Welcoming back Rhodes alumni - 'wonderful day, wonderful memories'
Over 400 Rhodes Scholars from seven decades and many countries were warmly welcomed back to Rhodes House over the Oxford University Alumni Weekend, marking important anniversaries, contributing their ideas, and engaging with fellow Scholars, including many current Rhodes Scholars in Oxford.
A drinks reception on Friday 24 September marked the 40th anniversary of the reinstatement in 1970 of the Rhodes Scholarships from Germany. It also honoured the outstanding contribution of Thomas Böcking (Germany & University College 1970) and Silvia Böcking to the Rhodes Scholarships. Thomas has served as German National Secretary to the Rhodes Trust since 1979, and will be succeeded in January 2011 by Professor Hannes Unberath (Germany & Worcester 1997).
Joining the celebrations were Thomas's fellow German Scholar of 1970, Lippold von Klencke (Germany & St John’s 1970), and Lady (Gill) Williams. Read the Warden’s speech from the German reception.
The Chancellor of Oxford University, Lord Patten of Barnes, speaking at a dinner which he and the Vice-Chancellor hosted at Rhodes House later that night, also paid tribute to the important contribution of Thomas and Silvia Böcking to Oxford, and welcomed Hannes Unberath to his new role.
Lord Patten spoke of the Rhodes Scholarships as a ‘jewel in the crown’ of Oxford, and as ‘the oldest and perhaps the most prestigious scholarship in the world’. He referred to several Rhodes Scholars among the many leaders of government and other fields who were Oxford graduates, and spoke also of the great significance of German students at Oxford.
Lady Williams, who with Warden Sir Edgar (‘Bill’) Williams was at Rhodes House from 1952 to 1980, was guest of honour at the luncheon held on Saturday 25 September to mark the 50th anniversary of ‘coming up’ for the Rhodes class of 1960. In his welcome speech, Dr Donald Markwell, Warden of Rhodes House, reflected on the remarkable achievements of the cohort of Scholars who came to Oxford 50 years ago, and their contributions to promoting the public good across the world.
John Price (Iowa & Queen’s 1960), in a heartfelt and spirited speech in response, recalled the important pastoral role of Warden and Lady Williams, and the opportunities since afforded him as a Rhodes Scholar. Read the Warden's speech from the Class of 1960 celebration, and John Price’s reply.
Nearly 150 Scholars – from the 1940s to recently-arrived Scholars of 2010 – and their guests took part in a lively and very positive forum on ‘The Rhodes Scholarships for the 21st century’ on Saturday afternoon, 25 September. Both in plenary sessions and in a dozen small-group discussions, Scholars actively contributed ideas in response to key strategic questions posed by the Warden, all focussed on how we give the best effect in the 21st century to the great values on which the Rhodes Scholarships are founded.
Ideas touched on many subjects - including outreach and promotion of the Scholarship, selection processes, gender equity, seeking funding for Rhodes Scholarships for emerging countries not yet served by the Scholarships, and the simple need, as one participant put it, for ‘much more cash’ to secure the Scholarships for the future. The Warden, who spoke of how other recent consultations of Scholars had achieved tangible outcomes, warmly thanked participants for their valuable and constructive input, which he said would make a real difference.
Sunday saw over 300 Scholars and guests enjoy a Brunch and Open House at Rhodes House. Highlights included the beautiful singing of the choir of Trinityhouse School in Johannesburg, featuring traditional choral and Southern African songs, and ‘the Great Rhodes Non-Trivial Pursuit’ quiz (with 15 lucky winners). The ‘Glimpses of Rhodes’ video was on display, along with Rhodes archives, and many Scholars recorded on video their thoughts on the impact of the Scholarship on their lives. The event was summed up in the words of the Scholar who wrote in the visitor’s book: ‘wonderful day, wonderful memories’.
Please enjoy the photo galleries of each event below:
