1980-1983 Gaudy

1980-1983 Gaudy On 16 March we welcomed back Univ OMs who matriculated between 1980 and 1983. Tea in the Master’s Lodgings was followed by a panel discussion and exhibition on the histories of women at Univ. A Chapel service occurred with drinks served in the Butler and Alington Rooms and a black tie dinner in Hall.

As part of 40th anniversary of women at Univ celebration, Dr Laura Varnam, Lecturer in Old and Middle English Literature, Dr Robin Darwall-Smith (1982, Classics), College Archivist, and Elizabeth Adams, College Librarian, put together an exhibition entitled “Women at Univ: 1249-2019” from the College archives.

The exhibition explored the academic achievement of women at Univ but also demonstrated the long history of women’s involvement with the College going back to the medieval period. The panel discussion with Laura, Robin, and Dr Catherine Holmes, A.D.M. Cox Old Members’ Tutorial Fellow in Medieval History, reflected on what the exhibition can tell us about the recovery of women’s histories in an institutional context. Old Members contributed to the panel discussion with their observations and questions as well as the thought-provoking photos they shared, which were displayed in a slideshow at the event.

“It’s a place of very, very happy memories, stimulating conversations and really the kind of start in academic life that one would dream of.”
Christina Lamb OBE (1983, PPE), Chief Foreign Correspondent for The Sunday Times, author of several books including I Am Malala, Farewell Kabul and The Girl from Aleppo

“I thoroughly enjoyed the Gaudy .
It was so good to see some familiar and some long lost friends.
Dinner in Hall was excellent, as were the speeches – and it was heartwarming to see this great college in such fine shape.”
Philip Bernie (1980, History), Head of BBC TV Sport

“Wonderful to return to Univ after too long away. I live in California where black tie dinners and centuries of history are in short supply. As I sat next to old friends in Hall, enjoying stimulating conversation during a delicious dinner, the decades melted away and it felt as if we’d only recently left. Univ establishes enduring experiences and friendships that survive the passing of time.”
Dr Stuart Collinson (1981, Chemistry), Partner, Forward Ventures (Venture Capital), CEO of various public and private life science companies in US and Europe (based in San Diego)

We hope you enjoy this video and selection of photos from the Gaudy.