The Mildertian 2021

The Mildertian Vol 8.

2021

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The Mildertian

Contents

Source: Durham University News

9 | Farewell to David Harper We reflect on College Principal David Harper’s 10 years at Van Mildert College.

20 | Research and Scholarship An overview of scholarly activity and an introduction to our Dimensions Scholars.

23 | College Life Find out about life as a first year during COVID-19, SCR activities and student events at Van Mildert College.

14 | Alumni

11 | Dimensions

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

Information about Mildert’s student enrichment programme and reflections on a busy year of virtual events.

33 | Outreach and Arts Hear about our latest outreach activities and performances.

32 | University News Overview of recent University achievements.

36 | VMC Trust Information about Van Mildert College Trust, and the work it does to promote College excellence.

39 | Merchandise Check out our range of alumni merchandse from bears and cufflinks to scarves and prints of Van Mildert College!

Welcome

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The Principal’s Piece

It is near impossible to capture the sheer magic of the last ten years as College Principal on the written page.

The experiences and events seem to have flashed by like an express train through all the local stations on route to the capital.

The abundance and diversity of events, many student led, ranged from gold-star performances such as the two ‘Opera by the Lake’ shows, through to the JCR’s showcase and variety performances, the 48 hour musical (Mamma Mia and Mary Poppins were standouts, for me at least), Carols by Candlelight, the Pantomime (although I don’t think I ever said ‘I’m awa to ma hoos’ but the phrase cropped up year after year) and the fashion show (though I did only attend the first halves of two).

The research seminars and colloquia led by the MCR and the wonderful lecture series and dinners led by the SCR, established the scholarly ethos of the College.

Formal dining was very much

part of the pre-pandemic college, each themed and including the Halloween Fancy Dress formal, the Christmas formals, Burns’ night (I really looked forward to stabbing the haggis, while in Highland Dress), St Valentine’s (I was often presented with an anonymous rose), St Patrick’s Day (and a chance to use my few words of Gaelic) and into the Summer receptions at the Principal’s House, the Principal’s and Sports’ formals and finally the following the unique congregations in Durham Cathedral, the graduation formals.

The VMC Trust has delivered on PhD scholarships, bursaries and grants together with some spectacular Trust lectures, ten during my tenure. I started my tenure with Lord Melvyn Bragg on the ‘Book of Books’ and concluded with Dame Professor Jane Francis on Antarctica and climate change.

I have also met many quite remarkable alumnae/i of College, many have contributed in various ways to the evolution and sustainability

of the Mildert Community. In recent years the Van Mildert Association has contributed generously to College’s challenge and opportunities fund.

After an exceptionally difficult 18 months of pandemic conditions, we few, we band of brothers survived bloodied but not bowed. I am so very grateful to the Junior Common Room and Senior Common Room, together with the VMC Curry Club, for conferring on me honorary life membership.

These HLMs mean a great deal.

I have chosen five vignettes to illustrate some of the high points of my tenure. There are many more but please excuse my many omissions.

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The Mildertian

The Tale of the Feather The metal rotating feather on the south-west side of the Lake was the first piece of artwork specially commissioned for a College, but that did not prevent some controversy when it arrived from Denmark.

At a chance meeting in the with the University’s Treasurer, Paulina Lubazc and Head of Fine Arts, Henry Dyson, the paucity of artworks around Van Mildert College was raised. Action was required. Maureen and I had visited an outdoor sculpture park on Jylland, while in Denmark, and marvelled at the metal work of the great Danish sculptor, Erik Heide. Rather than have a statue in the Lake or a large rubber duck floating on the Lake, a metal feather seemed an ideal solution.

The feather was relatively inexpensive, and costs were covered by a fund in the University and an alumni capital fund, due to

expire, in College. The JCR, however, maintained they had identified a shortfall in the College accounts of £80,000 which matched expenditure on the feather. This of course was nonsense, the price of the feather was nowhere near £80k and at that time of the year the College account was in considerable surplus. More perplexing was the cost to mount the feather.

body, for a time having its own Twitter account, and serves as monument to the achievements of the students, staff and alumni of College.

The recent installation of two large standing stones at the two main entrances to the college estate of Welsh slate bearing a beautiful reproduction of the College crest (and a fossil brachiopod) attracted much less attention.

A rather ambitious functionary from Estates and Buildings (as was then) first quoted some £20k to build a small cage weighted down by boulders in the Lake (this quotation actually exceeded the cost of the artwork). However, this was not possible and he came back with a quotation of £25k for a land-based plinth. For a tenth of the price a local company mounted the feather and created a gravel area around it.

It was embraced by the student

A Place Of Water: Mildert Memories In 2015 we celebrated the 50th anniversary of College; staff and students worked extremely hard to provide a weekend to remember for the College alumnae/i.

booked all available rooms in College, but it was our pleasure to personally host this event for those who established the new college on the southern margin of the University.

Maureen I and hosted a reception and dinner in our house for the pioneers, the Van Mildert Association had already

Simultaneously there was a sparkling wine reception in the Lakeside Room.

Welcome Next afternoon, College hosted the first Opera by the Lake in the Ann Dobson Hall and gala dinner in the evening…..dancing and and revelry continued late into the evening.

Yes, College has changed since those exciting and formative early years of the College; it is no longer independent from the University, and a loss of agency and budget has been exchanged for increasing rules and regulations.

But college life is still fun, and

the Wider Student Experience Strategy (and Mildert’s own Dimensions Programme) has re-established the inescapable value of collegiate life.

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a remarkable record of the 50 years of Durham’s most innovative colleges’ surplus.

A book to celebrate 50 years of Van Mildert College, edited by Maureen McCorry and Ruth Tanner, captures many of the highlights of those last 50 years, narrated through the lens of College staff and students, past and present.

It, together with Arnold Bradshaw’s Birth of a College, is

Off to Marseille utilities) but it is outreach and volunteering that set us apart from the other 16 Durham colleges.

International Final in Marseilles against a background of the white Mesozoic limestones in the coastal ranges of the Alps.

The six outreach projects led by the JCR involve over two hundred students each year and contributed over 6,000 hours of volunteering to the community.

This time we had to be content with runner up to the University of Tasmania, which was feeding most of the deprived households on the island with home grown fruit and vegetables. A worthy winner.

Having won the regional prize in the community category in the Northeast competition it was onto a tense final for the UK and Ireland Green Gown Awards in Manchester.

Van Mildert College has led the way in environmental sustainability for many years (reducing waste, using recycled products and minimising use of

Van Mildert College dominated the community category with a first place, and College found itself again competing against entire universities at the

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The Mildertian

Mildert’s Swan Lake It was a magical moment, the swans with their mythical and operatic associations, choosing the Mildert Lake for their home.

During the next weeks a nest was built, their territory established and eggs laid. Four cygnets were hatched and stumbled about the estate with their parents between rather more elegant sojourns across and around the Lake; Durham’s Keeper of the Swans was informed of their whereabouts.

One February morning a pair swans appeared through the early morning mist, circling the Lake several times and landing on the larger of the two islands.

to maturity. The family Swan was taken to the hearts of our staff and students but nothing lasts for ever and soon the family had left the Lake.

Well, not quite; one of cygnets overwintered and next spring that too disappeared. A pair visited the lake the next spring.

Was it the original pair? In any case they didn’t stay.

The aggressive behaviour of the parents soon severely limited the predatory actions of the heron and clutches of both mallards and moorhens survived

Opera by the Lake (twice) performance of ‘Opera by the Lake’.

Shortly after I arrived in November 2021, Sir Thomas Allen was installed as Chancellor of the University of Durham. And thus started a dialogue about a

An afternoon of operatic arias and overtures was planned to coincide with celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the founding of College. There were many opportunities to use the Lake within the production: A swan could guide Lohengrin to the Castle of the Holy Grail or Ferrando and Guglielmo in Così fan tutti could apparently be sailing off to war. We decided to stay on dry land, in the Ann Dobson Hall.

The event was planned for the

Saturday afternoon of the alumni reunion in July 2015 (see overleaf).

The performance was superb, masterminded by Brian Tanner (at the time Chair of College Council). I did have a technical issue with seating. The first couple of rows were reserved for members of the Van Mildert Association and their guests.

