News
New graduate hostel
Posted 20 August 2010
The College completed the purchase of the former Cambridge Lodge Hotel on the corner of Huntingdon Road and Storey’s Way, Cambridge, on Friday 20 August. It is to become a hostel for graduate students.
Bursar Andrew Powell said: “The College is very pleased to have had the opportunity to acquire such an important property so close to its main site. We are very sensitive to the unique character of Storey's Way and will be working hard to ensure that we play our part in maintaining that character.”
Receiving the keys from Elizabeth Jones, Partner and Head of Commercial Property, Hewitsons, Cambridge, Andrew Powell said: “The timing of this transaction means that we will be able to house graduates there from the beginning of next term, with minimal alterations. This will enable us to take time to consider how best to develop the property to meet the needs of our graduate students in a way that is consistent with the character of the area.”
Fitzwilliam student behind inspiring event for care leavers
Posted 16 July 2010
Final year history student Ashley John-Baptiste, 20, is the driving force behind an event to raise the aspirations of children in care and care leavers.
Called ‘B Inspired', and organised in association with Reach Role Models and Southwark Council, the event will bring together speakers and organisations in a bid to encourage children in care and care leavers to get the education and training they need to fulfil their ambitions. Ashley received support from Southwark Council and his carers to fulfil his ambition to attend Cambridge.
Dr Paul Chirico, Senior Tutor of Fitzwilliam College, said: "Ashley is a wonderful member of the community at Fitzwilliam College. Like us he is passionately committed to ensuring that the brightest young students from every background can access Cambridge's world-class education. Alongside his studies in history I have been delighted to witness his tireless work in raising the aspirations of youngsters, and to work with him in encouraging potential applicants to give us a try."
Thursday 22 July 2010, 6.00 - 9.30.
Southwark Learning and Business Centre, Cator St, Peckham, London SE15.
Superconductors - the next generation?
Posted July 15 2010
Fitzwilliam Fellow Professor David Cardwell and his team have made a breakthrough in the manufacture of high-temperature superconducting materials. They could be used to protect the national grid and revolutionise the production of MRI scanners.
Click below to watch the University's video about this breakthrough and Professor Cardwell's work.
Superconductors are materials which, when cooled, can carry an electrical current without losing energy, unlike standard conductors such as copper wire. At the moment up to 10% of electrical energy is lost in transit before it reaches the user.
The breakthrough has improved the effectiveness of yttrium barium copper oxide (YBCO) and a related family of superconducting materials.
Left: Professor David Cardwell tests a sample superconductor in his lab.
Professor Cardwell said: "By improving or reducing the weight and size of applications such as energy storage flywheels, magnetic separators, motors and generators, we could greatly improve their power and potential. Superconductors are currently expensive and difficult to mass-produce, but the processes we have developed and patented should enable us to develop samples that are better, bigger, cheaper and more reliable."
Read more from the University Engineering Department...
Visit David Cardwell's bio page...
Criminology prize for Fitzwilliam Fellow
Posted June 23 2010
Dr Justice Tankebe, British Academy Post Doctoral Fellow and Fellow of Fitzwilliam, was presented with the 2009 Nigel Walker Prize on 26 May 2010. The prize is awarded for "an outstanding written contribution (usually a PhD) to the field of Criminology by a member of the University of Cambridge".
Justice arrived in Cambridge in October 2004 from the University of Ghana (Legon), where he studied for his BA degree in Sociology (2003) and later worked as a Teaching Assistant. He received his MPhil degree in Criminological Research in 2005 and his PhD in 2008 at the Cambridge Institute of Criminology. His research interests are in the fields of comparative criminology, theoretical criminology, corruption, legitimation and legitimacy of police practices, criminal justice in transitional societies and sociology of law.
Read more at the Institute of Criminology...
Sarah Winckless named as first chair of British Olympic Association Athletes' Commission
Posted 15 June 2010
Fitzwilliam's Sarah Winckless (Natural Sciences 1993) an accomplished Olympian with more than 20 years of international sport experience will serve as the inaugural Chair of the newly created British Olympic Association (BOA) Athletes' Commission.
