Message from the Master

Back to all

Written by:

Mary Hockaday, Master

Posted:

01 Jan 2024

One of the undoubted pleasures of my first year as Master has been meeting alumni
all over the UK – indeed all over the world – and from all generations. It’s been a
particular joy to meet people I knew as an undergraduate – I swear we all look just
the same – as well as those from previous and later years. So many stories and
adventures and friendships and great loyalty towards Trinity Hall.

I frequently encourage alumni to come back again and exercise dining rights. It’s become clear we could explain how a bit more clearly, so later in this edition (page 7) there’s an explainer. It really is simple. Come on your own or with friends and you’ll be very welcome to join the company on High Table. We always enjoy seeing you.

One important part of any Michaelmas term is welcoming Honorary Fellows. This year we honour five extraordinary individuals including one in absentia. Vladimir Kara-Murza (2000, History) is currently in jail in Russia for opposing Putin’s regime. There’s little we can do except shine a light on his courage. Later in the term, we’re holding a panel discussion in partnership with the Centre for Geopolitics,‘Understanding Putin’s Russia’. Throughout this coming year, some of our events will take a political hue, drawing on the expertise of Fellows and alumni, as we head towards US and UK elections in 2024. Our Alumni & Development Office will be sharing details in due course.

Meanwhile, do read the Bursar’s introduction to the Masterplan. This is a strategic review of our buildings and spaces across all our sites by architects Haworth Tompkins and environmental consultants, Expedition. We are thinking about the spaces and places we need for our whole community – students, staff and Fellows – in the years ahead. The context is the future of learning and the need to make an energy transition so we play our part in meeting the climate challenge. In time, it will lead to more detailed plans which we’ll share with you in due course. Meanwhile, Tim’s article on page 4 is a great
introduction to this impressive piece of work.

There’s plenty more to enjoy within. Dr Partner’s thoughtful artistry is wonderful. Equally inspiring is the work of THEN, our entrepreneurs network, particularly in how it supports the wider social enterprise community as well as our own students.

You’ll see in the News section that we’re welcoming a new Senior Tutor, Dr Michael Sutherland, who succeed
Dr Clare Jackson, after a transformational decade in the post. Dr Sutherland is a physicist and former Director of Admissions at Corpus Christi College. He’s just back from a holiday navigating the rapids of Canada by canoe. He’ll find a warm Trinity Hall welcome as he helps us develop our academic strategy so we can make sure our students continue to achieve academic excellence – as well asabsorb something of Michael’s spirit of adventure.