I was neither and I was initially relegated to the back stalls while Maureen was in a prime location as part of the choir. Well, in fact, since many of these seats were

Welcome not occupied I was able to sneak up to the front row as the performance commenced and exchanged nods with Sir Thomas as he sang a truly wonderful ‘O, du mein holder Abendstern’.

The second event in February 2020, produced by Vicky Brown, was even more spectacular drawing on talent from the Northeast, distributed across the choir and orchestra.

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It was wonderfully emotional evening concluded by an encore of ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ and how very appropriate that would be.

It was to be Sir Tom’s last public singing performance, his rendition of ‘Avant de quitter ces Lieux’ was unforgettable and all the more poignant that in a couple of weeks’ time the country would be locked down.

The Ann Dobson Hall was packed replicating the atmosphere one of the great opera houses, resonating to the sound of music in all its beauty and diversity, from Mozart and Verdi to Rogers and Hammerstein.

I have experienced three Vice-Chancellors with very different styles and five Pro-Vice-Chancellors for the Colleges (now Colleges and Student Experience) including two who acted up during a couple of interregna.

All were supportive of Van Mildert College in different ways, with varying degrees of emphasis, but never put your faith in princes.

I have many people in College to thank who have helped Maureen and me along this journey. Brian Tanner (then chair of college council) imparted the essentials when we arrived from Denmark while Martin Brader (then MCR president) briefed me on the ground.

The student bodies, the JCR

and the MCR have been distinguished by great leadership none more than Lucy Egan together with Swaraj Verma, respectively.

Colleagues in the catering and housekeeping teams have demonstrated a tremendous loyalty and pride in their jobs.

Van Mildert College porters are renown across the campus for their generosity and resilience.

Staff in the Principal’s Office, following an early restructure of the team and its roles, have been outstanding with thanks to Sharon Bagnall, Liz Ryder and Jillian Turnbull, together with the more recent addition of June Alltimes.

Over the last ten years one member of the Ops team has embodied the ethos of Van

Mildert College, sic vos non vobis. His title may have changed but Ian Jackson remains the enduring friendly face of the Ops team…no job is too big or too small and he will share the news from an intellectual radio station with anyone prepared to listen.

During the last seven years nobody could have consistently contributed more to college than the Deputy Principal, Dr Victoria Brown.

Thanks Vicky for all you’ve done.

And finally my thanks to my wife Maureen for being with me through this incredible adventure, providing inspiration, support and at times common sense.

Professor David Harper Van Mildert College Principal

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The Mildertian Lucy Egan, JCR President periods of self-isolation.

Although it was a year of missed opportunities – as it was for the entire country – this time has made two things evident.

This has been an extremely unusual and challenging year for the JCR, yet as ever the wonderful students of this college found a way to overcome all of the obstacles and still make it an enjoyable and memorable one.

Just as for everyone, this year has been one of immense change. Events that have happened for years couldn’t take place for the first time.

For a large portion of the year, our societies, committees and sports teams couldn’t meet in person. Corridors in college, and houses in town couldn’t mix, and there were many

Firstly, that what we have here is so very special and should never be taken for granted. But above all, that we can adapt to any situation and come out the other side more open, innovative, and ever-passionate to preserve what we do here.

Many sports and societies continued to thrive despite the circumstances, with VMBC holding virtual fitness sessions, and VM Dance providing us with montages of their dancing from all around the country, and indeed, the world. In the final term, restrictions started to ease and the excitement and buzz around the place was

clear to see. Sports matches resumed, year groups mixed, and committees met one another away from zoom.

Against all the odds, the term culminated in some spectacular events which will be remembered for years to come.

If all this pandemic-related change hadn’t been enough, this year has seen the JCR negotiating its departure from the DSO Framework, and will go into the next academic year as an independent charity.

A massive thank you to all of the college staff – especially those on the ground – who have done so much for us in a year like no other. In particular, a thank you to Dave for all the support and guidance he has offered me, and the JCR over the past ten years, you will be missed very much!

Swaraj Verma, MCR President collaborate with the team so that my peers don’t have regrets about the things they couldn’t do, rather carry incredible memories to their successful careers ahead.

Moving to a new place, especially from abroad, can be daunting, and the MCR was pivotal to me finding my feet when I started my MBA. When I signed up for the role, my wish to represent my MCR,

involved has given me, from the friends I’ve made at the college, to the changes I’ve been able to implement.

Amidst all the turmoil we were still able to contribute in various ways:

This was also an opportunity which in turn helped me with personal development; I relished the opportunity to interact with people from diverse backgrounds, learn, understand, and explore traits & cultures.

As a community we celebrated and shared the Halloween, Christmas, Chinese New Year, Holi, Iranian New Year, Easter, and Eid, ensuring adherence to the government guidelines at the same time.

I’ve loved what getting

With no face-2-face access to

Welcome 8 the Liver’s Out community, we were able to include them through the online game night and PG meetup event.

practice by organising Pizza night, Lebanese night, Meetup at the Bankside. the list keeps on growing.

We used the surveys to collaborate with the MCR community for event suggestions and took them to

Having adroitly steered the MCR through this remarkable confluence of conflicts and challenges, I have had the

opportunity to meet incredible leaders Dave and Vicky who are always there for the students. This is also the year we bid farewell to Dave for his decade of selfless service to Van Mildert and convey wishes for his next journey.

Kate Deeming & Martin Brader, SCR Co-Presidents Armstrong, has continued to meet throughout the year via Zoom to discuss a range of books, including crime fiction, romance, Booker Prize winners, and non-fiction.

In 2020/2021, the SCR has continued to support the College through a range of events and activities, despite the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic.

SCR members have been able to attend a number of events and activities online through the Dimensions Programme and other College groups. We are very grateful to College, the JCR and MCR, for extending invitations to us. In particular, SCR members enjoyed a virtual Burns Night Formal, complete with traditional menu, speeches and online musical performances, organised by the College. We have also organised our own online events.

Over the summer, we hosted a virtual quiz and online Coffee and Cake. More recently, we hosted our first online lecture

by Dr Sarah Pearce on ‘Health, politics and a few theological reflections’, an impactful evidence-based perspective on health inequalities in the UK. The Book Club, led by Kathryn

The Annual General Meeting saw our re-appointment as Co-Presidents until December 2021, with Richard Hornby and Charlotte Imlach continuing in their roles as SCR Secretary and SCR Events Co-Ordinator respectively.

The SCR has also launched a new website, with information about our events, activities and initiatives – please do take a look and let us know if you have any ideas for next academic year. We welcome new members, particularly from our alumni community, and would be happy to hear from anyone wishing to join the SCR. As the academic year draws to a close, we are sad to say goodbye to Dave and Maureen, as Dave retires as Principal of Van Mildert College. Over the past decade, SCR members have enjoyed hearing about Dave’s research in Greenland, the Himalayas, and elsewhere, as well as the fascinating insights into local geology on

SCR walks. We would like to thank them both for their tremendous support and encouragement of the SCR over the past ten years, as well as for their help in organising events and leading activities for SCR members. Thank you Dave and Maureen!

We would also like to thank Vicky, Liz and Sharon for their continued support of the SCR, to Richard and Charlotte for their work over the year, and to Kathryn for her leadership of the Book Club.

In the next few months, we look forward to welcoming the new Principal, Professor Tom Mole, and his family to the SCR and to working with Tom to develop new initiatives through which the SCR can continue to support Van Mildert!

We send our very best wishes to you all for the year ahead.

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The Mildertian

Farewell to the Principal Professor David Harper On a warm July day, friends and colleagues gathered on Tees Lawn to say farewell to Dave and Maureen before their move to pastures new.

We woke that morning to thick fog and my heart sank as I came to the conclusion that our weeks of careful planning might have all been in vain, but I need not have worried as the sun soon broke through.

Before long we were sharing a celebratory glass of fizz with friends and colleagues on Tees Lawn in glorious sunshine.

Of course, at the time we were still in the earlier phase of COVID-19 restrictions and we had just concluded an Easter Term like no other with a revised but still ambitious series of post-exam student experience activities.

Indeed, many will remember that the much anticipated ‘freedom day’ in mid-June had been postponed so it was necessary for more COVID-19 restrictions to be in place at the event than initially planned.

Despite this, we enjoyed the happiest of days and it was wonderful to see current students, long-standing alumni, colleagues and friends reunited in-person after all of the challenges of the last academic year!