Sarah, a renowned rower who represented Great Britain in three Olympic Games and seven World Championships, will fill a crucial role as the leader of a commission that will provide the voice and perspective of athletes in advising the BOA Board and Management Team on all matters relating to Olympic operations, performance and policy. She will ensure that every key decision taken by the BOA is informed by the perspective of Olympic athletes and that the interests of athletes are a fundamental part of the DNA of the organisation.
Fitzwilliam student in national property competition
Posted 13 June 2010
Left: Mary Young, Director of Studies in Land Economy; Aanya Madhani.
Aanya Madhani, studying Land Economy at Fitzwilliam, is one of two students named as the leading London and the South-East regional property students of the year by the Association of Women in Property. Aanya will now go through to the national final in September.
The Women in Property National Student Awards were launched in 2007, and are open to second year, female students studying a Built Environment course and are independently administered. 42 universities put forward over 65 of their rising stars. The Association of Women in Property is committed to redressing the balance of female under-representation in the property and construction industry by encouraging and supporting women throughout their careers and nurturing newcomers.
Aanya said: "I am honoured to have been selected for the South East award. I really enjoyed and gained so much from the entire process - it was fantastic to be surrounded by role models from within the property industry and with such diverse interests and skills. I must thank the judges, everybody that facilitated the student awards scheme and my lecturer Mary Young for giving me this great opportunity."
Land Economy at Fitzwilliam... more
A new music group
Posted 28 May 2010
The afternoon of Sunday, 16th May saw the debut of Fitz's newest music group, the Fitzwilliam College Wind Ensemble, in the College chapel. Led by second-year medic Emma Dyer, the eight performers - two oboes, two clarinets, two horns and two bassoons, performed one of the finest pieces in the repertoire, Mozart's Serenade in C minor.
Future FCWO concerts will take place termly, and a concert calendar for 2010-11 will appear on our music pages www.fitz.cam.ac.uk/music in the autumn. All events are open to members of College, their guests and the general public. For more information, please contact the Director of Music, Francis Knights, on music@fitz.cam.ac.uk or 01223 477339.
Duke of Edinburgh opens new Library
Posted 19 April 2010
His Royal Highness, the Duke of Edinburgh KG KT, Chancellor of the University and official Visitor of the College, opened the new Fitzwilliam College Library & IT Centre today in the presence of benefactors, fellows, students and staff. It was his fifth visit to the College since his appointment as Chancellor in 1977.
Photo: John Thompson.
The new Library, designed by Edward Cullinan Architects, was opened to students in January. It extends and complements the east wing of the 1959 Denys Lasdun College masterplan creating a place for study that reflects the peaceful landscape, respecting and enhancing the adjacent architecture. It is an exciting and environmentally-sensitive addition to the collection of award-winning buildings on the Fitzwilliam College site. (Photo: Simon Feneley.)
The Master, Professor Robert Lethbridge, said: "We are honoured, Chancellor, to be able to mark this occasion by your presence as our Visitor, not only because our new Library is important in its own right and because it is an outstanding and beautiful building, but also because it completes the whole College site."
"In deeming this a properly academic occasion (in the wearing of academic dress) we are underlining the academic centrality of this building, which provides for current and future generations of Cambridge students who are members of this College the best possible modern facilities in which to work."
The main library reading rooms are on three floors, with the books situated in the centre of each floor and the reader spaces around the perimeters to maximize the use of daylight and the views over the College gardens. The New Library and IT centre provides 220 study spaces, over 30 dedicated computer stations, space for 65,000 volumes on open access and wireless internet access throughout.
Among those present included Ted Cullinan, Lucy Spencer and Johnny Winter from Edward Cullinan Architects, former Bursar Mr Christopher Pratt and representatives from Edmond Shipway Construction Consultants and main contractor Kier Group.
Engineering student wins California trip
Posted 29 March
First year student James Buckley (Engineering 2009) won the Duke of York's Award for Creative Electronics at the National Science and Engineering Competition held in Manchester in March, and will be going to California in May to take part in the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair. His GPS tracking system, devised to monitor the position of walking groups, was highly commended.
