On Wednesday, November 6, St Mary’s College hosted a gala dinner to celebrate the 125th anniversary.
It was a pleasure to welcome guests to St Mary’s including Durham University Chancellor, Dr Fiona Hill, and Vice-Chancellor Professor Karen O’Brien. The evening was filled with conversation as students, alumni and friends of Mary’s shared happy memories.
Welcome to St Mary’s
The evening began with guests arriving at St Mary’s College at 7pm for a pre-dinner reception. Guests, including former St Mary’s Principals Maggie Dawn, Phil Gilmartin and Jenifer Hobbs, were greeted by Event Durham and St Mary’s Alumni Officer Kellie Horrocks.
St Mary's student, Dana Al Tajer, played the piano in Kenworthy Hall as guests mingled before dinner.
There was a wide range of guests with many alumni, including former JCR Presidents, Durham University colleagues and students, who sat together at this grand event. After a welcome speech from Principal Adrian Simpson, dinner was served, and the wine was poured.
Speeches
Adrian was not the only speaker. SCR President Elizabeth Fisher spoke about “St Mary’s as it was”. As a St Mary’s alumna herself, she talked about her experiences life in college at a time when the majority of students were below the legal age of majority, and the subtle ways students subverted the consequent restrictions.
JCR President Hannah Tunnicliffe spoke about “St Mary’s as it is”, from her perspective as a recent graduate. She highlighted the way in which individual students can take part across all of the activities in college: for example, pointing to one student who is simultaneously football captain, a member of the darts team and chapel rep.
Vice Principal Kate Morrey spoke about “St Mary’s as it will be” and our hopes for the future. As well as recent refurbishments of some of the student spaces, St Mary’s has plans to work more closely with the local community including working closely with a range of schools.
Margaret Bloomfield Scholarships
As the evening drew to a close, Adrian thanked staff for all their efforts and guests for coming to this special event to mark the 125th anniversary but finished the meal with a surprise announcement.
This was that, thanks to the generous legacy of alumna Margaret Bloomfield the college has been able to set up the first permanently endowed full scholarships for students from lower-income households in its 125 year history. Alongside other existing donations, this transformational gift will support the college in attracting a diverse range of undergraduates.
Reflections
Since the dinner, St Mary’s College has been inundated with thanks and positive messages about the event.
Adrian Simpson said:
“It is a privilege to be St Mary’s Principal, but a particular privilege to be Principal as the college celebrates such an important milestone. It was an honour to welcome the Chancellor, Fiona Hill and Vice-Chancellor Karen O’Brien, to celebrate with us and enjoy the fellowship of the table alongside students, alumni and colleagues. The atmosphere in the dining hall was fantastic, full of good cheer and guests sharing happy memories.”
Chancellor Fiona Hill said:
"It was a privilege and pleasure to attend a celebration of such a remarkable place. It was a great opportunity to interact with current students and alumni to hear about their deep affection and gratitude for their college".
Vice Chancellor Karen O’Brien said:
“It was a great privilege and pleasure to join the alumni, students and friends of Mary’s to celebrate 125 years of community, creativity and ambition. I am looking forward to what the coming years will bring. We are enormously grateful to those who are helping us to make Mary’s an opportunity for an ever wider group of talented students.”
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