It was a fitting farewell and celebration for Dave and Maureen after a decade in the Principal’s House.

I consider it a privilege to have had the opportunity to work alongside, and learn from, Dave since I was appointed as Deputy Principal in 2014.

Our partnership over the last seven academic years has seen us navigate the challenges and unpredictability of College life, largely with good humour and hopefully, some success.

The invasion of Tyne block by a gaggle of inquisitive Swans on a Saturday afternoon, a series of unfortunate incidents involving (minor) errors of judgement by sports teams, the arrival of the great Mildert fatberg (a story for another

day!), and the College Porter, Kevin Stephenson, coming to the rescue of a disorientated terrapin found in the lake, were all memorable moments.

Dave’s time as Principal has also seen him steer the College through numerous challenges including negotiations regarding major refurbishment works, significant governance changes across the Colleges and Student Experience Division and, of course, a global pandemic.

The College is significantly richer for his leadership and his focus on building an ethos-led community based around commitments to outreach and volunteering, environmental sustainability, and intellectual curiosity, has seen the College affectionately referred to as the ‘College with the biggest heart’.

Over the course of a decade Dave has ensured that every student knows the College motto, sic vos non vobis, and everyone is proud to be a

Farewell to the Principal

Mildertian. As a former JCR President once said, ‘when Dave speaks, the student’s listen’. These are fitting words which reflect a relationship with the student community based on mutual respect and meaningful collaboration.

Dave’s leadership is, without doubt, characterised by kindness. It is in his ability to make others, including his most junior colleagues, feel valued and heard that he gets the very best out of those around him.

Getting the job done without ceremony but always to the highest of standards and with thanks and gratitude to the team are qualities that I and others will almost certainly remember and hope to emanate in our own leadership in the future.

The elation of having won the UK and Ireland Green Gown Award Finals, the joy in seeing hundreds of alumni return for the College’s 50th anniversary celebrations, consistently recording the highest number

of student volunteering hours of any Durham College, the University’s success with environmental sustainability initiatives, the growth of widening participation initiatives and development of a wide ranging College scholarship programme, and the extravaganza that was Opera by the Lake (#1 and #2) with Sir Thomas Allen are just a few examples of this.

When Dave and Maureen joined Van Mildert in 2011, they brought with them a much-loved four-legged friend, Holly the Collie! Holly and Maureen were regularly seen around College and quickly became popular newcomers.

But it is Maureen who has quietly, often without recognition, supported College activities. Whether it be driving the College mini-bus to ferry students to and from outreach activities, initiating the hugely successful College Book Club, editing the College’s 50th anniversary book ‘A Place of Water’, taking part in College

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volunteering days, organising SCR walks or supporting lectures, formals and other student-led activity, Maureen has been a much-loved and crucial part of life at Mildert.

As the celebrations at Dave and Maureens’s farewell event came to a close in July 2021, a surprise treat for Dave and Maureen arrived on stage; an ABBA tribute band! With Dave soon encouraged up onto the stage with the group, it was a wonderful atmosphere as some of Dave and Maureen’s closest supporters danced along into the late evening as the light faded.

A final rendition of ‘Thank you for the music’ was a fitting end to a special day.

Dave and Maureen, from everyone at Mildert, thank you for the music, go well, it has been a blast!

Victoria Brown

The Dimensions Programme As Michaelmas Term 2020 began, COVID-19 presented challenges across many aspects of College life.

The familiar rhythm of Michaelmas Term was disrupted and our programme of regular and much-loved events rapidly turned into a cycle of food deliveries, self-isolation and a pilot programme of lateral flow testing.

The Christmas Vacation was a welcome opportunity to re-group and as Epiphany Term arrived, we were pleased to see the return of the Dimensions programme, albeit in a virtual format.

The programme began with a fascinating Engage and Inspire

talk from Dame Sara Thornton, the UK’s Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner.

Dame Sara spoke on the topic ‘Did you know that there are 40 million modern slaves in the world today?’ to a diverse audience of students, SCR members and members of the local community. As a Former Chair of the National Police Chief’s Council and Chief Constable of Thames Valley Police, Dame Sara’s face will be familiar to many and it was a huge pleasure to be able to open our Dimensions programme for 2020/21 with her.

Just a couple of days later, Van Mildert College alumnus and former Managing Director at Deutsche Bank, Paul Sennett,

offered an invaluable session for aspiring financiers. Despite the online format, the event was very well attended and Paul’s engaging style, reflections from his own career, and top tips for graduates ensured the event was a golden opportunity for all and gave a genuine insight into the world of investment banking.

Paul was generous in following his session with a further event through which he offered CV reviews to 30 students on a one-to-one basis. We remain hugely grateful for Paul’s ongoing support for the College and willingness to spend time offering support to students in this way.

Towards the end of February, another Van Mildert College

Dimensions

alumnus, Hefin Rees QC, chaired a fantastic panel of Mildert alumni all working in the legal profession.

‘The Ultimate Guide to Careers in the Legal Profession’ offered aspiring barristers and solicitors the opportunity to hear from recent and long-standing alumni Phil Sanderson, Sarah Bousfield and Annabel Allen. It was a pleasure to virtually welcome the cheerful panel of experts back to College and particularly wonderful to hear some of their brief interludes as they reminisced about their time at Mildert!

Later in the term Dimensions offered a discussion session around the student experience at Durham with invited

speakers including Dr Jason Arday (Deputy Executive Dean in the Faculty of Social Sciences and Health), Van Mildert College students Lauren White and Isi Ali, Professor Simon Forrest (Principal of the College of St Hild and St Bede), and Lauren Brewer (President of Hild Bede Fem Soc). The session ran in conjunction with the College of St Hild and St Bede and offered an opportunity to discuss how we can improve the student experience from all across the Colleges and wider University.

In March we were pleased to welcome Matt Field, British Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina. Matt is a Van Mildert College alumnus and he offered a fabulous discussion

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session around current global affairs and his journey from Durham to Sarajevo. His session was titled ‘Global challenges in an increasingly (un)connected world’ and provided thoughtful insight into experiences and life after Mildert.

During the final week of term, we were absolutely delighted to welcome Christina Nicolotti Squires, Director of Content at Sky News, to speak in the Dimensions programme.

After editing Palatinate during her time as a student in Durham, Christina has worked across a wide range of news platforms and spent over 30 years in broadcast journalism.

A hot topic during the session was the challenges of reporting

on and during and global pandemic.

Of course, this sparked a lively discussion and, once again, we were pleased to see such an enthusiastic and lively debate take place.

As the term came to a close, the Van Mildert College Trust Annual Lecture saw Professor Dame Jane Francis, Director of British Antarctic Survey, join us for an online event. Jane spoke about ‘Antarctica – the global impact of a changing continent’ to a virtual audience of over 300 people.

The lecture is available to view on the College YouTube Channel and was followed by a smaller informal discussion with colleagues from the Department of Geography, Trustees and College staff.

The final event of the

programme came in Easter Term as Lord Anthony Hughes offered a fabulous discussion session with Van Mildert College law students. Anthony offered challenging reflections on a number of current hot topics and encouraged student to engage in robust debate.

The programme for 2020/21 certainly concluded on a high note!

Throughout the year, the Dimensions Programme Scholars (Luca, Steph, Lauren, Christy and Katy) worked their magic to ensure that the programme offered opportunities which were attractive and engaging for students.

They have not only supported the operational aspects of events but brought new and creative ideas to the table, hosted a wide range of speakers and developed skills which we hope will serve them well in the future.

Do read their reflective pieces about their time as Dimensions Programme Scholars later in The Mildertian.

Victoria Brown

Alumni Your connection to Van Mildert does not end when you graduate. You join a vibrant and active alumni community, who are a vital part of our College.

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The Mildertian

Update from the Van Mildert Association An update from the Van Mildert Association Chair, Neil Crimes.

Despite the challenges of the past year, we have attempted to still come together as an alumni community, often in unusual and interesting ways!

A highlight was the virtual Carols in the Bar which we held in December 2020 over Zoom, featuring recordings from College coupled with live and recorded contributions from Mildertians around the country.

It was wonderful to see around 60 alumni singing along to Christmas classics such as The 12 Days of Christmas and Bohemian Rhapsody! The event replaced the ‘live’ version we held for the first time the previous year, when we had a rousing time singing carols from the back room of a bar in Manchester (see photos).