A cappella successes
Posted 24 March
Both The Sirens and Fitz Barbershop reached the finals of the Voice Festival UK, held in London on 13 March. The Sirens won the award for Outstanding Musicality, and Fitz Barbershop jointly won the award for Outstanding Performance. The regional round was judged by composer John Rutter.
This summer the Sirens (all but 4 of the 11 members are Fitzwilliam students) are singing at Trinity, John's and Clare May Balls as well as Fitz Music Garden Party.
Spring sports roundup
Posted 23 March
Rowing
Moritz Schramm (MB/PhD 2005) is a member of the 23-strong 2010 Cambridge Boat Race squad. With the race on 3 April, training is intensive at the moment: an hour and a half in the Goldie gym before starting work and afternoons out on the river at Ely. Moritz is an experimental psychologist studying for an MB/PhD looking at the memory-related neurological mechanisms involved in the chemistry of addiction. Matthew Lawes (Natural Sciences 2006) has been selected for the Lightweight Men's Blue Boat. Anya Jones (PhD Aerodynamics 2006) has been selected for the Women’s Blue Boat. Before coming to Fitzwilliam, Anya did Engineering for her Bachelor's and Masters in America (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and MIT). Her PhD is looking at how flapping wings (like insects) generate lift at low Reynolds numbers.
Kayak Polo
Oliver Thomson (Geography 2009) has represented Great Britain at Kayak Polo for the last three years and was selected for the European Championships last summer. He competes at Men’s Under 21 Level and has several European tournaments coming up – culminating in the World Championships in Milan at the start of September.
Photo credit: Glenn Summerball.
Bridge (!)
Graeme Robertson (Maths 2007) captained the winning Cambridge Bridge team in their recent Varsity match, held at the Oxford and Cambridge Club.
Photo Left to right: David Faria (Homerton), Graeme Robertson (Fitzwilliam), David Williams (Jesus), John Haslegrave (Trinity).
Optima newsletter online
Posted 22 March
Read the latest Fitzwilliam newsletter here. Features include books on the financial crisis by three members of Fitzwilliam: Vince Cable, Larry Elliott and Joseph Stiglitz; 'The Science of Personality' by Dr Jason Rentfrow; Celebrating 30 years of women at Fitzwilliam; Publishing in Zimbabwe and Green Space. Optima will be mailed at the end of March.
Telephone campaign up and running
Posted 17 March
The 2010 telephone campaign starts this week. Last year students made contact with nearly 700 alumni during the two-week calling period, updating details and comparing experiences of life at Fitzwilliam.
The resulting donations to the Student Opportunities Fund enabled 85 current students - that’s 18% of our undergraduates - to get more out of their time at Cambridge. 63 students received travel awards, language learning awards or books and 22 students received maintenance grants.
Revd Jesse Jackson visits Fitzwilliam
Posted 2 March
Revd Jesse Jackson, a leading civil rights, gender equality, social justice and peace campaigner over several decades, visited the College on 1 March during a brief trip to the UK. He met Fellows, JMA representatives and College members of the Cambridge University African-Caribbean Society, discussing US and international politics and issues of social exclusion and access to higher education. He was hosted by Nicholas Millet (PPS 2009), Guest Liaison Assistant at the Cambridge Union Society, where Revd Jackson later addressed a packed chamber.
Left to right: Simone Sargeant (History 2009), Revd Jesse Jackson, David King (Economics 2007; JMA President 2010), Ayo Awe (Law 2008; JMA Target and Access Officer 2010), Patrick Marché (MML 2009); Ashley John-Baptiste (History 2008; JMA Target and Access Officer 2009). Photo: Dr John Cleaver.
New Land Economy and Music essay competitions launched
Posted 25 February
Following the success of the first Classics and Ancient World Essay Competition for Lower Sixth Formers in 2009, and thanks to an anonymous donation, essay competitions are now also being offered by Land Economy and Music. The first prize is £200.
