Univ’s Development and Alumni Relations Office organises a wide range of alumni events, including year and subject group reunions, seminars and sporting events.
Reunions often take the form of a lunch, afternoon tea or dinner, and frequently include a presentation by a Fellow or other member of the College, or a seminar.
Some events are organised alongside the University’s main alumni events programme, such as the Alumni Weekend in the autumn, or the North American and European Reunion.
Events are organised throughout the year at College and elsewhere, including London and many parts of the world. Details can be found on our Events page and reports on many events can be read on our News and Features pages.
“No matter how long we’re away, there is something so compelling about Univ that means whenever we return, it always feels like coming home.” – Damian Sandys (1998, English)
Further details of events organised by the Development and Alumni Relations Office, and a small selection of photographs, can be found below.
Sometimes a group of years, for example, 1980-1983, will be invited to attend a Gaudy. Baroness Amos, the Master, normally attends all Gaudies and other reunions, and Univ Fellows, the Chaplain and representatives from the Development and Alumni Relations Office are also invited to attend. Gaudies usually include a drinks reception, a presentation by a Fellow, a black-tie dinner in Hall, and speeches by the Master and an Old Member.
For more than a dozen years the Univ Annual Seminar has taken place in the autumn, with all members of the College – past and present – invited to attend. The Seminar focuses on a topical theme and panel members (who are Old Members of the College) are invited to respond. The Seminar is chaired by the Master with previous topics including “Beyond Fantasy or Fear: The Future of Britain Outside the European Union” (2014), “The Crisis of the Home: the Delicate Balance Between Britain’s Housing Crunch and its Environmental Commitments” (2015), and “How can the Government Meet the Challenges of Brexit?” (2016).
All members of the College – past and present – are automatically members of the Univ Society and are invited to attend the annual dinner in London. The 13th Univ Society London Dinner was held in February 2017 at the RAC, London. Previous guest speakers have included Roz Savage (1986, Law), Paul Gambaccini (1970, PPE), Christina Lamb (1983, PPE), Colin Moynihan (1974, PPE), John Ritch (1965, PPE) and Jonathan Powell (1974, History).
A special carol service to celebrate advent is held in Univ Chapel each year for Old Members of the College, followed by mulled wine and mince pies in Hall.
The College provides an annual day for those Old Members and friends who have very kindly made provision for Univ in their will. The programme generally includes lunch, a drinks reception, a talk or presentation and a special performance of that year’s Garden Play by the Univ Players.
Since 2020, the College has been running virtual events to bring together alumni, students, Fellows and friends of the College from around the world.