Restrictions permitting, we will

either hold a physical or virtual event again this year.

The carols were preceded by our first ever virtual Annual General Meeting (AGM), which went surprising better than anticipated! The VMA relies on the support of volunteers to run and put on events and communications, so please do consider joining the committee to support us.

On the communications front, we produced a digital newsletter this year, which can be accessed at www.mildertnews.com and we also facilitated the launch of the ‘Mildert Memories’ facebook group (search Mildert Memories on Facebook to join).

This has proved a fantastic, insightful, and often revealing way for alumni to share photos and memories from their time in Durham.

A personal favourite of mine has been the photos of

letters/notifications that the college officers have had to write over the years and the photos of ball, bop and concert posters that people have kept hold of. Please do join the group and share your old pictures and memories.

Finally, looking ahead to the next year, we have a few ideas that we hope to implement.

The first is an informal picnic in a London park to allow people to meet whilst socially distanced and in the fresh air.

And the second is an event to tie in with Lumiere to be held in Durham in November 2021.

Details will follow in due course and please get in touch if you have any ideas or wish to support the association.

Neil Crimes

Alumni

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Natalie Hiller (2010 - 2013) Natalie Hiller (2010-13) has been recognised on the Shaw Trust’s Disability Power 100 List as one of the 100 most influential disabled people in the UK in 2021.

The list is an annual publication that highlights and champions the work of the many successful and influential disabled people across Britain, as nominated by the public.

Natalie studied BSc Natural Sciences at Van Mildert between 2010 and 2013.

Natalie was involved in College life throughout her three years at Van Mildert, acting as JCR Committees’ Treasurer in her second and third years. After Graduation, Natalie joined PwC as a graduate trainee and qualified as an ICAEW Chartered Accountant.

During her third year at Van Mildert, Natalie began to experience difficulties with walking and the use of her hands. Following her graduation, Natalie had direct experience of the stigma around disability that suggests disabled people cannot be intelligent or successful.

Determined to change this perception, Natalie qualified as

a chartered accountant and works in PwC’s Deals Business within Business Restructuring Services.

achievements at PwC. Natalie’s own story was featured on corporate social media, attracting significant interest.

Passionate about challenging perceptions and supporting other, Natalie has worked hard to increase disability inclusion within the accountancy profession, volunteering as National Co-Chair of PwC’s Disability Awareness Network (DAWN) since March 2019 and has been instrumental in the network’s growth.

Natalie has mentored disability network chairs overseas. She encourages future generations of disabled people into accountancy by speaking at PwC events, including delivering thought-provoking talks on disability at student recruitment events and taking part in career blog.

Natalie set up the network’s first regional subgroup, to provide support to colleagues in the north of England. This was a great success, and DAWN now has five local subgroups, as well as a nationwide buddying scheme.

Natalie’s advocacy work has extended to communications and branding. She identified a lack of disability representation in PwC’s internal design assets and worked to develop a set of illustrations featuring disabled people at work.

These launched in 2020 and have since been incorporated into corporate branding.

The same year, Natalie created a campaign to profile disabled colleagues and celebrate their

Through her achievements so far, Natalie is changing the perception of both disabled people and the accountancy profession.

Natalie Hiller

“A high achieving disabled person once told me that disabled people have the potential to achieve just as much (if not more) than everyone else, they just have to do things in a different way. I have adopted this positive mindset throughout my career, and would encourage disabled students to do the same.”

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The Mildertian

An update from our Alumni!

During Covid-19, the Van Mildert Association re-launched the Van Mildert Alumni Newsletter online. This blog has become an opportunity for fellow alumni to share their stories and favourite Mildert memories.

The below extract is taken from the Mildert Alumni News website, featuring updates from alumni who graduated 50 years ago, collated by VM Alumnus, Alan Mortby (1967-83)...

daughter living in SA and married stepsons in London (two grandsons) and Melbourne (one grand-daughter). I am contracted to Rhodes University, where I spent most of my career and still write for them and supervise postgraduates — at a distance.

Since coming to the Cape, with another Old Dunelmian, I have been organising get togethers for ODs based here and also liaising with Durham to recruit students from local schools.”

Where are they now? – 50 years after Mildert!

Alan Mortby writes from Switzerland,

Here is some news gathered by Year Rep Alan Mortby from the class that joined Mildert in 1967.

It is great to hear of the Global reach of our alumni community – if you would like to share your own news, please do get in touch.

“I am now retired after a career at the Bank of England and the Bank for International Settlements in Switzerland. My wife is Swiss, so we have now settled in Zürich. We have three children who have scattered across the globe – Australia and the UK – and are either married or engaged and I have one grandson.”

Robin Palmer writes from South Africa, “I am retired following an academic career in anthropology in South Africa. I live in a former historic naval base of the Royal Navy in Simon’s Town, now a suburb of Cape Town. I am on my second marriage with a son and a

Huw Thomas wrote: “I am now finally retired as of the end of 2018. My last job, that of Auditor General for Wales, was statutorily of fixed duration, and since its ending coincided with my 70th

birthday and getting a CBE at an investiture at Buckingham Palace, I thought it a good time to start the third age of my life.

My two sons are both married and I have in the process acquired some Czech in-laws and started experiencing life in Eastern Europe. Though my wife and I spend most of our time between North Wales and Nice.”

Dave Sterry writes from the New Forest: “I am also now retired, having spent my working life mainly in the gas industry. I now live on the south coast a mile outside the New Forest National Park boundary.”

Steve Hurst wrote: “Retired from Shell back in 2005 after 31yrs. Went from research lab to running businesses. Travelled the world and lived in Japan, South Africa, Kenya and USA. Worked part time after Shell, Non-Ex Chairman and some consultancy. Now fully retired, time with the family and still trying to improve my golf.”

Gwilym Stone

Alumni

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Join the 1965 Club A distinctive student experience which benefits the whole College community and beyond is at the very heart of the Van Mildert College ethos and is reflected in our College motto, sic vos non vobis - not for yourselves.

We are delighted that the experiences of Mildertians past and present have already been substantially enhanced through the generous support of our alumni and friends. Indeed, this support has meant that we have moved a significant way towards our goal of ensuring that no student with the motivation and enthusiasm to engage in the collegiate student experience should be limited in doing so financially.

Associate

The 1965 Club recognises the wonderful contributions from our alumni and friends and will ensure that we move a step closer to our ambitious and accessible student experience at Van Mildert College.

levels of benefits to donors and, of course, students! We hope that the benefits received by our members demonstrate our thanks to alumni for their valuable contributions to the College community.

The 1965 Club directly supports various scholarships and bursaries; from PhD Scholarships and support for internships or conference attendance, to our recently launched Engagement Bursaries scheme which seeks to widen participation in all College based activities.

So if you are already a regular donor, consider becoming a 1965 Club member so that we can appropriately thank you for all that you generously give to your College. If you’re not a donor yet, we hope that you will consider 1965 Club membership!

The 1965 Club has three tiers of support - Associate, Guardian and Keeper of the Feather each of which offers different

Guardian

More information, including how to join the 1965 Club is available by contacting the College’s Principal Office or via the Dunelm website.

Keeper

Donate £19.65 per year

Donate £19.65 per quarter

Donate £19.65 per month

You will receive:

You will receive:

You will receive:

- Hard copy of The Mildertian - Van Mildert College pin badge - Invitations to 1965 Club events

- Associate level benefits - Invitation to High Table Formal Dinner

- Guardian level benefits - SCR Membership - Invitation to Graduation Dinner

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The Mildertian

Keep in Touch We are always happy to hear from our alumni and especially enjoy hearing their news and achievements.

details is through the Dunelm webpages, which can be accessed at: www.dunelm.org.uk/

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

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

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.

Updating your details allows you to select your preferred method of communication, as well as access to a number of alumni benefits.

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.

You can connect professionally with Mildertians across the world via our LinkedIn Van Mildert group. Search ‘Van Mildert Alumni’ to join us.

If you would like any further information about how to stay in touch, please contact the Principal’s Office team via email: vm.development@durham.ac.uk

The easiest way to update your

Van Mildert College Alumni and Van Mildert Association

@VM_Alumni or @vanmildert1965 or @VM_Principal

@vanmildertcollege

Research and Scholarly Activity Van Mildert College is host to a vibrant scholarly community, with a variety of events, activities and talks hosted by members of the College’s Common Rooms throughout the academic year.