Over 3000 schools on the UCAS mailing list were notified of the competition by email. The Classics and Ancient World Essay Competition attracted 32 entries last year and first prizes went to Florence Smith Nicholls of Kesteven and Sleaford High School, and to Jazz Baharie of Roedean School.
This year talented and ambitious Lower Sixth Form students are encouraged to try their hand at discussing, in no more than 2,500 words, topics such as the significance of the takeover of Cadbury by Kraft, for example, or the portrayal of women in opera.
Fitzwilliam Essay Competition details:
All entrants must cite sources and secondary literature, and provide a list of references at the end of the essay. The closing date is 19 March. Prizes and certificates will be awarded at the Fitzwilliam College Open Days on 24 April and 1 May.
The College reserves the right not to award prizes if there is no entry of sufficient merit.
'Jailbreak' winners reach Washington DC
Posted 6 February
Two enterprising Fitzwilliam first year students, Nick Millet (PPS 2009) and Reza Khorasanee (Medicine 2009) reached Washington DC to win the RAG 'Jailbreak'. This student-organised fund-raising event involves getting as far away from Cambridge as possible in 36 hours - without spending any money.
They set off at 9am on Friday 29 January from Parker's Piece, dressed in tuxedos and raised £150 in two and a half hours performing magic tricks. Reza's ability to solve a Rubik's cube in under 40 seconds earned them £120 on the train to London. From there they headed to the City - not a huge financial success - before arriving at Heathrow where they continued to raise money with card tricks and illusions. "Once we started making serious money, we had high hopes, but we never thought we'd make it to America." By the afternoon, however, they had enough for return tickets to New York, and arrived 19 hours after leaving Cambridge.
"We raised money in NYC in Central Park and in a diner doing tricks to get our bus to DC. The Americans were very friendly although some of the British tourists less so!"
They raised over £700. Cambridge RAG supports a number of charities, including the Cystic Fibrosis Trust and Jimmy's Night Shelter.
Nigel Slater awarded Donald Medal
Posted 6 January 2010
Professor Nigel Slater has been awarded the Donald Medal of the Institution of Chemical Engineers. It is awarded by the Biochemical Engineering Subject Group of the IChemE for outstanding services in biochemical engineering. The medal will be presented at the IChemE BESG Young Researchers Meeting which is to be held at Fitzwilliam College in Cambridge this coming Easter. He was elected President of Fitzwilliam College in 2009, is President (elect) of the Fitzwilliam Society and will assume office in 2010. Read more about Nigel Slater...
Master to become Provost of the Gates Cambridge Trust
Posted 18 December
The Gates Cambridge Trust was established in October 2000 as the result of a $210 million donation from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, creating an international scholarship programme to enable outstanding graduate students from outside the UK to study at the University of Cambridge. Since 2001 there have been 911 Gates Scholars from 91 countries, of which Fitzwilliam has hosted 22.
The scholarships are awarded to students who demonstrate outstanding intellectual ability, leadership skills, a good fit with Cambridge and a desire to use their knowledge to improve the lives of others.
Professor Robert Lethbridge said: "This will be very good for the College, above all in enhancing its graduate profile."
He takes up the post in October 2010, succeeding Dr Gordon Johnson.
New Library and IT Centre finished
Posted 8 December
Have a look at this one-minute time lapse film put together by Phil Baney in the IT Department.
The new Library & IT Centre, designed by Edward Cullinan Architects, is now finished and students are helping to move the books.We expect the official opening to be in the Spring.
Sports Roundup: December
Posted 6 December
In the Fairbairn Cup race on 3 December, the Novice M1 crew won by over 23 seconds and the M2 crew finished 15th of the 65 crews. And two new boats were named on 5 December.
The new women's VIII was bought in January 2008 by the JMA and the Billygoats Society and was named the Sarah Winckless by Sarah Winckless (Natural Sciences 1993, 2004 Olympic rowing bronze medallist and World Championships gold medallist) who also rowed in an outing with current members of the women's boat club on Saturday 5 December before the boat naming ceremony. The new pair/double was named the Ron Walters (who was admissions tutor at Fitz in the 1960s) by Ian Hall (Engineering 1964). Ian and current fourth year student Matthew Lawes (Natural Sciences 2006) took the boat out after the naming.
