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Rhodes Trust 120th Anniversary Reunion

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120th Programme

Thursday 29 June

Timing Session Confirmed Speakers
9.30-10.30
Welcome to Rhodes House

Warden Elizabeth Kiss will lead a warm welcome to the 120th Anniversary Reunion. This will be followed by Mat Davis, Director of Estates, who will deliver a comprehensive talk on the redevelopments of the reimagined Rhodes House.

Attendees are welcome to join early between 08:45 and 09:15 to explore Rhodes House.

  • Elizabeth Kiss (Virginia & Balliol 1983), Warden & CEO, The Rhodes Trust
  • Mat Davies, Director of Estates, The Rhodes Trust
9.30-10.30
Sector Connect:
- Education & Learning
- Humanities, Arts & Culture
- Global Affairs & Security

This session allows Rhodes Scholars to meet others within the community who either work within or have an interest in Education & Learning, Arts & Culture or Global Affairs and Security.

Pick the topic that interests you the most and come along to informally chat and network with others who may be facing the challenges you are trying to solve in this sector, with the prospect of finding potential collaboration opportunities. These sessions will be facilitated by alumni co-hosts.

Education & Learning:  
  • Christopher Eisgruber (Oregon & University 1983)
  • Carolyn Evans (Victoria & Exeter 1995) 
Humanities, Arts & Culture:  
  • Rachel Skokowski (California & University 2015) 
Global Affairs & Security:   
  • Emelia Probasco (Maryland/DC & Wolfson 2002)
  • David Rodin (New Zealand & Magdalen 1993) 
9.30-10.30
Power Talks

Join us for a series of 15-minute flash talks on some of today’s most critical issues, followed by a Q&A with the audience.

  • Mason Ji (Washington & St Antony's 2016)
  • Ngaire Woods (New Zealand & Balliol 1987)
11.30-12.30
Welcome to Rhodes House

Warden Elizabeth Kiss will lead a warm welcome to the 120th Anniversary Reunion. This will be followed by Mat Davis, Director of Estates, who will deliver a comprehensive talk on the redevelopments of the reimagined Rhodes House.

Attendees are welcome to join early between 08:45 and 09:15 to explore Rhodes House.

  • Elizabeth Kiss (Virginia & Balliol 1983), Warden & CEO, The Rhodes Trust 
  • Mat Davies, Director of Estates, The Rhodes Trust 
11.30-12.30
Sector Connect:
- Science & Innovation
- Journalism & Authorship
- Government & The Public Sector

This session allows Rhodes Scholars to meet others within the community who either work within or have an interest in Science & Innovation, Journalism & Authorship, or Government & The Public Sector.

Pick the topic that interests you the most and come along to informally chat and network with others who may be facing the challenges you are trying to solve in this sector, with the prospect of finding potential collaboration opportunities. These sessions will be facilitated by alumni co-hosts.

Science & Innovation:
  • Sean Gourley (New Zealand & Balliol 2002) 
Journalism & Authorship:
  • Lissa Muscatine (California & Wadham 1977)
  • Dylan Barry (South Africa-at-Large & Merton 2018)
Government & Public sector:
  • Arthur Mutambara (Zimbabwe & Merton 1991) 
  • Bronte Adams (Western Australia & Balliol 1986) 
11.30-12.30
The Long and Winding Rhodes

A lively conversation looking back and forward, for all classes, fields, and constituencies. These stories will enable the audience to reflect and comment on similarities and differences with their own Rhodes path and discuss their hopes and expectations for the future of the Rhodes Scholarships and our lifelong fellowship.

  • Nick Allard (New York and Merton 1974)
11.30-12.30
Scholar in Residence led-programming
 
13.30-14.30
Welcome to Rhodes House

Warden Elizabeth Kiss will lead a warm welcome to the 120th Anniversary Reunion. This will be followed by Mat Davis, Director of Estates, who will deliver a comprehensive talk on the redevelopments of the reimagined Rhodes House.

  • Elizabeth Kiss (Virginia & Balliol 1983), Warden & CEO, The Rhodes Trust 
  • Mat Davies, Director of Estates, The Rhodes Trust 
13.30-14.30
Celebrating Alain Locke (Pennsylvania & Hertford 1907) and supporting future research

Join us at the Rothermere American Institute as we discuss African American scholarship at Oxford University, focussing on the life and work of Oxford’s first African American Rhodes Scholar, Alain Locke. This event will also celebrate the recent creation of the Alain Locke Collection at the Vere Harmsworth Library (VHL). Generously supported by the Association of American Rhodes Scholars, the aim of the collection is to develop our existing African American holdings and support our ambition for the VHL to become the leading centre for the study of African American history, politics and culture outside of the US.