This academic year has been no exception, and whilst we were unable to host scholarly activities in person, we were still able to welcome an eclectic group of scholars, writers, politicians and artists to the College.

Indeed, the shift to virtual events and lectures, has meant that we have been able to hear from a range of international and high-level speakers, who although were not able to visit us in person at Durham, were able to share their expertise from afar.

As part of the College’s Dimensions Programme, we have hosted a wide array of events to inspire intellectual curiosity amongst our student body, alongside public lectures open to our wider College community.

Our Dimensions Programme this year was led by a committed team of Dimensions Scholars, under Deputy Principal, Dr Victoria Brown,

who have worked to produce an engaging programme of virtual content over the past academic year.

Further information about our Dimensions Scholar team can be found overleaf.

In March, Matt Field, VM Alumnus and British Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina, joined us for a lively discussion on topical global challenges, and provided engaging advice on life working in the international diplomatic environment.

Principal of Van Mildert and Professor of Palaeontology, David Harper, gave a compelling talk to the College community, entitled ‘What is on top of Everest? An Odyssey to the roof of the world’, sharing his exciting geological fieldwork and personal anecdotes.

During Summer term, SCR members heard from academic and dedicated SCR member, Dr Sarah Pearce. The talk ‘Health, Politics and a few theological reflections’, focused on the health inequalities in the UK, made all the more apparent following the COVID-19 pandemic.

The MCR continued to host several postgraduate Research Seminars in 2020, providing a platform for undergraduate and postgraduate students to introduce their current research projects to fellow members of the College community.

In addition, our postgraduate community was also joined by our newly appointed Van Mildert College Trust PhD Scholar. We were delighted to welcome Matthew McCullough to the College, following an extremely competitive application process.

Matthew reflects on his first year as Van Mildert College Trust PhD scholar, and the projects he has been involved with at the College, at the Van Mildert College Trust section of this magazine.

We look forward to the continuation of our active programme of scholarly activities next academic year!

Elizabeth Ryder

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The Mildertian

Meet our Dimensions Scholars This year’s Dimensions Programme has been brought to life in the virtual world by our dedicated team of Van Mildert College Dimensions Scholars.

Appointed in January 2021, Luca, Katy, Christy, Lauren and Stephanie have worked with Victoria Brown to produce an engaging Dimensions programme for students, staff and the wider community.

Below, some of this year’s scholars reflect on their role so far; Luca Hibell, 2nd Year Economics I knew I wanted to get involved with the Dimensions Programme from seeing how important it was, and is, to student development during my first year. COVID-19 brought about new circumstances that made everything more challenging, and I wanted to be a part of a team that would work against the challenges that Dimensions faced and continue the programme’s success.

Since I joined the team in January, I have hosted four events, including an introductory talk on Investment Banking, a talk on COVID-19 Detection Dogs, and one-to-one CV consultations with a banking veteran, which supported 38 Van Mildert College students.

During my first years at Van Mildert College I attended a few Dimensions events which had involved a dinner in the Lakeside Room. I had really enjoyed the stimulating yet friendly atmosphere created throughout the discussion and I wanted to be involved in the team behind the project.

The team and I are currently working hard to arrange further events for Michaelmas Term, as we hope to branch out and cover more niche areas that may oftentimes be missed.

I look forward to continuing our work towards developing the Dimensions Programme, and I encourage anyone and everyone who is interested in applying for any future scholarships offered by the programme to do so.

Despite the challenges of Covid-19 and the online format of the event, we have been able to plan all sorts of events, from law and finance-oriented career talks to research seminars about how dogs might be able to accurately detect Covid-19, and have had lots of participation.

Katy Gargulio, 3rd Year Classics The Dimensions Programme is an inspiring and enriching project and being part of the team organising and leading the events has been one of the highlights of my university experience.

The programme has allowed me to develop my public speaking skills and has been a great opportunity to network and meet new people, from the speakers to all the members of the team who I have been working with.

It has been the perfect experience for me to end my time here at university and I really would encourage anybody to get involved.

Academia

Christy Cheung, 2nd Year Psychology I'm Christy, a Psychology student from Canada and Hong Kong. College life has always been an exciting part of theuniversity to get involved in, and Dimensions is just the programme for a dynamic, fulfilling experience that I would highly recommend!

Initially inspired by the well-being aspect of the programme, I quickly found myself drawn to the incredible career support system the programme offers as well.

Amazed by how Van Mildert takes an extra step to inspire students to think about interesting topics beyond their department and central university careers system, I was also particularly stunned by the high quality of the events held.

As a scholar, I really enjoyed being able to closely collaborate with college staff, my fellow scholars, and distinguished guests.

Every event held was

extremely interesting in its own right, and the amount of organisation involved in an event is so satisfying as it not only challenges you to liaise efficiently, but you also really get to champion the programme amongst the student community.

Whether it be a careers-related event or a public lecture, I thoroughly enjoyed being involved this year, adding to the pride I have for College.

Lauren White, 3rd Year Philosophy & Politics The Dimensions Programme initially appealed to me as something that I could do within College to help students similar to myself that was practical and forward-thinking.

When it comes to careers, not everyone is well-connected or filled with inspiration.

If anything, being a Dimensions Scholar has opened my eyes to both. I have been able to learn from acclaimed professionals and engage with them personally, in a way that would not have been possible beforehand.

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This is both exciting and really useful as you get a feel for networking and post-uni one-on-one communications by helping to organise and promote events the professionals are part of.

The promotional part of Dimensions is also an exciting part of the Programme as there is so much you can do to get involved – be it making promotional videos, drafting e-mails, using Canva to create promotional images to be shared on social media.

This part of the Programme is great for your own experience but it is also a nice break from your degree too.

I couldn’t recommend being a Dimensions Scholar more – it is a really fulfilling role in which you are able to help others and yourself practically in a careers-focused way.

Elizabeth Ryder, Luca Hibell, Lauren White, Christy Cheung & Katy Gargulio

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

College Life

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Mildert’s Covid-19 Community As the new academic year began in September 2020, alongside the numerous health and safety concerns that now filled our daily lives, from new student ‘households’, Covid-19 isolation and testing procedures and new cleaning regimes, we were posed with a challenge; how can we pass on what it means to be a member of the Van Mildert College community?

Indeed, throughout the past year, the College’s Common Rooms have risen to the challenge, creating new events and adapting traditional ‘Mildert’ events for the new normal.

In particular, the College’s programme of virtual events grew exponentially; from lectures, wine tastings and fundraisers, to musical performances, open mic nights and evenings spent in the virtual Mildert Bar. As our new students joined us for Induction Week, our inability to visit Durham Cathedral for the usual Matriculation service and official University welcome, provided an opportunity for a new tradition to emerge. The College’s Matriculation Book

was signed by a representative from each block at Van Mildert College during a socially distanced ‘Formal’ during the first week of term.

It is hoped that this new Matriculation book will be signed by new students for many years to come.

During December, the College community came together to take part in our virtual Carols

by Candlelight service. The programme of reading and carols put together by our Hill Colleges Chaplain, Rev. Gavin Wort, featured readings from College staff, alumni and student representatives, alongside carols performed by our VMCT PhD scholar Matthew McCullough, and even an international contribution from Van Mildert Prowse Fellow and Internationally renowned Opera singer, David Wakeham.

In true Mildert fashion, the Carols service culminated in a rousing, if slightly chaotic, version of 12 Days of Christmas!

The Carols by Candlelight service, alongside videos of our College virtual events can be found on the Van Mildert

College YouTube Channel.

Across outreach, sport, theatre, music and arts, our students have risen to the challenges posed by social distancing measures, embracing new ways of engaging with their peers and the local community. More information can be found further in the ‘College Life’ section of the magazine.

Within all this, it is important to note that none of this would have been possible without the College staff team. In particular, our dedicated team of Catering, housekeeping, Porter and Reception staff, are the heart of our College community traditions, and have worked tirelessly throughout the past year to keep our College community, safe, fed and well.

As we look ahead to the next academic year and welcome a new group of students to the College, we hope to reinvigorate our College events and activities, whist still maintaining the most important tradition of all, that the Mildert community, staff and student, is at the heart of what we do.