Fitzwilliam people in the news
Posted 6 December
Houston Putnam Lowry at NASDAQ for Cambridge 800th
Houston Putnam Lowry (Law 1980) a member of the College’s North America Campaign Council was one of several Fitzwilliam members who met up with the Master and Development Director Iain Reid while in New York on 5 December for the official celebration of the University’s 800th Anniversary.
Jason Rentfrow and Big Personality Test
Dr Jason Rentfrow, Fellow, is part of the Cambridge team collaborating with the BBC on the Big Personality Test, for Child of Our Time a 20-year project following 25 children from across the UK who were born in 2000.
John Eisold is University Constable
John Eisold, Fitzwilliam’s Deputy Head Porter, was sworn in as a University Constable at the Senate House on 1 October 2009. This is one of only four such positions within the University. John was on duty for the Queen’s visit to Cambridge on 19 November.
Lee Hall wins Tony Award
In June Lee Hall (English 1986), won a Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical for Billy Elliott the Musical. Another of his plays, The Pitmen Painters, Winner, Best Play, Evening Standard Awards, runs at The National Theatre until February 2010. He is currently working with Roger Waters on a theatrical version of Pink Floyd’s The Wall.
Graham Stanton's Memorial Service, 23 Jan 2010
Posted 26 November 2009
The Memorial Service will be held on Saturday 23rd January 2010 at 2.30pm at the College.
Graham Norman Stanton MA, BD (Otago), PhD (Cambridge) Hon DD (Otago), FKC (London). New Testament Scholar, born Christchurch, New Zealand 9th July 1940. Lady Margaret's Professor of Divinity and Fellow of Fitzwilliam College, University of Cambridge, 1998 - 2007. Died 18th July 2009.
Obituary from The Independent 16 October 2009
Refreshments will be served after the service. All are welcome. Those wishing to attend should kindly email Carol Lamb carol.lamb@fitz.cam.ac.uk before Monday 4th January 2010.
Yumeto Suenaga: Bach, Mozart and Chopin on 21 November
Bach, Mozart and Chopin by Pianist Yumeto Suenaga
Saturday 21 November, 7.30pm, Free
The first of the professional Chamber Series concerts takes place in the Auditorium this Saturday at 7.30 pm (admission free, retiring collection, all welcome). The prize-winning young French pianist Yumeto Suenaga will play a varied programme of Bach (Partita No.1), Mozart (Sonata in D) and Chopin (24 Preludes).
Please note that this is a change to the advertised performer and programme, due to illness - Yumeto is flying over from Paris especially for this concert.
Professor Sir Andrew Motion to give 2009 Foundation Lecture on 12 November
Posted on 27 October 2009
'The Growth of a Poet's Mind'
The Fitzwilliam College Foundation Lecture of 2009 will be given by the former Poet Laureate on Thursday, 12th November 2009 at 6.00 pm in The Auditorium, Fitzwilliam College, Storey's Way, Cambridge CB3 0DG.
The lecture is free and open to members of the University and all who are interested.
Andrew Motion was born in 1952. He read English at University College, Oxford and subsequently spent two years writing about the poetry of Edward Thomas for an M. Litt. From 1976 to 1980 he taught English at the University of Hull; from 1980 to 1982 he edited the Poetry Review and from 1982 to 1989 he was Editorial Director and Poetry Editor at Chatto & Windus. He has recently been appointed Professor of Creative Writing at Royal Holloway, University of London. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and lives in London. Andrew Motion was appointed as Poet Laureate in May 1999 and retired in 2009. (Photo credit: Antonio Olmos)
Chamber Series 2010
Posted 17 October
There is a series of free chamber concerts (PDF download) coming up in the New Year. All members of Fitzwilliam are most welcome to attend.