 
13.30-14.30
Sector Connect:
- Not-for-Profit
- Business & Entrepreneurship
- Healthcare

This session allows Rhodes Scholars to meet others within the community who either work within or have an interest in Business & Entrepreneurship, Healthcare, or the Not-for-Profit Industry.

Pick the topic that interests you the most and come along to informally chat and network with others who may be facing the challenges you are trying to solve in this sector, with the prospect of finding potential collaboration opportunities. These sessions will be facilitated by alumni co-hosts.

Not-for-Profit:
  • Justine Munro (New Zealand & Balliol 1993)
Healthcare:
  • Sara Khalid (Pakistan & Oriel 2008) 
  • Jonathan Broomberg (South Africa-at-Large & Balliol 1985) 
14:00-15.00
Auction of Promises
 
15.30-16.30
Welcome to Rhodes House

Warden Elizabeth Kiss will lead a warm welcome to the 120th Anniversary Reunion. This will be followed by Mat Davis, Director of Estates, who will deliver a comprehensive talk on the redevelopments of the reimagined Rhodes House.

  • Elizabeth Kiss (Virginia & Balliol 1983), Warden & CEO, The Rhodes Trust 
  • Mat Davies, Director of Estates, The Rhodes Trust 
15.30-16.30
Sector Connect:
- Environment & Sustainability
- Finance & Investment
- Law

This session allows Rhodes Scholars to meet others within the community who either work within or have an interest in Environment & Sustainability, Finance & Investment, or Law.

Pick the topic that interests you the most and come along to informally chat and network with others who may be facing the challenges you are trying to solve in this sector, with the prospect of finding potential collaboration opportunities. These sessions will be facilitated by alumni co-hosts.

Environment & Sustainability:
  • Claire Wang (Utah & Linacre 2019) 
  • Pierre Van Hoeylandt (Germany & Magdalen 1993)
Finance & Investment:
  • Sanjay Chauhan (India & Worcester 1988) - Confirmed
Law:
  • Delroy Chuck (Jamaica & St Catherine’s 1973) 
  • Chimene Keitner (Maritimes & New College 1996) 
15.30-16.30
Power Talks

Join us for a series of 15-minute flash talks on some of today’s most critical issues, followed by a Q&A with the audience.

  • Jory Fleming (South Carolina & Worcester 2017)
15.30-16.30
Scholar in Residence led-programming
 
Various
College led events
 
21.00-23.00
Mega Meet & Mingle
 
21.00-23.00
'Night Owl'; Unlikeminded Open Mic

Join us at our ‘Unlikeminded Open Mic’ and prepare to be impressed by the range of talents in our community! Alumni, Scholars in Residence, family, and friends are welcome to take to the stage to demonstrate their creative talents, whether musical, poetic, comedic, or anything else suited to the art of performance. If you’re looking to make more personal connections, head over to our simultaneous ‘Mega Meet and Mingle’ which will offer a chance to get to know other members of the community. Suitability: 18+

 
21.00-23.00
'Night Owl'; Quiz

Get your thinking caps on again and put your knowledge to the test at the Rhodes Night Owl Quiz! Come with a team or we’ll help you form one on the night. Will your team be crowned the ultimate quiz winner and get your hands on the coveted Rhodes Quiz Cup?

 


Additional programming

  • Footprints Tours  
    11:00-16:00 
  • Uncomfortable Oxford Tours
    11:00-12:30, 13:00-14:30, 15:00-16:30
  • Aardman Model Making Workshop (Family) 11.30-12:30, 13:30-14:30, 15:30-16:30
  • Ideas Gallery 
    12:00-15:30 

Friday 30 June

09:30-11.00
Reflections on the Scholarship's History and Future

 

 
10.00-11.10
Rhodes Impact: Geopolitics and Global Affairs with Welcome address from Vice Chancellor, Professor Irene Tracey
  • Trudi Makhaya (South Africa-at-Large & St Antony's 2002) 
  • Eleanor Brown (Jamaica & Balliol 1995) 
  • Meg Whitman 
10.00-11.00
Pivotal Moments in the Trust’s History
 
