The Bob and Dawn Wyllie Family Fund

In recognition of Bob and Dawn’s extraordinary contributions to the Rhodes community and to help celebrate their retirement, a group of Rhodes alumni proposed the establishment of the Bob and Dawn Wyllie Family Fund in their honour. The purpose of the fund will be to support the welfare of individual Scholars and the well-being of the Rhodes community as a whole, as a complement to the Scholars Fund.

Bob Wyllie, Porter and Head Porter at Rhodes House for over 25 years, and Dawn Wyllie, part-time Porter, retired in 2020. Bob and Dawn have been like family to many Scholars in our community. Together they opened their home, and hearts, to Scholars from around the world. Many Scholars have said that part of the reason they got through Oxford was the care, warmth and connection Bob and Dawn provided.

Defined in collaboration with Bob and Dawn, the Bob and Dawn Fund is a grassroots project, driven by peer-to-peer Scholar communications, and supported by the Trust.

Operating in the spirit of Bob and Dawn’s own contributions to the community, the Fund will be allocated by the Warden, supported by the Dean of the Rhodes Scholarships and Director of Scholar Affairs. The Family Fund will prioritize the following Scholar needs and circumstances:

Scholar Family Members Visiting Oxford

Providing resources for family members of a current Scholar to visit Oxford, particularly to attend a Scholar’s graduation ceremony or assist a Scholar facing a welfare issue.

Scholar Emergency Travel

Providing resources to support a Scholar’s emergency travel home for purposes such as: attending the funeral of a loved one; caring for the health of a sick relative; or accessing help for a personal welfare issue.

Warm Clothing Assistance

Providing additional funds for Scholars to purchase proper clothing to stay warm during Oxford’s cold weather.

Rhodes Ball Assistance

Providing funds to support a Scholar’s attendance at the Rhodes Ball (for purposes such as: paying for the cost of a ticket; and obtaining necessary attire).

Community-Enhancing Events

Provide additional resources for Scholars to organize community events (such as: small group dinners among scholars from different constituencies, disciplines, etc. to get to know each other better; field-trips to explore Oxfordshire; and events designed to include and integrate spouses and children of current scholars into the Rhodes community).

How to give

Tax-efficient gifts can be made to the Bob and Dawn Wyllie Family Fund.

In the United States via The American Trust for Oxford (ATFO).

In Canada via Rhodes Scholarships in Canada.

Giving options for all other countries can be found on our webpages.

Please note:

When making your gift please let us know your designation is for Family Fund by emailing development@rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk

Donors via ATFO can also use the ‘Additional details’ free-text field to inform us.
Donors in Canada can use the ‘In honour of’ feature and also send an eCard to Bob and Dawn