The College continues to host an outstanding music programme. In October, recorder player John Turner (Law 1961) arranged a concert in memory of Dr Ray Kelly with celebrated Countertenor James Bowman, Ian Thompson (harpsichord) and Jonathan Price (cello). Music was by Purcell, Bach and Handel, with two pieces especially composed in memory of Ray by Fitzwilliam composers Dr Alan Brown (Fellow 1965 -73) (Lines from In Memoriam) and Nicholas Marshall (Music 1961) (French Songs). The concert raised funds for the Ray Kelly room in the new library. Music Director Francis Knights also organised a Purcell Festival in November.
Andrew Powell appointed new bursar
Posted 15 October
Mr Andrew Powell was appointed Bursar at Fitzwilliam College on 1 October 2009, upon the retirement of Christopher Pratt.
After graduating from Pembroke College, where he read Natural Sciences, Mr Powell joined Barclays Bank and pursued a career in retail and commercial banking, ultimately serving as Programme Director for regulatory change in the Risk division based in London. He is no newcomer to Cambridge, having managed Barclay’s Business Centre in Chesterton Road between 1991 and 1994. He said: "With the completion of the new Library and IT Centre and the 150th Anniversary Campaign well under way, Fitzwilliam is well placed to face the demanding times ahead."
The Music in Me
Jason Rentfrow conducts innovative research into what your musical preferences reveal about your personality. He's a Fellow at Fitzwilliam College and Director of Studies in Politics, Psychology, Sociology, & International Studies. His work is featured in 'The Music in Me', the University's latest Cambridge Ideas film.
The Music In Me from Cambridge University on Vimeo.
Dr Rentfrow asked subjects to consider six broad genres - rock, pop, electronica, rap, classical and jazz. No definition of the genre was given beyond its name, however, as the researchers were interested in the assumptions that people would make. By stating a preference for a musical style, many of us appear to use music as a "badge" to tell people about our personality and values.
"Humans, as social beings, develop techniques that help them to predict what another person is going to be like from the moment they first meet," Dr Rentfrow said. "Because we can't carry out a full psychological assessment on the spot, we ask them questions which help us to build up a picture of their personality. This research suggests that, even though our assumptions may not be accurate, we get a very strong impression about someone when we ask them what music they like."
Fitzwilliam is known for the diversity of its music and is home to two a capella ensembles, Fitz Barbershop and Fitz Sirens, and is the base of the acclaimed Cambridge University 'Swing Band. The Orchestra on the Hill, Fitzwilliam Chamber Opera and the new music group Ensemble CB3 are active here, and we have a thriving Chapel Choir as well as professional input from the Fitzwilliam String Quartet, who were founded at the College in 1968. Their concerts form part of the Fitzwilliam Chamber Series, an annual series of professional recitals the Fitzwilliam Chamber Series, which continues in January 2010.
Forthcoming concerts include:
- Sunday 11th October - Freshers' Concert
- Wednesday 28th October - Orchestra on the Hill
- 4th-11th November - Purcell Festival
Music defines you - learn why you like the music you do. Try the music questionnaire.
Jason's research will be published in P. Juslin & J. Sloboda (Eds.), Handbook of Music and Emotion: Theory, research, applications. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Library scaffolding comes down
Posted 26 June 2009
Less than a year since building work started, and the new Library is losing its scaffolding. Parents of students graduating on Saturday 27 June will be able to enjoy a glimpse of the new building during the festivities. The IT facilities will be open for students in October and books will be transferred at Christmas in time for the new term.
Fitzwilliam Quartet 40th Anniversary
Posted on 21 May 2009
On April 26th the Fitzwilliam String Quartet, the College's distinguished ensemble-in-residence, gave a concert in the Auditorium to mark 40 years since their first concert. Hosted by the Music Society for a celebratory weekend, they attended the Fitzwilliam College Music Society Annual Dinner as guests of honour, and were joined there by Judge John Phillips, their original second violinist. Their concert reflected significant composer anniversaries this year (Purcell and Haydn), repertoire for which they are especially acclaimed (Shostakovich), and music from their very first concert (Tchaikovsky), plus a world premiere by Cambridge composer Jeremy Thurlow. It was followed by a champagne reception at which friends and well-wishers celebrated a remarkable musical milestone.
