German scholarships and national secretary celebrated
The 40th anniversary of the reinstatement of the Rhodes Scholarships from Germany in 1970, and the outstanding work of Thomas and Silvia Böcking in overseeing the German Scholarships since 1979, were celebrated at a drinks reception at Rhodes House today, and in a speech by the Chancellor of Oxford University, Lord Patten.
In a codicil to his will in 1901, Cecil Rhodes had created Scholarship from Germany alongside the Scholarships he created from the United States and various parts of what was then the British Empire, now the Commonwealth. ‘The object’, he wrote, ‘is that an understanding between the three great powers will render war impossible and educational relations make the greatest tie’.
In a speech welcoming nearly 100 guests to the reception, the Warden of Rhodes House, Dr Donald Markwell, spoke of the history and significance of the German Rhodes Scholarships. He illustrated this by reference to the lives of Adolf Schlepegrell (Germany & University College 1931), who was Thomas Böcking’s step-father, and Professor Sir Fritz Caspari (Germany & St John’s 1933), who was at the last minute prevented by illness from attending – including by reference to their links with Adam von Trott (Germany & Balliol 1931) and Albrecht Count von Bernstorff (Germany & Trinity 1909), both of whom were executed during World War II for their roles in resistance to Hitler.
The Warden paid a warm tribute to the exceptional and dedicated service which Thomas Böcking (Germany & University College 1970) and Silvia Böcking have given to the Rhodes Scholarships. Thomas retires as German National Secretary to the Rhodes Trust at the end of this year, having served since 1979, and will be succeeded in January 2011 by Professor Hannes Unberath (Germany & Worcester 1997).
On behalf of Silvia and himself, Thomas Böcking responded that serving the Rhodes Trust for over 31 years 'has been a wonderful opportunity for us both to meet outstanding young people and to help them realize their potential by sending them to Oxford'. He spoke of first learning of the Scholarships from his step-father, Adolf Schlepegrell, and said that 'Cecil Rhodes's vision has become more and imore important and topical to us over the years'.
Joining the celebrations were Thomas's fellow German Scholar of 1970, Lippold von Klencke (Germany & St John’s 1970), and Lady (Gill) Williams, who with her husband Warden Sir Edgar Williams was at Rhodes House from 1952 to 1980.
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.
A dinner in Munich on Friday 26 November will also honour Thomas and Silvia Böcking, and mark the 40th anniversary of the re-created German Scholarships.
Please read the Warden’s speech and the response given by Thomas Böcking at the German reception.
Please also enjoy the photo gallery:
