A View From The Top

Emma (right) and I, sans hard hats, on the rooftops of Fitzwilliam College

A Fitzwilliam first for me today!

My Development Officer in crime and I ventured onto the college roof to test the new office camera and to keep track of construction on the new library, our latest fundraising project. Shuffling through an unassuming cleaning cupboard, one of the maintenance managers led us up a ladder and to an exciting and fresh perspective of the college. Luckily the sun was shining and we captured some great shots.

The Central Building and the Law Library. What a view!

A close-up of the famous Dining Hall roof

Construction for the new library continues next to The Grove

Harvey McGrath Donates £3.6 million

Philanthropist and former hedge fund titan, Harvey McGrath has announced that he will be making a gift of £3.6 million to St. Catherine’s College, Cambridge. The donation will support the institution's teaching and building projects. The announcement follows McGrath’s recent £4 million gift to the University of Cambridge.

McGrath is a founding donor and trustee of New Philanthropy Capital, a research based charity which gives guidance and advice to donors and a trustee of Charity Technology Trust and The Royal Anniversary Trust. He graduated from Cambridge in 1974 and holds an MA in Geography.

Quote from the University of Cambridge website:
Harvey McGrath said: "My strong conviction is that Cambridge must continue to provide world class education to the brightest candidates from all backgrounds, and do so in a collegiate environment that will enrich the rest of their lives. That means funding widening access initiatives, teaching posts and improvements to college facilities and I am very pleased to assist both St Catharine's and the University in these ways."

Cambridge Insider Day

David Starkey and the University's Vice-Chancellor, Alison Richard at the first annual Insider Day at Murray Edwards College, University of Cambridge

On Saturday I hopped over to the freshly christened Murray Edwards College (formerly New Hall) for the first annual Insider Day. Organized by Cambridge Alumni Relations Office, the event was pitched as an opportunity for representatives of Cambridge regional societies from around the world to gather ideas, exchange experiences and receive support.

Undoubtedly, the highlight of the day was an enthralling talk by Fitzwilliam alumnus David Starkey on British identity. From the Roman origins of Britannia through to the Act of Union in 1707 and subsequent developments, Dr. Starkey took us on an exhilarating journey on the history of nationalism and identity in the UK.

The lecture was followed by a reception in the Fellows' Garden. I had the privilege of meeting some fascinating people including Anne Lonsdale, President of Murray Edwards College, and a King’s alumnus who recounted his days in Cambridge when he regularly dined at High Table with Nobel author and King's Fellow, E.M. Forster.