From left: Lucy Russell, violin; Jonathan Sparey, violin; Heather Tuach, cello; Alan George, viola.
http://www.fitzwilliamquartet.org/
Topping out the new Library and IT Centre
Posted 21 April 2009
Friday 17 April marked a major milestone in the building of the New Library & IT Centre. At the topping-out ceremony attended by architects, contractors, Fellows and staff, Professor Robert Lethbridge, Master, cemented the last brick in the north tower. Then he and the Bursar, Christopher Pratt, were presented with engraved trowels by John Henke, Managing Director, Kier Marriott, the main contractors. The building, designed by Edward Cullinan Architects, will be completed in September.
The Master thanked the contractors, the workforce and Edward Cullinan himself. "Any new building work is a potential nightmare for the community, but this has been quietly and sensitively built to universal satisfaction and relief. Of all our new buildings, this last one is the most important. The Library & IT Centre represents our essential purpose and values; it symbolises why we exist as a College. Edward Cullinan Architects have given us an iconic building which will mark us out in Cambridge."
From left: The Bursar, Christopher Pratt; Master Professor Robert Lethbridge; John Henke and Keith Ferry (Kier Marriott).
Double success for Fitzwilliam gymnast
Posted 16 March 2009
A week after winning the individual all-round title at the annual Cambridge against Oxford Varsity match, Fitzwilliam student Alex Hedges has also won the British Men?s Team Championships. The competition, known as the Adams Shield, took place on 8th March and has been run for over a hundred years. Alex, a 4th year Management Studies student, competes with the Huntingdon Olympic Gymnastics Club team, whose other members include Olympic finalist Daniel Keatings and medallist Louis Smith. Alex is the first holder of a Blue in Gymnastics and will now be competing in the London Open and hopefully the Commonwealth Games in 2010.
Alex Hedges with the Varsity shield.
New Library at half-way stage
Posted 12 March 2009
The New Library & IT Centre is growing fast. One of the key architectural features of the building, the stair-tower, is now in place. Modelled on the famous spiral staircase at the Château de Blois, in the Loire Valley in France, it will not only take readers between the library floors, but will also provide study alcoves at half-landing levels with views over the College and gardens. The tower culminates in a 'level where readers can enjoy even wider views across Cambridge. The building, designed by Edward Cullinan Architects, is to be topped out on 17 April 2009.
This live webcam image, from a camera sited on The Grove, is updated every ten minutes - click here for more information.
Richard III
Posted 11 March 2009
The Fitzwilliam College Drama Society, FitzTheatre, are putting on Shakespeare's Richard III. Performances are at the Fitzwilliam Auditorium on Saturday 14th, Sunday 15th and Monday 16th March at 7.30.
Price £4 students, £6 others.
Two Fitzwilliam MPs, the Culture Secretary Andy Burnham and Mike Gapes, are championing free theatre tickets.
Dr Ray Kelly's Memorial Service
Posted: 15 January 2009
Ray Kelly's memorial service will be held on Saturday 31st January at 3.00 pm. The responses to date indicate that the Chapel will be filled to capacity so arrangements have been made for closed circuit television to relay the service to the Trust Room - thus there should be seats for all those who have notified us of their intention to attend. Everyone is invited to meet for tea in Hall after the service when a Memorial Book will be available.
Car parking will be on a first come, first served basis. There will be stewards to advise on alternative locations should the College car parks be filled.
If you need further details, please contact theDevelopment Office.
BBC Award for Alastair Hignell
Posted: 15 December 2008
Fitzwilliam's Alastair Hignell was named the 2008 recipient of BBC Sports Personality's Helen Rollason award last night. Click here to watch the presentation. The first Cambridge student to captain the university at both cricket and rugby union, he played professional cricket for Gloucestershire from 1974 to 1983, passing 1,000 runs for the season three times and hitting 11 first-class centuries. Hignell was a 19-year-old student when he made his England rugby union debut against Australia in Brisbane in 1975 and went on to win 14 caps. Hignell was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1999 and has since been heavily involved in fundraising. The award is a tribute to former BBC presenter Helen Rollason MBE, who died from cancer in 1999 at the age of 43.
