Michaelmas draws to a close and a new year beckons

Corpus Christi College Michaelmas 2023 Roundup

The Fellows' portraits will hang in Leckhampton Hall until Lent Term, when they will be moved to Old House Dining Hall.

Forty Years On • Women of Corpus

Our events to mark the 40th anniversary of the admission of female undergraduate students have begun with a look at the Women of Corpus past and present. We have launched a website to share stories of the lives and work of our female staff, students, academics and alumnae - from the bedders who have worked at Corpus for generations, to alumnae whose accomplishments range across academia, business, philanthropy, science, the arts and more, to our current students and Fellows who are breaking new ground in fields ranging from physics to playwriting.

We have been profiling a cross-section of alumnae to reflect different cohorts, subjects and pathways. Their presence on the Corpus LinkedIn page has attracted a lot of attention.

View the Profiles

All our current Fellows, including Life Fellows and Guild Fellows have been photographed in a location of the sitter's choosing with items reflecting their work and inspirations. These Forty Years On portraits can also be viewed online.

View the Portraits

The Pelican

We're delighted to say that after a two-year hiatus, The Pelican is back, redesigned and full of news from Corpuscles in Cambridge and beyond. You'll find coverage of the 60th anniversary of Leckhampton, stories of scientific breakthroughs and the successful ventures of our alumni, profiles of female Fellows - and even a Corpus Crossword!

Read The Pelican online

ALUMNI NEWS

It has been a busy term on the events front, with a pre 1965 reunion at Leckhampton on a glorious Autumn day on 6 October. In early November, we celebrated 30 years of Classics, and on Armistice Day, Peter Martland spoke about his new book Lost Generations. On 25 November we hosted a Bridging Course Dinner for all four cohorts, shortly followed by the Corpus Association Dinner on 30 November. We wrapped up our activities with our annual Friends of Corpus Carol Service on 3 December with a wonderful 100 guests in attendance.

1993 London Reunion

The matriculating year of 1993 recently reunited to look back on 30 years of friendship. Friends from other years joined the fun, with over 60 Corpuscles sharing a convivial evening in East London. Warm reminiscences and comparing of notes from the three decades were facilitated by a few drinks and a nostalgic soundtrack. A fine evening was had by all.

If you would like to hold a get-together for your matriculation year group, the Development Office can help you send out your invitation for your event. Just contact Jack Clarkson Alumni Relations and Events Manager.

Historical map of Cambridge paints a portrait of the past

A new map that shows the location of Cambridge buildings, industries and green spaces since the Middle Ages has been released by the Historic Towns Trust (HTT). Here alumnus and HTT trustee James Winterbotham (m1976) tells us about his involvement, his ambitions for its future and how the project has sparked a renewed interest in medieval history. The map gives an overview of the history and topography of the city, showing the many layers of occupation over the centuries, from the Roman period onwards. Read more

AROUND COLLEGE

Black Men on the Couch

For Black History Month Corpus hosted a unique event in the McCrum Theatre. Black Men on the Couch was jointly organised by the University Counselling Service and Corpus Christi. During the evening, Counsellor Rotimi Akinsete interviewed three Black men associated with the University of Cambridge. All three of the panellists grew up on council estates and have gone on to become successful in different endeavours. They shared their experiences and mental health strategies.

Find out more and watch the video

L-R: Rotimi Akinsete, Pro-Vice Chancellor for Education Professor Bhaskar Vira, Jason Arday, Senior Tutor Marina Frasca-Spada, Lord Simon Woolley, George the Poet.

Charity Sculpture Project

PhD student Emma Bouckley shoots for the stars with her beautifully painted giraffe. The College is participating in a charity art project on behalf of Cambridge Standing Tall's Learning & Community Programme. The goal is to raise money for Break, a charity paving the way for children and young people who have experienced the care system. The giraffes will be placed across the city in spring 2024 in a Standing Tall sculpture trail. See more photos.

Emma won a competition held by the Admissions Office with her proposal to include British wildlife and Cambridge scenes - including our heraldic pelican.

NEWS FROM THE FELLOWSHIP

Dr Zhang is a BBSRC David Phillips Research Fellow at the Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry.

ERC Grant for Dr Jenny Zhang

The European Research Council (ERC) has awarded a grant to Fellow of Corpus Dr Jenny Zhang. The grants are part of the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme, given to excellent scientists and scholars to support them to pursue their most promising scientific ideas.

Jenny said, “I am absolutely thrilled to be awarded this unique grant, which recognises all the key ingredients needed for innovation." READ MORE

FROM THE DEVELOPMENT OFFICE

Contact the Development Office

Upcoming Travel Plans, Spring 2024

The Master, Professor Christopher Kelly, and the Development Director, Rachel Lawson, will be travelling to the United States and Asia this spring to meet with Old Members. They will be in Seattle 4-6 April, San Francisco 7-8 April, New York 9-11 April and Hong Kong 25-29 May.

There will be a drinks reception in each location to which Old Members are welcome. Please contact the Development Office if you would like to meet with them privately or attend one of the receptions.

Seattle: Friday 5 April 5-7.30pm The Fairmont Olympic Hotel, 411 University Street, Seattle
San Francisco: Monday 8 April 5-7pm venue TBC
New York: Wednesday 10 April 5.30-7.30pm Elevated NY, The Hippodrome , 1120 Avenue of the Americas, New York
Hong Kong: 25-29 May, Venue TBC

The Margaret Andrew Bursary

We are pleased to say that our recently launched Margaret Andrew Bursary for female undergraduates has reached £55k of our £150k goal thanks to 20 generous donations. One Old Member explains why she chose to donate to the Bursary: "Without Corpus, and the decision to admit women 40 years ago, it is safe to say that I would never have met my husband and our family wouldn't exist. We are delighted to be able to give a little bit back by donating in support of the Margaret Andrew Bursary, to help young women from less financially secure backgrounds access all the benefits that life at Corpus has to offer - and, we hope, to enjoy the same 'Corpus magic' that we did."