Elizabeth Ryder

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The Mildertian

Life as a First Year Student The year at Mildert started off as it did at most universities: covid induced isolation within two weeks of arrival, then as freedom from that seemed close another national lockdown.

the lake until the end of April.

With heavy restrictions on societies and sports it has been hard to truly get stuck in. I was lucky enough to get elected as a student trustee for the Junior Common Room.

experience more parts of college life. The addition of bar ‘pods’ to Tees Lawn permitted the bar to re-open outside and despite some slightly aggressive Durham weather, university life could restart.

A story which very quickly might have become a prison novel or horror, became one of hope and welcoming.

Although all done virtually, this has been a great way to get involved with our college JCR as we take steps towards independence.

The challenges put out by the current situation, were met head on and with positive student experience on both the JCR and college agenda.

After a socially-distanced freshers’ week which put other universities to shame, events started to trickle off. Wear Block decided that even if officially college life was disrupted, no one could stop our impromptu formal, and so we went to supper as usual – dressed to the nines, with plastic candles and table cloths under our arms.

A two-week isolation with relative strangers at the beginning of the year meant that I got to know my corridor, perhaps better than any of our predecessors had.

A new rapid test launched onto the scene and Van Mildert was to be the college at the forefront. Livers-in, albeit somewhat tentatively, were invited to take part in a trial which had the potential to change the course of the pandemic which had thrown so much chaos into the world, that and free pizza!

Leaving Mildert at the end of Michaelmas term, I was looking forward to coming back in January, hopefully to a more normalized college. Little did I know that I would not return to

Adapting to live with restrictions has been hard for the college but over the year we have been gradually able to

All things considered, Mildert has welcomed a new year of students into its community with open arms and made us feel at home under rocky circumstances.

Fergus Reilly

College Life

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JCR Events Despite the circumstances, this past year has seen some incredibly special Mildert events.

Whilst the events that happen year on year couldn’t occur in the same way, the students of this college managed to adapt old formulas or even create exciting new events that will likely retain their place in the calendar as we come out the other side of the pandemic.

A highlight of Fresher’s Week was the Outdoor Cinema on Tees Lawn, equipped with a popcorn stand, outside bar, and of course, Shrek. Then we had two at-home formals during the lockdowns to retain that bit of college normality, albeit virtually.

In the final term however, although restrictions had not eased completely, we managed to pull off numerous big-scale events, giving many students an after-exams period to remember.

There was Dave’s final Principal’s Formal which saw many awards being given out, including an Honorary Life Membership of the JCR for Dave himself, which didn’t leave many dry eyes in the hall!

We also had a Mildert Day X Jam by the Lake event which saw our college celebration and the biggest free open air festival in the North East merge this year.

Regardless of the temperamental weather, many students and staff came to watch live music and experience the wonderful college atmosphere once again. In addition, there was a Summer Ball like no other held at Hardwick Hall – although unconventionally held in ‘pens’ of 24 in a socially distanced outdoor venue – there is no doubt that it will be talked about for years to come by the 1000+ attendees who attended!

There were fairground rides, food stalls, lots of entertainment, and even the highly anticipated Tinchy Stryder.

Van Mildert Charity Fashion Show also managed to go ahead against all the odds, with over 100 models gracing the stage of our infamously inclusive event.

This year, it was held in a marquee at Durham Amateur Rowing Club, and raised money for Children North East with the theme of Regeneration.

There is no doubt that these events meant so much to people as they brought us all together again as a college community, and were definitely enjoyed all the more given the challenges and distance that the past year has presented.

Lucy Egan

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The Mildertian

VM Fundraising Weekend This year, Outreach has expanded to include more fundraising within our projects, to support the College’s fundraising projects and the wider local community.

In November, we held the first ever virtual Van Mildert Outreach fundraising weekend.

Given that the event was held during the second national lockdown, we were very restricted in what fundraising events we could put on safely.

Nevertheless, the event was a huge success and raised over £1000 for our projects in donations and sales.

As part of the fundraising weekend, all of the College’s outreach projects came together to organise an

element of the fundraising, which was open to students living in and out of College.

across the colleges and CRC/CVS’s ‘Guess the Baby’ quiz was great fun!

Our new project, Community Mentoring Scheme, organised a food drive which received a large number of food and drink donations which were given to Centrepoint Sunderland.

Following the weekend, we arranged a trip to Sunderland in the College minibus to deliver the items collected from the food drive to Centrepoint Sunderland and it was great to meet the staff there!

Despite near-zero temperatures, YPP held a very successful socially distanced sponsored walk, raising a large amount for the project.

ECC designed some beautiful Christmas cards, which were so popular that they had to buy more supplies mid-way through the day to fulfil orders!

Furthermore, PSP’s Christmas boxes attracted buyers from

Going forward, it is hoped that this event can become a regular part of the Mildert Outreach calendar and can raise even more money next year when hopefully events can be held in person once more.

Sophie Rowe

College Life

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Van Mildert College Gym At the beginning of the year we got together and discussed what we thought could be improved and started prioritising tasks that would need to be done. The first thing that came to both of our minds was the long-awaited expansion into the snooker room. A generous donation from a member of the College community, allowed this plan to finally come to fruition.

Whilst the covid-19 restrictions meant that we were initially unable to open our College Gym space in the Undercroft immediately, we opened the Household Activity Space in the JCR Well with equipment

from the gym, which was open for all livers in to use within their household.

A burst pipe which unfortunately impacted some of the Main Building, and flooded the College Gym, led to the space being rejuvenated, with new flooring, redecorating and the installation of new mirrors and mats.

In terms of equipment, it became our intention to have equipment that matched the slickness of the expansion. We recognized that the free weights section and the cardio section were lacklustre at best and so, improving these areas

became a priority. After a lot of research, consulting with staff from Maiden Castle, treasury meetings, etc. we finally received a set of dumbbells ranging from 2.5kg all the way up to 50kg, meaning that no matter your experience, we meet your needs.

To conclude, it has been an extremely tough year, but it has been worth it to see the gym transform into a much more inviting place, and we hope improvements will continue to be made over the coming years.

Alice Craig

Van Mildert Talk & Support Although we were unable to host any in-person events this year, we were given a great opportunity to revamp our online presence! We have seen a wide range of campaigns, including #BlackLivesMatter, LGBTQ+ History Month and #TakeTimeToSign.

exams and we have also revamped the look of the Talk and Support logo, aesthetics and Instagram, which will be further developed with the help of our amazing new Heads of Campaigns, Scarlett Bond and Isi Ali!

Our 2020-21 Heads of Campaigns Alice Crosby and Isuri Sanchi, and our Heads of Pastoral Sophie Bodenham and Rob Welsh, did a fantastic job this year regardless of the obstacles that came our way.

We have planned a mixture of in-person and online welfare until the year’s end to ensure everyone is comfortable and safe, and our Pastoral team also looks to be a brilliant one this year, led by Joe Hoult and Jenny Anstey!

Easter term has been focused upon Stressless Welfare with

Looking forward into next year’s plans, we hope to

reinstate our place in the Freshers’ Fair, our regular Drop-Ins and last but certainly not least, our SHAG (Sexual Health & Guidance) BOP, next January!

Finally, our new exec role of Junior Welfare Officer will look after those on the team, especially at times of pressure, reminding us that no matter who you are, college welfare is here to support you!

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for regular updates!

Blessie Simbol & Sophie Bodenham

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The Mildertian

Life as an International Postgraduate Student Hi there I am Diego from Lima which is the capital of Peru.

I am quite sure that most people do not know a lot about my country or where Machu Picchu is located. I was normally asked if I commute in my country by riding lamas which is far-fetched and hilarious at the same time but at least that helps me break the ice at times.

I would dare to say that Lima and Durham are like poles apart since Lima is a bustling and cosmopolitan city that sprawled chaotically, on the other side Durham is such a calm and beautiful city where you can walk without concerns and breathe fresh air anytime.

Speaking of weather, in the UK this has been a big thing since my arrival, I have never experienced such abrupt changes in temperatures. One

day, in a span of just 15 min, I could see snow, sunlight, drizzle and afterwards a beautiful rainbow… It was mind-blowing and was the first-ever time that I saw and touched snow.

Personally, I feel that studying abroad is a turning point in my life since it was the realization of a dream that I had had over the last 5 years and it implied sacrifices across all aspects of my life. Now, I feel that this dream has become the beginning of a new path in my life.

