Glen Whitehead reflects on his first months as Development Director at St John’s, discussing the enduring legacy of alumni support and outlining his vision for strengthening lifelong connections within the College community.
When I walk to my office in Second Court each morning, I’m aware of the great minds who have called this beautiful place home. St John’s can be justly proud of its long history as a centre of inspiration and learning. Some of the most influential individuals of the past five centuries walked (and continue to walk) these courts. Among them are pioneering scientists, leading politicians and diplomats, brilliant sportswomen and sportsmen, internationally leading academics, industry leaders, artists, musicians, poets, activists and entrepreneurs.
This tradition of excellence never stops. Our current students will go on to great achievement professionally and personally, and our sights remain set on supporting brilliant minds looking to future discovery and advances. How best can we support them?
We are in a time of great geopolitical turbulence, incredibly rapid scientific advancement, and enormous change in industry and business. AI is firmly in the common lexicon and has become a major influence. What new challenges will face students who commenced studies with us last October, by the time they graduate in a few short years?
Such questions can help guide the focus of the College’s Development and alumni engagement programme. Led successfully by Stephen Teal for the past 20 years, our aim remains clear: to enable Johnians to maintain a strong connection to College for life, and to support Johnians in securing the College’s position into the future.
It is difficult to overstate the impact of alumni support on College life, and in varied ways all alumni will have benefited, in their turn, from the generosity of their predecessors. In the few months I have been in post, I have met students who, but for the grace of scholarship and bursary support, would not be here. I have heard the exquisite voices of choristers whose years-long training was made possible by alumni. I have discussed pioneering research developments with early-career Research Fellows whose Fellowships have been generously endowed. I have even joined the Fellows and Staff rowing group, using ergs in the Boat House which itself will soon be completely refurbished, thanks to alumni support.
Put simply, the alumni community plays – indeed, has played for centuries – a vital role in make St John’s the exceptional College it is. I offer profound thanks to all those already engaged, and invite a conversation with those interested in learning more.
We also want to hear more from you. We’re commissioning a comprehensive alumni survey to fully understand how we can best serve our Johnian community, and how that community wishes to stay engaged with the College. Do look out for this over coming months.
We know that Johnians love to help the next generation with a step up, and it is my privilege to work with you in doing so. Please do get in touch: glen.whitehead@joh.cam.ac.uk .