Archaeology and the Bible: A Broken Link?
Posted: 29 October 2008
Professor Graham Davies FBA, Professor of Old Testament Studies, Fitzwilliam College, University of Cambridge will give the
Schweich Lecture on Biblical Archaeology at the British Academy on 4 November 2008. Professor Davies was elected a Fellow of the Academy in 2003. His research interests include the semantics of ancient Hebrew, Interpretation of the Book of Exodus, Hebrew and other inscriptions and Biblical theology.
Lecture 5.30 - 6.30pm, followed by a drinks reception. Registration is not required for this event. Seats will be allocated on arrival.
Vaughan Williams Festival: 31 October to 2 November
Posted: 29 October 2008
2008 marks the fiftieth anniversary of the death of Ralph Vaughan Williams and the Music Society of Fitzwiliam College is hosting a weekend festival to commemorate his life and work. Artists and speakers include the Fitzwilliam Quartet, the Fitzwilliam Chapel Choir, Christopher Finzi, Diana McVeagh, Jeremy Dale Roberts, Fergus Macleod, Em Marshall, Christopher Langdown, Rupert Luck, Daniel Swain, Peter Wilman, Philip Collin, Howard Wong and Alex West. Full programme and booking information here.
Ray Kelly 1920-2008
Posted: 27 October 2008
It is with great sadness that we report the death of Dr Ray Kelly, Life Fellow, on 24 October 2008.
Ray Kelly was born in Leeds in 1920. His studies in Modern Languages at the University of Leeds were interrupted by wartime service in the Intelligence Corps, and he graduated in 1947. Subsequently he took his doctorate at the Université de Lyon.
He came to Cambridge in 1950 as Assistant Lecturer in French, and began his lifelong association with Fitzwilliam two years later, when he was appointed Director of Studies in Modern Languages at Fitzwilliam House; he held this post until 1968. In addition, he was Director of Studies in French at Trinity Hall from 1951 to 1965.
Ray became Domestic Bursar in 1960. He was in the first group of Fellows of Fitzwilliam House appointed in January 1963, as part of the preparation for the move to full collegiate status, and so was a Founding Fellow when Fitzwilliam became a College in 1966. He became Bursar in 1967 and continued in that capacity until he retired in 1981, becoming a Life Fellow.
His service to the College was unstinting, and for many he became the very embodiment of Fitzwilliam. His remembrance of former students, for whom his high regard was equalled only by their high regard for him, was prodigious and unique. He served as President of the Fitzwilliam Society in 1969-70 and in 1982-83.
The funeral will be private, and a Memorial Service will be held at a later date.
Ray's contribution to Fitzwilliam was immense. The College is actively considering how best to recognise this. If you would like to be kept informed, please email the Development Office.
Work starts on new Library & IT Centre
Posted: 18 September 2008
The new Library & IT Centre being built at Fitzwilliam will bring together books and IT resources in an integrated centre for learning for all members of the College. Designed by Edward Cullinan, RIBA Gold Medal winner in 2008, it will be an exciting and environmentally-sensitive addition to the collection of award-winning buildings on our site, and will provide 100% more reader spaces and 50% more computer spaces.
The live webcam image is updated every ten minutes - click here for more information.
First Cambridge Full Blue for motorsports awarded to Fitzwilliam student
Posted: 18 August 2008
Oliver Turvey (2005), who is a fourth year undergraduate studying Engineering at Fitzwilliam, has been awarded an extraordinary Full Blue for Motorsports. It is the first such award to be made to a racing driver.
The honour is in recognition of his 'outstanding motor racing skills and achievements' After a win at Silverstone on Saturday 16 August, Oliver is now in the lead in the British F3 International Championship. He is funded by the not-for-profit Racing Steps Foundation.
Damon Hill, 1996 F1 World Champion and BRDC (British Racing Drivers' Club) President said:
'His commitment to his education, in addition to his driving career is unusual in motor sport and sets new standards of aspiration and attainment. But none of this additional talent would be enough if he could not also deliver as a driver. Fortunately, he has repeatedly shown he is eminently capable of doing just that.'