Even though we have been going through a pandemic which was out of the blue, this situation made us feel stronger and value life. As an international student, I also have plans to stay in the UK after my MBA and find opportunities that will broaden my horizons.

Yet, I also realize that this situation is stressful for my peers in general since it put some pressure on us as our studies approach to end and because there is still uncertainty going on in the labor market. Something from my MBA that I learnt was that every person is a surprise box that eventually ends up contributing to our development. Every day we need to write something in our book of our lives… I am of the idea that at end of the day we just live once.

I still remember the first day when I arrived at Van Mildert, it was pretty hilarious because there was a guy, super affable, who looked similar to Santa Claus and I said I am too far away from home. When you live abroad, your room becomes one of the most valuable assets since it was the place where I could study

College Life

and take rest peacefully; in general, my room helped me balance out my active life and gave me a sense of privacy.

Unfortunately, I needed to quarantine for 14 days, this experience was like an ordeal since it deprived me of interacting with my housemates at the beginning.

Living in a college like Van Mildert represented a golden opportunity since it enabled me to live in a multicultural environment, my housemates’ nationalities virtually covered all the continents. Living abroad under the restrictions caused by the pandemic was a challenge since we were deprived of doing stuff that we normally could have done it as well as studying remotely led to a monotonous lifestyle.

This difficult situation was also overcome by the support of my

housemates since they were when I feel lonely and when I went through a difficult moment, they ended up being part of my family.

In some way the pandemic helped us bond with each other in a deeper and unique way since we basically had the same schedule that allowed us to manage our times better to make space for small gatherings as much as we could.

When the College catering was not available, we needed to cook something on our own.

This was also an opportunity to know more about their culture and understand the uniqueness of each person and how they are able to bring something valuable to the table.

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throughout the year since this was not something that we expected in the first place and could not enjoy the normal university life even though i acknowledge all the effort put by students and the university as a whole to run events which came in handy for all of us so that we could make the most out of academic life.

In a nutshell, this year has given me a unique experience which did not turn out as planned but it ended up being the best memory of my life since the people around me helped me understand the importance of friendship and turn an uncertain situation into a never-ending learning stage.

Diego Quispe-Arroyo On the other side, I was quite disappointed in some way with the online experience

Durham University News 32

Durham University News Durham appoints new Vice-Chancellor and Warden Professor O’Brien will be our 25th Vice-Chancellor and will join us on 4 January 2022. She will succeed Professor Stuart Corbridge, who will retire on 31 July 2021. Between 1 August 2021 and 3 January 2022, Professor Antony Long, currently Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost, will serve as Interim Vice-Chancellor and Warden.

For the last five years, Professor O’Brien has led the Humanities Division at the University of Oxford with great success. As a member of the University Council, she has been jointly responsible for the financial oversight, research strategy and equalities and access priorities of the University.

The Dogs that can sniff out COVID-19 A recent study in collaboration between the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), Medical Detection Dogs and Durham University has found that COVID-19 as a distinctive odour, that dogs can detect with up to 94 per cent accuracy.

The study, which is not yet peer-reviewed, is the most extensive of its kind to date using over 3,500 odour samples donated by the public and NHS staff.

It involved training dogs to

distinguish between infected and uninfected people alongside odour analysis and modelling.

The dogs were able to detect odour from individuals with Covid-19 regardless of whether they had symptoms or not, as well as those with two different strains, and with both high and low viral loads.

This research offers future opportunities for rapid mass testing, and the College was delighted to welcome Professor Steve Lindsay, Department of Biosciences, to speak as part of a Dimensions Public Lecture.

The Lecture can be viewed on the College’s YouTube Channel.

Durham moves up in QS World University Rankings Durham University has once again been named in the world’s top 100 universities.

In the QS World University Rankings 2022, which rank 1,300 institutions across the globe, we’ve moved up by four places to 82nd position.

In the UK, the Complete University Guide 2022, places Durham University in 6th place.

This step up in the rankings reflects our strength in world-class research and the extraordinary standard of our teaching and learning.

We’re proud to be ranked in the Top 100 of this prestigious

international league table.

As part of the new rankings, the University placed 54th globally by the world’s leading employers for the quality of our education and our graduates, reflecting the high employability prospects for our students.

Astronomers apply their skills to cancer research Experts in Astronomy and Astrophysics in the University’s Department of Physics are currently working with the NHS, healthcare researchers and biotech experts on the £1million CUP-COMP project to improve outcomes for people with cancer of unknown primary (CUP).

Scientists will use statistical methods normally used to understand the evolution of the universe to help model the success of cancer therapies across a range of datasets.

They hope the modelling can show how different therapies affect different cancers so future treatments can be tailored to individual patients.

By sharing knowledge with experts in healthcare about the analysis of huge datasets our researchers also hope to apply what they’ve learnt to better analyse images of galaxies.

Source: Durham University News

Outreach and the Arts A celebration of the outreach and artistic talents and achievements of the Van Mildert College community.

Sport, Outreach, Arts

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Outreach As with all aspects of JCR life, this year has been a difficult one for Mildert Outreach.

Nevertheless, Outreach has adapted and students have completed many hours of fantastic volunteering, both virtually and in person.

One of the most successful achievements of the year has been the revamp of the Environmental Conservation Committee.

The two directors, Izzy and Sophie, have been absolutely instrumental in restarting both the school’s aspect of the project and establishing a ‘conservation’ side which has worked with the Durham Botanic Gardens and Green Comm in planting allotments and wildflowers.

With the creation of a number of fantastic workshop material on environmental issues, the

project is in good stead to start the next academic year strongly when we can go back to schools.

YPP and CVS have both done well in adapting their projects to virtual versions, with CVS volunteers keeping regular contact via phone call during the difficult lockdown periods.

Furthermore, YPP redesigned and ran a number of highly successful school sessions over Zoom, holding workshops designed to help increase self-confidence and aspirations of young people in what has been a difficult time.

CRC are also hoping to host summer day activity sessions in June for the children and families with learning difficulties who we have been partners with for many years but have been unable to spend time with this year.

Outside of our own projects, Mildert students were one of the top contributors to the DUSVO Christmas card scheme for care homes in December.

This is further testament of our continued commitment to outreach and community volunteering, despite the challenges that we have faced during the year.

In addition, as part of a food drive for County Durham Food Bank, the College collected 76.84 kg of food, equivalent to providing 96 meals for local families in need.

Next year, we are looking forward to re-starting all of our projects hopefully in person next year and being able to work even closer with our community partners going forward.

Sophie Rowe

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The Mildertian

Theatre, Arts and Dance Following the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions to music, theatre and dance performance, we catch up with VM Dance.

An all-inclusive student-run dance society, VM Dance is a tight-knitted, friendly community that welcomes dancers from all backgrounds and abilities. Deciding that this was a year to focus on well-being; both physically and mentally, several new initiatives were rolled out, aiming to deliver as best of an experience as possible despite unprecedented circumstances.

To mark the start of a change from previous years, an initial creative focus on rebranding the society via logo and stash redesign, social media platform updates, and mascot development started off the year with a bang.

Furthering this, new opportunities were brought to the table, aiming to target firstly - physical well-being, through (i) regular stretch classes, (ii) fortnightly combo classes – where dancers learn a short excerpt of original choreography from society members, and (iii) fortnightly

beginner classes – following popular demand; and secondarily - mental well-being, through a monthly mental-wellbeing campaign that discusses and reflects on the unique issues that dancers face.

Performance-wise, VM Dance saw no shortage of such this year - though of course, with a creative twist besides the traditional fashion show and Mildert Day preparations! The annual showcase was redesigned; dancers were each assigned several lines throughout the song to choreograph and perform.

Each person’s last move would become the next person’s first move, requiring dancers to coordinate with one another.

This culminated in 3 virtual group performances showcasing 4 different styles as well as some solo, duet and trio performances.

Epiphany term saw the birth of VM Dance’s first production, but this time in a fun, new format differing from the last virtual performance. Members were invited to choreograph and teach through a hybrid of video calls and tutorials,

resulting in a very successful virtual production that told the tales of 5 very different lives.

Continuing member engagement has been at the heart of VM Dance’s operations this year, and with well-being being at the forefront of all stages of planning, every activity was designed to cater to different well-being demands whether that be a chill stretch session, a physically active commitment or a fun virtual social.

