful retreat for all to enjoy. The combination of Sorbus and Malus provides interest throughout the year.

The Van Mildert College Trust PhD Scholarships provide support to outstanding doctoral students for a three year period. The scholarships cover tuition fees, accommodation costs, living expenses and some research costs.

vm.development@durham.ac.uk

Competition for the awards has been extremely high, with ca. 60 applications for the available positions. We hope to be able to con�irm the awards in the coming weeks.

There are a limited number of opportunities remaining to support this initiative. Enquiries should be directed to the Development Of�icer in the �irst instance:

In addition to this exciting project, the Trust has also been able to continue its support of talented students, particularly postgraduates, through a series of funding packages.

The third and fourth Van Mildert College Trust PhD Scholars Joseph Schultz and Maria Luisa Sánchez Montes - are approaching the end of their research projects in Music and Geography respectively.

In 2016, we are delighted to be able to offer a further two concurrent PhD Scholarships, through an integrated and comprehensive approach with the wider University.

The Trust also continues to offer a number of smaller grants and bursaries to members of the JCR and MCR, supporting personal and skills development.

In addition to these grants, the Trust continues to support the College’s programme of academic

events through the Van Mildert College Trust Annual Lecture Series.

Van Mildert College Trust

36

In 2015, we were delighted to welcome Lord Hughes of Ombersley to present the Trust Annual Lecture on ‘Culpability and Harm; the ambit of the criminal law’.

In 2016, Lord Malloch-Brown will present the sixth Van Mildert College Trust Annual Lecture entitled ‘Small World, Big Problems: Why we need multilateralism more than ever’. The lecture will take place on Thursday 17 November at 5.30 pm in Van Mildert College, Durham University.

The lecture synopsis is as follows: ‘A discussion of how bilateral diplomacy is in crisis because of different challenges to state authority and the pressing need to �ind collaborative approaches to problem solving that involve an inclusive set of stakeholders’

Further information about the lecture can be found in the poster (see right), with booking information being circulated to alumni via email in due course.

Support Van Mildert College Trust You can support the work of Van Mildert College Trust online at www.dunelm.org.uk/donations/colleges/vanmildert

Alternatively, please email the Development Of�icer to request a Gift Form vm.development@durham.ac.uk Post can be sent to: Development Of�icer | Van Mildert College | Durham University | Mill Hill Lane | Durham | DH1 3LH

37

The Mildertian

Merchandise Van Mildert College has a range of merchandise available for purchase from the Development Of�icer.

We currently have the following items available: College Bear

£15

College Tie

£20

Pendant

£15

College Cuf�links

£20

College Scarf

£25

In addition to these items, we have a number of commemorative items which were developed as part of the College’s VM50 celebrations.

These items include: Limited Edition Print of ‘The Lake’

£80

A Place of Water

£20

The Birth of a College

£12

Please contact the Development Of�icer for an Order Form.

The Lake

Roar Kjærnstad

‘The Lake’ by Roar Kjærnstad is available as a unmounted print (45 x 20 cm) for £80 + P&P.

A limited run of 50 prints, many hand-tinted, has been commissioned, which will be sold on a �irst-come �irst-served basis.

The Lake by Roar Kjærnstad (45 x 20 cm, print). * P&P will be charged at £3.50 for second class UK delivery. For delivery elsewhere, an additional charge may apply.

To purchase one of these special prints, please contact the Development Of�icer.

Prints are available for collection from Van Mildert College or can be sent via post to a valid address.

The Mildertian A Place of Water:

Memories of 50 Years at Van Mildert College Order your copy now for £20 + P&P*

‘A Place of Water: Memories of 50 Years of Van Mildert College’ has been developed to mark the College’s 50th Anniversary in 2015 and contains memories and accounts from current and former members of the JCR, MCR, SCR and College Staff.

A limited number of copies of this important publication are now available for purchase.

To order your copy, please contact the Development Of�icer via vm.development@durham.ac.uk, who will provide further details and an Order Form. * P&P will be charged at £3.50 for second class UK delivery. For delivery elsewhere, an additional charge may apply.

The Birth of a College The Prowse Years 1964 - 1972 Order your copy now for £12 + P&P*

‘The Birth of a College’ provides an account of the foundational years of Van Mildert College under the leadership of Dr Prowse, the �irst Master.

A limited number of copies of this important publication are now available for purchase.

To order your copy, please contact the Development Of�icer via vm.development@durham.ac.uk, who will provide further details and an Order Form. * P&P will be charged at £3.50 for second class UK delivery. For delivery elsewhere, an additional charge may apply.

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Van Mildert College Durham University Mill Hill Lane Durham DH1 3LH 0191 334 7100 Principal: Professor David A.T. Harper Email: david.harper@durham.ac.uk Deputy Principal: Dr Victoria Brown Email: v.h.brown@durham.ac.uk

Alumni and Development Of�ice Dr Martin Brader (2014-16)/Mr Richard Bruce (2016-17) Email: vm.development@durham.ac.uk 0191 334 7092

Van Mildert College Alumni and Van Mildert Association @VM_Alumni and @VM_Principal Van Mildert College, subgroup of Durham University Web:

www.durham.ac.uk/van-mildert.college/