Summer 2023

Corpus Christi College, Summer 2023

From the Deputy Master

Professor Christopher Howe, Deputy Master

Director of the Parker Library Professor Philippa Hoskin discusses the Augustine Gospels in a special day of viewing for College members and the public.

It has been my privilege to take up the role of Deputy Master this term while the Master has been on sabbatical. It has been a term characterised by the intense quiet and focus of its first half, as students prepared for their exams, followed by the lively return of noise in Hall and around College as end of term celebrations unfolded.

Although the Coronation has been well covered in our two previous newsletters, it was a particular pleasure, of course, to see the Augustine Gospels feature in the ceremony at the request of the King. We are grateful to the Master and the Director of the Parker Library for representing the College on the day, and their commitment to all the behind-the-scenes planning and (four-day!) rehearsals. Another highlight, shared by the whole College community, was on Monday 19 June when the Gospels were on display in the Chapel on their return from the Coronation.

In this issue I am proud to report the outstanding recognition of our Old Members, Dr Kavitha Kishen, Kumar Iyer, Dr Emran Mian, Professor Nicola Milner, Dr Simon Pender and Thomas Stuart-Smith, who have been honoured in the King’s birthday honours list, and the award by the University of an Honorary Degree to Dr John C Taylor OBE. Congratulations to all of them and also to those of our Fellows who received academic promotions this year.

Wishing you and your families a happy summer.

College News

Academic promotions for Corpus Fellows

Six Corpus Christi academics have received promotions to professorships within the University of Cambridge.

Congratulations to Professor JD Rhodes (Modern & Medieval Languages), Dr Jonathan Morgan (Law), Dr Sam Behjati (Medicine), Dr Hugh Robinson (Physiology, Development and Neuroscience), Dr John Biggins (Engineering) and The Revd Dr Andrew Davidson (Theology). Furthermore, congratulations to Philippa Hoskin who is now (retroactively since March) also a Professor.

200 years of 'New' Court

It was the 200th anniversary of the laying of the Foundation Stone of New Court on 2 July. Read about what existed on the site beforehand, the architect William Wilkins, and the crowds that gathered on the day. Read more

Corpus Christi Day - 8 June 2023

On Thursday 8 June the College once again celebrated Corpus Christi Day. Our members and guests enjoyed morning service and Holy Communion in Chapel followed by motets sung by the Choir on the lawn.

The evening saw a celebration with the Name Day Feast and Dorothy Spens Dinner, as well as a showcase exhibition in the Parker Library. View more photos from the celebrations here

Christopher Colclough Lodge

A new residence on Grange Road at the entrance to Leckhampton Drive has been named ‘Christopher Colclough Lodge’ in recognition of the generosity of the distinguished former Fellow whose legacy enabled this purchase.

Professor Colclough's wife Sarah and son Giles were in attendance along with former colleagues of Professor Colclough and many members of the Fellowship for the unveiling of a new plaque. Christopher Colclough Lodge provides much-needed residences for fourth-year students at the Leckhampton site.

Alumni gathering with the Master in Chicago

In early May, the Master, Professor Christopher Kelly, and Ms Shawn Donnelley (a member of the board of Cambridge in America) hosted a reception for Cambridge alumni and friends at the Art Institute of Chicago following Professor Dame Mary Beard's hugely successful Boshell Foundation Lecture: 'Will the real emperor Vitellius please stand up? Finding a Roman emperor in modern art'.

Before the reception, Cambridge alumni gathered with Mary Beard in front of the Chagall windows at the Art Institute (pictured).

Student News

General Admission

On Thursday 29 June Praelector, Dr Jo Wilmott led the procession of graduating students to the Senate House. We were delighted to welcome their families and guests to College to join us in celebrating their hard work. Congratulations one and all!

View more photos

Corpus May Ball 2023

This year's May Ball was based on the theme All The World's A Stage, and the fantastic May Ball Committee (pictured) worked tirelessly to deliver a spectacular event, featuring a helter skelter (which was tried out by the Tutor for Undergraduate Admissions).

Anyone who has attended a Ball will remember the excitement of this iconic Cambridge experience. To ensure the Ball was as inclusive as possible, students who are recipients of a Cambridge Bursary could apply for a price reduction of 30-50%.

Official Survivors of May Ball 2023. Image credit @corpusmayball

May Bumps 2023

Corpus Christi College Boat Club finished off the term with a brilliant May's campaign. It was fantastic to see so many alumni at the Corpus Marquee cheering on our boats. The Club's final results were M1 +3, W1 +0, M2 +3, W2 -2.

Our students and alumni then celebrated in style at the Boat Club Dinner in the evening.

To stay up to date on all things Boat Club, and for more information on how to support our rowers, visit the CCCBC website.

View more CCCBC images on Instagram @cccbc1828

Students raise money with production of 'Taming of the Shrew'

Students showed their resilience to the British summer rains during their production of Taming of the Shrew which took place in the Fellows' Garden. Despite the downpour, the production raised nearly £500 for charity. Read more on our website

Old Member News

Dr John C Taylor OBE awarded Honorary Doctorate

Dr John C Taylor OBE was one of eight people awarded an Honorary Doctorate by the University of Cambridge on Wednesday 21 June. Dr Taylor is a tremendous supporter of Corpus and we were delighted to host a dinner in his honour. The evening was shared with members of Dr Taylor's family, close friends, and members of the College. Also in attendance was Tim Minshall who is the Dr John C Taylor Professor of Innovation and Head of the Institute of Manufacturing. Read more on our website

King's Birthday Honours 2023

Congratulations to our alumni named in the King's Birthday Honours. This year six Corpuscles received Birthday Honours, which represents over 10% of the Cambridge alumni present on the list.

Dr Emran Mian OBE (m1999 Law) was made a Companion of the Bath (CB) for services to Regeneration.

Mr Kumar Iyer (m1999 Economics) was made a Companion of the Order of St Michael & St George (CMG) for his services as Director General, Economics, Science and Technology, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Professor Nicola Milner (m1995 Archaeology) was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to Archaeology.

Mr Thomas Stuart-Smith (m1978 Natural Sciences) was made an OBE for services to Landscape Design.

And finally, married couple Dr Simon Pender (1996 Medieval European Literature) and Dr Kavitha Kishen (m2002 Physics) were both made OBEs. Simon for services to National Security and Kavitha for services to National Resilience and Diversity in Government Science and Engineering.

Read full article

Corpus in Hong Kong & Singapore

In May, Development Director, Rachel Lawson, and Admissions Tutor, Dr Michael Sutherland, enjoyed meeting schools and alumni in Hong Kong and Singapore. The trip culminated in a talk from Michael about how to make a strong application to a competitive university such as the University of Cambridge.

The College hosted an alumni dinner, during which the cherished Corpus community was celebrated and the Hong Kong Link Fellowship and Scholarship were discussed and reinvigorated with pledges of support from more Hong Kong alumni for the Scholarship scheme.

Looking forward...

Calling Corpus couples...

Did your eyes meet across New Court? Was your first date in the Pelican Bar? In preparation for our 2024 Lent Term Newsletter, we are calling on all couples of Corpus to get in touch and share your stories for a special Valentine's feature.

Share your story