Zip Colley (nee Jila) (2002, Law)
My time at St John’s was a pivotal period in my life for so many reasons: my studies ignited a lifelong passion for the law, which became the bedrock of my career; my friendship group led me to my husband; and I gained perspective and huge personal development during that ‘first experience living away from home’, albeit within the safe confines of the St John’s ecosystem. I look back on those years with huge fondness and am a strong believer in ‘once a Johnian, always a Johnian’. As such, my involvement with St John’s has been, and will continue to be, lifelong – whether that is by offering careers advice to students, serving on the Johnian Society Committee or in my capacity as a member of the Beaufort Society. Given our positive experiences at St John’s, my husband and I are keen that others are able to share the opportunity we had, regardless of their financial situation, without leaving the University saddled with debt. That premise sits at the heart of the Dobson Free Places campaign, which is why we are delighted to offer it our support.
Mark Rowntree (1963, Medicine)
When I came up to St John’s in 1963 to read Engineering, I couldn’t believe how lucky I was to be in such a beautiful place, and I remain convinced about the College’s beauty. While experiencing a truly great and wide education, I matured and made many lasting friendships, and I found the College extremely helpful when I decided that engineering was not for me and that I wished to become a medic.
After retirement I have frequently looked back and been thankful for my time at St John’s, and when I received a small windfall I felt that its best use would be in helping some less fortunate than I to experience the same values. The Dobson Free Places scheme is the ideal vehicle for this.