Alumni have even been coming forward to complement the achievements of VM Dance this year, giving us the motivation to continue to grow even better and stronger as a society!

Catch a glimpse of what we’ve been up to!

Youtube: Van Mildert Dance Society Facebook: VM Dance Instagram: @vmdancesoc Christy Cheung

Van Mildert College Trust

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Van Mildert College Trust The Van Mildert College Trust was established in 2009, with the aim of supporting excellence across all areas of College life, with a particular focus on promoting the energy and talent of our students.

The Trust has four key aims: Enhancing Research Promoting Learning Facilitating Career building Enabling Cultural Enrichment Following on from the Trust’s 10th Anniversary celebrations in September 2019, the Van Mildert Trust hosted a virtual Wine Tasting in February.

The session, led by Abigail Bennington, Van Mildert College Trustee and who was recently awarded a Diploma from Wine & Spirit Education Trust, brought together members of the College’s alumni and wider community for an insightful and engaging evening. Guests sampled a delightful selection of Argentinian wines, and it was wonderful to catch up on guest’s experiences of the past year, via Zoom.

A highlight of the College’s Epiphany term was certainly the annual Trust Lecture,

hosted virtually this year in collaboration with the Van Mildert Dimensions programme.

The Trust was delighted to welcome Dame Jane Francis, Director of British Antarctic Survey, who gave a fascinating talk entitled ‘Antarctica: The Global Impact of a Changing Environment’. The Lecture can be viewed on the Van Mildert College YouTube Channel.

The talk was followed by a discussion with University executive, College alumni and colleagues from the Departments of Geography and Earth Sciences, which provided further fascinating insight into the complexities of this changing landscape.

Following on from the Trust’s 10th anniversary celebrations in 2019-20, the College Trust has continued to provide financial support to the College across three key areas; our Scholarships and Bursaries programme, support for key College Common Room initiatives, and the College environment, namely the College Anniversary Garden, which has continued to thrive this year.

In particular, a key success for the Van Mildert College Trust in the past academic year, was the election of a new Van Mildert College Trust PhD Scholar, Matthew McCullough, following a rigorous application process.

The VMCT provides three years of support for students undertaking a postgraduate research doctorate, covering tuition, accommodation, living costs and other expenses. We are delighted to have Matthew, undertaking a PhD in Music, join our College community.

Overleaf, Matthew McCullough provides an insight into his first year as the Van Mildert College Trust PhD scholar, and the College projects he has been a part of in the past year.

Looking ahead, the next academic year offers further opportunities for the Trust to support excellence in all areas of College life, and we look forward to welcoming guests who have supported the College’s Trust in person again soon.

Elizabeth Ryder

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The Mildertian thoughts about the complex role that music plays in the development of our cultural and human condition.

It has been an unusual year, no doubt, but the battles with technology and closer proximity to the ether than each other haven’t stifled college activity.

Introducing the VMCT PhD Scholar, Matthew McCullough In what is now my fifth year in Durham, it has been an honour and privilege to ascend the hill and join the community as this year’s Van Mildert College Trust PhD Scholar.

My research focuses on British composers’ responses to WWI and the ways in which they helped to shape a collective and cultural memory of the conflict.

Whilst largely based in musicology, my thesis is disciplinarily nomadic in its wider observations on death, trauma, and memory, providing a stimulating intellectual challenge and one which I hope will furnish readers with

In December we gathered around the feather for some impromptu carols. Assembling musos and mildertians from a quiet Durham, we witnessed rousing voices in an array of harmonies sounding against college buildings and the cold winter’s hoarfrost.

For those unable to join us, there was of course the Mildert Carols by Candlelight; this year online. I was delighted to accompany Sam Hill and Ben Thompson in some beautifully sung carols.

We also had contributions from Associate Fellow, Matthew Morgan, our Prowse Fellow, David Wakeham, and a particularly inspired rendition of O Little Town of Bethlehem by ‘Household 7.’

Music again took centre stage in a Dimensions programme interview with choral

conductor, Ralph Allwood. I talked with Ralph about his career, the power of music, and the importance of arts education – the first in a series of ‘Choral Conversations’ to grace the Van Mildert YouTube Channel.

On a more scholarly note, it was a joy to organise an online conference on the themes of Music, Mortality, and Ritual for The Centre for Death and Life Studies; an unforgettable and inspiring day.

As I write I am preparing for a visit to Cambridge where I hope to resurrect some music

by Alan Gray from the university archives.

It’s been an utter delight to witness Mildert’s refusal to silence the arts in a time when the very depth of our sensitiveness, that thing which art reflects and for which it is a vehicle, is being tested by lockdowns and periods of isolation.

I’d like to express my gratitude to the College Trust for their generosity in allowing me to share in Mildert’s voice.

Matthew McCullough

Support Van Mildert College Trust You can support the work of Van Mildert College Trust online at www.dunelm.org.uk/donations/colleges/vanmildert Post can be sent to: VM Principal’s Office | Van Mildert College | Durham University | Mill Hill Lane | Durham | DH1 3LH

Environment In the most recent edition of The Mildertian, the College’s Green Committee and College staff team noted that they would be making efforts to reduce the use of single use plastics in College as part of the College’s PastSIX to Go Campaign.

Whilst the Covid-19 pandemic has undoubtedly posed new challenges to this aim, the College has continued to advocate for the reduction of single-use plastic, introducing reusable plastic cups for the Van Mildert College Bar. In addition, all new students have continued to receive a reusable water bottle and takeaway mug, alongside the Van Mildert College ‘Bag for Life’. The key environmental initiative for the College this year has undoubtedly been the new ‘Mildert Meadow’.

The College community has continued to raise awareness of key environmental issues, particularly the Van Mildert College Trust Lecture focusing on the global impact of Antarctica’s changing

environment, led by Professor Dame Jane Francis, Director of British Antarctic Survey.

The Meadow was developed as part of the University’s re-wilding project, which aims to convert areas of maintained grassland across key sites across the University campus, from Colleges, to Lower Mountjoy and areas within Durham City centre, to wildflower meadow.

The project in Van Mildert, spearheaded by Principal Professor Dave Harper and Community Operations Leader, Ian Jackson, aims to boost biodiversity of flora and fauna on the College grounds, particularly in creating a more bee and insect friendly environment.

Our dedicated Green Committee and Environmental Conservation Committee, alongside College staff and students living in College, came together in May to cultivate, plant and build our Mildert Meadow!

Our College Porter team also

got involved in the project, with one member of the team, Kevin, building a series of bird boxes that have been placed across the College grounds.

The Mildert Meadow on Middleton Lawn features a path, designated seating area and a Bug Hotel (or Palace), with the overall aim that in the future, as the meadow continues to thrive, it will become a space, not only for the College’s wildlife, but also for our student and staff community.

Looking ahead, the College aims to develop existing environmental initiatives, particularly with the launch of the Harper Fellowship, following David Harper’s retirement as Principal, to support environmental sustainability at Van Mildert.

We always welcome from the College community on how we can improve our sustainability.

If you would like to get involved, please email the Green Committee at green@mildert.co.uk Elizabeth Ryder

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The Mildertian

Merchandise Van Mildert College has a range of merchandise available for purchase from the Principal’s Office and online by visiting the Durham Retail Shop.

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

These items include:

We currently have the following items available: College Bear College Tie

Limited Edition Print of ‘The Lake’

£80

A Place of Water

£20

The Birth of a College

£12

£18 £25

Pendant

£15

College Cufflinks

£20

College Scarf

£35

Please contact the College Principal’s Office for all queries.

Introducing...

Van Mildert College KeepCups

The Lake Roar Kjærnstad

The Lake by Roar Kjærnstad (45 x 20 cm, print).

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

Available in a range of colours for £10.

To purchase, please contact the Principal’s Office.

A limited run of 50 prints, many hand-tinted, is available on a first-come first-served basis. To purchase one of these prints, please contact vm.development@durham.ac.uk

Merchandise

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’ was 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 still available for purchase.

To order your copy, please contact the Principal’s Office 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

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 first Master.

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

To order your copy, please contact the Principal’s Office 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 Office Email: vm.development@durham.ac.uk 0191 334 7092

Van Mildert College Alumni and Van Mildert Association

@vanmildert1965 / @VM_Alumni / @VM_Principal

@vanmildertcollege

Web:

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

Editor: Elizabeth Ryder