Three members of Rhodes community recognised as 'Distinguished Friends of Oxford'
Three members of the Rhodes community - Lord Waldegrave (Chairman of the Rhodes Trustees), Thomas Bӧcking (Germany & University 1970), and Peter S. Paine Jr (New York & Christ Church 1957) - are to be recognised by the University of Oxford as 'Distinguished Friends of Oxford'.
Since 1997, exceptional volunteers on behalf of the collegiate University have been recognised as Distinguished Friends. Of the 55 individuals recognised with this award to date, 16 are Rhodes Scholars, and one a Rhodes Trustee.
Christine Fairchild, Oxford's Director of Alumni Relations, said that 'Rhodes Scholars continue to lead as remarkable ambassadors for the University of Oxford.'
'The 2011 recipients of the Distinguished Friend of Oxford Award personify leadership and integrity. We are extremely grateful for their on-going dedication and support and salute them as they are recognised with this important and well-deserved honour', she said.
Lord Waldegrave of North Hill (an Honorary Fellow of Corpus Christi College and a Distinguished Fellow of All Souls) has been recognised for his exceptional contribution to Oxford through the Rhodes Trust, where he has served as Chairman of the Rhodes Trustees since 2002, and as a Rhodes Trustee since 1992. He retires as Chairman in December 2011.
As Chairman, Lord Waldegrave has overseen the appointments of Sir Colin Lucas and Dr Donald Markwell as Warden of Rhodes House. He has provided clear-minded and warm-hearted leadership in, for example, refreshing governance and engaging Rhodes alumni in dialogue about how to give best effect in the 21st century to the ideals on which the Rhodes Scholarships were founded.
Lord Waldegrave has also helped to lead the creation and growth of the highly successful Mandela Rhodes Foundation. As Nelson Mandela recently wrote in recognition of Lord Waldegrave's crucial role: ‘The Mandela Rhodes Foundation could not have come into being, and could not have achieved what it has achieved, without the extraordinary vision and courageous support it received, unwaveringly, from the Chairman of the Rhodes Trust… I wanted to express my deepest appreciation for what you have done in support of the shared dream to build exceptional leadership among a new generation of young Africans.’
Thomas Böcking (Germany & University College 1970) has been recognised for his service as German National Secretary to the Rhodes Trust from 1979 to 2010, in which he has been strongly supported by Silvia Böcking. The exceptional contribution of Thomas and Silvia Böcking has also been celebrated through recent Rhodes events in Germany and Oxford.
During his 31 years as German National Secretary, responsible for the Rhodes Scholarships in Germany, Thomas worked with six Wardens of Rhodes House and eight chairmen of German Rhodes selection committees, helping to elect dozens of Scholars from Germany to study in Oxford.
Thomas's work promoting study in Oxford through the Rhodes Scholarships has contributed to the development of the very strong German presence in Oxford (among students and academic staff), and has more broadly contributed to Anglo-German friendship. He remains a very loyal member of University College.
Peter S. Paine Jr (New York & Christ Church 1957) is being recognised especially for his work with Christ Church, including in the founding of the Fowler Hamilton Visiting Fellowship and the American Friends Scholarships, both of which have brought dedicated scholars to the University of Oxford. He has also been recognised for this work with Old Members in the US, in particular reinforcing ties with Oxford in the New York area.
Peter Paine is also a very loyal Rhodes Scholar, who maintains close contact with Rhodes House and whose support for the Rhodes Scholarships is much appreciated.
The Distinguished Friends of Oxford award ceremony will take place on Friday 16 September 2011, during the University of Oxford Alumni Weekend.
Events at Rhodes House that weekend, to which all Rhodes Scholars are invited, include a reception in honour of Lord Waldegrave on his retirement as Chairman of the Rhodes Trustees.
For more information about the Distinguished Friends of Oxford, please click here.
