On a bright Thursday in May, over 100 Somervillian alumni, fellows and friends gathered at the first of several events to recognise the contribution of Jan Royall, Somerville’s Principal for the past eight years.
The event was held at the House of Lords and brought together several of Jan’s political colleagues alongside major benefactors, friends, colleagues and former students. Following introductions by current Vice-Principal Professor Benjamin Thompson, the tributes were led by Lord Patten of Barnes, who, as former Chancellor of the University, was Jan’s close colleague during their time at Oxford.
During his speech, Lord Patten shared the charming story of his middle daughter remonstrating with him for describing someone as “nice” – that’s too bland an adjective, Dad, she complained. To which Lord Patten countered that he would tell her about someone who is very nice indeed, but never bland, and that’s Jan Royall. Through her sincere commitment to values-based leadership, Lord Patten continued, through her international advocacy and, above all, through her exuberant, irrepressible passion for education and young people’s futures, Jan was ‘good for Oxford, and fantastic for Somerville.’
Baroness Jan Royall
Somerville alumnus Asif
Lord Patten speaks about Jan
Professor Radhika Khosla, Research Director of the Oxford India Centre for Sustainable Development
Development Board Co-Chair Sybella Stanley
Jan with Lord Patten and Lord Kinnock
Professor Radhika Khosla with Fahana Yamin
Jan with alumna Neeta Patel
Dr Nermeen Varawalla, President of the Somerville Association, with alumna Sheena Singla
The House of Lords
The view from the House of Lords
Guests next heard from Professor Radhika Khosla, Research Director of the OICSD. Professor Khosla singled out Jan’s egalitarianism, noting how Jan’s ability to listen to and learn from everyone has helped build new and enduring friendships between Oxford and India, including the transformative donation that will create the Ratan Tata Building, the first building at Oxford with an Indian name. Professor Khosla ended by noting that, having once been rather intimidated by Somerville’s new Principal, she could confirm that Jan is not merely a leader of distinction, but a rock star on the dancefloor.
Our third speaker was Asif, whose time as Somerville’s first undergraduate Sanctuary Scholar, symbolises one of Jan’s signature innovations: the transition of Somerville to a College of Sanctuary. Asif fled the Taliban in his native Afghanistan aged 14, and made the long, perilous journey to the UK as an unaccompanied minor. Having learned English and excelled at school, Asif applied to Somerville after seeing Jan in conversation with Alf Dubs at a Somerville Sanctuary event. Asif ended his speech by recounting the story of receiving his longed-for UK citizenship. Jan, who had helped with the process, noticed that Asif seemed nervous. Who’s coming with you on the day, Jan asked. No one, Asif replied. Oh, I can come if you like, Jan said, and duly attended as the only other person besides the registrar, at the ceremony which enabled Asif to be reunited with his family for the first time in ten years. You can read Asif’s story in full here.
We also heard from Development Board Co-Chair Sybella Stanley. Sybella thanked Jan for never forgetting that hope and shared vision are fundamental to effective leadership. In particular, Sybella praised Jan’s use of the past and present values of Somerville to craft the RISE campaign, a whole-community initiative that will guarantee an even greater future for Somerville under incoming Principal Catherine Royle.
Current students Jamie See (JCR President) and Lucy Pollock with the painter of Jan's portrait, Tania Rivilis
Student musicians performing including former Somerville Choir member Steph Garrett
Baroness Jan Royall and Somerville Vice-Principal Benjamin Thompson
Natasha Kaplinsky with Somerville alumna Lucinda Coxon and Somerville Development Director Sara Kalim
Somerville Association committee member David Blagbrough with current student Holly Cobb
Regular Giving and Alumni Relations Executive Jackie Yip with Foundation Fellow Kevin Scollan
Ayla Busch, Somerville Development Board Co-Chair, with Nisa Khan and Sam Gyimah
