We were delighted to welcome so many alumni back to College last weekend. On Saturday 14th March, Somerville hosted two special events: the annual Spring Meeting for members of the Somerville Association, followed by a fundraising concert for our Sanctuary Scholarship programme.
The afternoon began with the Annual General Meeting of the Somerville Association, ably chaired by Dr Nermeen Varawalla. Two new members were elected to the Somerville Association Committee: Professor Jane Aspell (1995, Biological Sciences) and Pav Rahman (2018, Chemistry). We are delighted to have more scientists on board the committee!
The meeting was followed by an ‘in conversation’ event, where our guest speakers, former Chief Historian of the FCO Gill Bennett OBE (1969, History) and Sir John Scarlett KCMG, Former Chief of the Secret Intelligence Service of the United Kingdom, reflected on how Russia sees the world. It was a fascinating discussion, reflecting on how Russia’s long and complex history has shaped the psychology of the country today.
Gill Bennett OBE (1969, History) and Sir John Scarlett KCMG in conversation
Gill Bennett OBE (1969, History) and Sir John Scarlett KCMG in conversation
Gill Bennett OBE (1969, History) and Sir John Scarlett KCMG in conversation
Gill Bennett and Sir John Scarlett with Somerville Principal Catherine Royle, and Gwenda Scarlett (1967, History)
Alexander Staritt (2004, History and Modern Languages), Maria Mavridoglou (2005, Classics), Sam Gyimah (1995, PPE) and Nicky Black (LMH, 1997, Social Sciences)
After a delightful afternoon tea provided by Somerville’s catering team, alumni were invited to stay for a unique concert, held as a fundraising effort for Somerville’s Sanctuary Scholarship Programme. Performed by the Oxmoor International Chamber players, the concert consisted of music by British and American women composers, including Florence Price, Ethel Smyth, and Amy Beach, among others. The concert programme is available to read in full here. All proceeds from ticket sales will go directly towards the Sanctuary Fund. We would like to thank our alumna Susan Reigler (1977, Zoology) for all her work towards organising this very special concert.
The concert was introduced and concluded by members of the Somerville College Sanctuary community: Hadeel Abdelseid, Zainab Mohamed, Senay Gebremichael Mengistu, and Nikita Vorobiov. Against a backdrop of escalating global conflicts and increasingly stringent asylum policies, our students spoke beautifully about their journeys and hopes for the future.
Since becoming one of the UK’s first Colleges of Sanctuary in 2021, Somerville has continued its long-standing commitment, dating back to the 1930s, to supporting sanctuary-seeking students and academics. Through the Sanctuary Scholarship Programme, the College has welcomed twenty-nine scholars from regions including Ukraine, Sudan, Ethiopia and Afghanistan. The programme offers fully funded postgraduate places, covering both living costs and tuition fees, and continues to grow thanks to the generosity of our donors and alumni.
The concert was followed by a drinks reception, where alumni and supporters of the Sanctuary Fund got the chance to meet some of our newest sanctuary scholars. We have also recorded a short video with some of our sanctuary scholars, where they share a little about their academic research, hopes for the future, and what the sanctuary programme means to them.
We are extremely grateful to everyone who has supported the Sanctuary Fund already. For anyone who wishes to support this important work, you can make a donation to our Sanctuary Scholarships here.
Oxmoor International Chamber players
Oxmoor International Chamber players
Oxmoor International Chamber players
Oxmoor International Chamber players
Sanctuary Scholars Hadeel Abdelseid, Zainab Mohamed, and Senay Gebremichael Mengistu,
Sanctuary Scholars Hadeel Abdelseid, Zainab Mohamed, Senay Gebremichael Mengistu, and Nikita Vorobiov
The Sanctuary Scholars with Principal Catherine Royle
Principal Catherine Royle addresses the audience
Sanctuary Scholars Hadeel Abdelseid and Zainab Mohamed address the audience
