On Sunday, May 19, recent donors to the College gathered for our annual Donor Day. A last-minute weather check led to a change of venue to the Master’s Garden, where we enjoyed the sunshine with a glass of champagne and elderflower pressé.
The group wandered through Chapel Court to meet in Hall for lunch. Soon after their arrival all eyes were drawn to the balcony, where the Gents choir beautifully sung grace.
As usual, the St John’s Catering Team served a fantastic meal, and the Hall was buzzing with new friendships and fond memories of college life. As visitors sipped coffee and truffles, the Master welcomed everyone home and shared numerous examples of St John’s students whose funding has enabled them to excel in both academic and extracurricular activities.
Then one of those students, Blossom Durr (2022, History of Art), spoke about her experience at St John’s and how she has been impacted by the generosity of donors bringing the magic back to College life.
After lunch some of the guests gathered in the Main Lecture Theatre of the Old Divinity School to hear about ‘Capturing Sunlight for a Sustainable Future’ with Professor Erwin Reisner. Erwin Reisner is the Professor of Energy and Sustainability in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Cambridge and a Fellow of St. John’s College. He is an expert in renewable energy and sustainable chemistry, in particular the sunlight-powered production of sustainable fuels and platform chemicals. His cross-disciplinary research into solar chemical synthesis technologies focuses on the capture and utilisation of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide as well as the valorisation of plastics and biomass waste to produce green fuels and chemicals for a circular economy.
Other guests enjoyed joining Professor Patrick Boyde, Emeritus Professor of Italian and Fellow of St John’s, on a tour of the College Portraits. This tour began in the Combination room, looking briefly in the Hall and finishing in the Wordsworth room. Many enjoyed Professor Boyde’s enthusiasm and expertise on the subject.
A separate group enjoyed a tour of the gardens, learning about the different types of planting which are used at St John’s and how the gardeners manage such a busy schedule.
Taking advantage of the beautiful weather, the group proceeded to the Backs for Afternoon Tea. The Catering Team served tea, coffee, Pimms, scones, and Victoria sponge cakes while some visitors relaxed in chairs by the riverside, reminiscing about their days as students, and others stood chatting in groups about the paddock. When the celebration ended, a few guests stayed for the organ recital and Evensong service in Chapel.
If you’d like to view the full gallery of photos from Donor Day, please visit the photos section of Johnian Hub. To those who joined us for Donor Day 2024, it was wonderful welcoming you back to College! And to all of you who have donated to St John’s, we look forward to our next opportunity to thank you in person for your generosity.
All photography by Dasha Tenditna; Dasha Tenditna – Photography