The Beaufort Society’s Annual Meeting, a key marker in the start of the Michaelmas term, took place at St John’s on Saturday 12 October. Co-hosted by the Master, Heather Hancock (1984), and President of the Beaufort Society, The Lord Browne of Madingley (1966), this event celebrates the promise made by this community of Johnians and friends of the College through a gift in their will.
On arrival at the Old Divinity School, members and their guests gathered to enjoy a glass of bubbly and received a warm welcome from Heather Hancock with an update on life and learning at St John’s. Heather spoke of a record year for undergraduate admissions and the arrival of an exceptional new cohort of freshers and postgraduates, as well the talented new Fellows from a breadth of subjects arriving too – a great sign of the intellectual strength and depth of St John’s.
Heather also spoke of the success of the groundbreaking Dobson Free Places campaign, which will create an endowed fund to support 40 completely free places to UK undergraduates from free school meal backgrounds. We are in our third tranche of fundraising for the matched-funding and the total for this year stands at just over £1.1M, which means we need to raise a further £900K before the end of March 2025.
What’s super exciting is that we have already been able to make pilot Dobson Free Place awards, three last year and at least the same for this year’s intake. So, we now know what a difference these awards make to young people of huge promise. – The Master, Heather Hancock
Merriments continued over lunch in Hall, and Lord Browne gave a poignant speech to thank society members for their foresight and generosity, whilst also highlighting the importance of progress and significance of current world events. An excerpt of Lord Browne’s speech can be read here:
I am sure that most, if not all, of us believe that however good the past has been the best is yet to come. That is an expression of optimism which drives progress in all dimensions. It is the sentiment that drives scientific, engineering and commercial innovation; it is the sentiment that drives improvement in the human condition.
None of this happens automatically. It is the result of great people doing great things. And that’s where legacies come in. Lady Margaret Beaufort directed that her estate be used to establish our College. She started a tradition which we are required to uphold. Legacies are a vital part in making the future. These enable the College to inspire and educate the leaders of the future, leaders who drive the search for the truth, leaders who respect debate, different opinions, and diversity in all its dimensions. And importantly, leaders who value the creation of partnerships founded upon mutual benefit.
Progress is always the result of great people doing great things. There is no doubt that St John’s continues to attract great people with great potential, but if they are to be nurtured and schooled in the art of doing great things, they need our help. Progress is always fuelled by the belief that the future will always deliver more than the past, and a legacy is a concrete way of expressing that belief. – President of the Beaufort Society, The Lord Browne of Madingley
Lord Browne then introduced the guest speaker, The Revd Dr Canon Victoria Johnson, who became Dean of Chapel in the Easter term this year. Vicky (as she likes to be called) gave an uplifting and hopeful speech about the role of the Chapel in the wider College community and her vision for its purpose at the heart of life at St John’s.
The Anglican chapel at the heart of this College is the custodian of tradition, but this tradition is a living one, a place of Faith, Beauty, Justice, a place of contemplation and community, where love is named, joy is made, sorrow acknowledged, light shared. A place for rainbows, blue skies, shooting stars. A place for big hearts and open hands, a place for everyone. Whatever you believe. Whatever you carry. Whatever doubts you have. Wherever you are from. Everyone is welcome. This place is enlivened with music, poetry, drama, silence and prayer. It can be an anchor. It can be an oasis. It is a place we you can call home. And from here, we believe, we can change the world for good. At its very best, a sacred space at the heart of a college can create room for the human imagination to flourish and provide a cradle for human beings to learn to live into their fullest potential. It is a place of change and transformation. – The Reverend Canon Dr Victoria Johnson
After lunch, a fascinating afternoon lecture was given by Professor Richard Gilbertson on Will we ever cure cancer? in the Main Lecture Theatre of the Old Divinity School. Professor Gilbertson is the Li Ka Shing Chair of Oncology, Head of University Department of Oncology, and Director of the CRUK Cambridge Centre, University of Cambridge. Professor Gilbertson explained over the last 30 years, his laboratory has used various approaches to map the origin of cancer and understand how tumours arise. He showed how his team have discovered that metastasis is a normal process hijacked by cancer, and that understanding this process can help to find new ways to prevent cancer from spreading.
Festivities concluded with afternoon tea in the sumptuous surroundings of the Master’s Lodge, before the final treat of Evensong in Chapel.
Thanks are due to everyone who made the journey to College for this year’s event, as well as those who weren’t able to join us on this occasion. The society continues to grow and flourish, as do the friendships and sense of community within it, and it is a joy to have this opportunity to express our heartfelt thanks to all members of the Beaufort Society for their continued support, both now and in the future.
Here we are, striving to be the model of collegiality, already globally renowned for academic excellence, continuing to stand out for the way we help talent to succeed. We couldn’t do it without you – thank you so much for your support and commitment. – Heather Hancock
If you are interested in leaving a legacy to St John’s and joining the Beaufort Society, please email Emma Talibudeen or ring her on 01223 338605 to find out more.
All photo credits to Ben Minaar.