10.00-11.00
Rhodes Impact: Law and Human Rights
  • Edwin Cameron (South Africa-at-large & Keble 1976)
  • Menaka Guruswamy (India & University 1998)
  • Jennifer Robinson (Australia-at-Large & Balliol 2006)
10.00-11.00
Scholar in Residence led-programming 
 
11.30-12.30
Rhodes Impact: Business & Entrepreneurship
  • John McCall MacBain (Québec & Wadham 1980)
11.30-12.30
Rhodes Scholarship 'Trailblazers'
  • Eileen Lach
  • Loyiso Nongxa (South Africa-at-Large & Balliol 1978)
  • Calvin Runnels (Georgia & Balliol 2018)
  • Richard Morales (New York & Christ Church 1976)
11.30-12.30
Community Dialogues

Community Dialogues are a chance for the wider Rhodes Alumni community to engage with the Rhodes Trust and learn more about its current areas of focus, raise any concerns and be kept informed about new initiatives.

(Ends 12.45)

 
11.30-12.30
Scholar in Residence led-programming 
 
15.00-16.00
Rhodes Impact: Education and Learning
  • Aly Kassam-Remtulla (Prairies & Balliol 1999)
  • Maxine Williams (Commonwealth Caribbean & St Catherine's 1992)
  • Sylvia Burwell (West Virginia & Worcester 1987)
  • Chisanga Puta-Chekwe (Zambia & Exeter 1976)
15.00-16.00
Rhodes Impact: Healthcare
 
15.00-16.00
Rhodes Impact: Climate Change
  • Cameron Hepburn (Australia-at-Large & Magdalen 2000)
  • Zinta Zommers (Ontario & Wolfson 2003)
  • Varun Sivaram (California & St John's 2011)
  • Harj Narulla (New South Wales & St John's 2016)
15.00-16.00
Partner Programmes of the Rhodes Trust

Join Schmidt Science Fellows, Rise Global Winners, and Atlantic Fellows to explore how the partner programmes and the Rhodes Trust come together with a shared goal to develop and support leaders with ambition to make a positive difference in the world. Meet Fellows and Winners and hear more about the different programmes, their global activities, and missions - and listen to Rhodes Trust leaders outline how the partner programmes and a 'fellowship of fellowships' strengthen the Rhodes community and long-term vision.

 
15.00-16.00
Scholar in Residence led-programming 
 
16.30-17.45
Community Dialogues

Community Dialogues are a chance for the wider Rhodes Alumni community to engage with the Rhodes Trust and learn more about its current areas of focus, raise any concerns and be kept informed about new initiatives.

 
21.00-23.00
'Night Owl'; Music Workshop
 
21.00-23.00
'Night Owl'; FAILfaire

Failure is inevitable. In fact, it’s essential – to learning, to persisting, to remembering that we are only human. In the Rhodes community, it can be especially hard to be open about failure, which is exactly why being candid and celebrating risk-taking is so important! Come ready to hear straight-up tales of epic mistakes – and to celebrate your brave fellows taking the stage. You’ll feel so inspired that you might just get up to share your own tale during the session.

 


Additional programming

  • Natty Mark Samuels: African and Caribbean Folklore Family Workshop (Family)
    10.00-12.00
  • Modern Art Oxford Curatorial Tour 10.00-11.00, 15.00-16.00
  • Story Museum Tour (Family) 10.00-11.30, 15.00-16.30
  • Uncomfortable Oxford Tours 12.00-13.30
  • Ideas Gallery 
    12.30-14.30 

Saturday 1 July

8.30-9.30
Memorial Service

A service honouring the alumni and members of the Rhodes Community whose deaths were recorded between 2013 and 2023. This service will take place with a humanist celebrant at Harris Manchester College Chapel. Whilst The Rhodes Trust have opted for a humanist ceremony, we would like to encourage all our attendees to practice their own beliefs in any way they wish.

10.00-12.00
Welcomes and Keynote addresses at the Sheldonian
10.00-12.00
Scholar in Residence led-programming 
15.00-16.00
Keynote with Michael Sandel (Massachusetts & Balliol 1975)
16.00-16.30
The Next 120 Years
15.00-16.00
Scholar in Residence led-programming 
18:00-19:30
Reception at the Ashmolean and Pitt Rivers Museum
20:00-late
Gala Dinner


Additional programming

  • Uncomfortable Oxford Tours 12.00-13.30