Chancellors Circle Members Dinner, 2021
University Chancellor, Sir Thomas Allen, CBE Kt, was delighted to host the 2021 Chancellor’s Circle Members’ Dinner at Mansion House.
Guests were welcomed to Mansion House by Chancellor’s Circle Members The Rt Hon. The Lord Mayor of the City of London William Russell (Arts Combined, Grey, ‘87) and The Lady Mayoress Hilary Russell (Natural Sciences, St Mary's, ‘87).
The event provided an opportunity for the Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor, and other senior members of University leadership to meet Durham’s most senior community of benefactors, celebrating recent achievements and marking the enduring impact of philanthropy for our community.
In addition to the induction of 11 new members at the event itself, the evening’s celebrations included: the awarding of an honorary Doctor of Civil Law to the Lord Mayor; the presentation of the Dunelmensis Award to Campaign Board member and long-standing benefactor, Charles Wilson; and a moving moment of farewell to the Professor Stuart Corbridge in recognition of his leadership.
An Expanding and Influential CommunityMembers of the Chancellor's Circle give significant gifts to many projects across the University, enabling us to nurture the talents of our students, pursue transformative research, and create an inspiring environment.
This year the Chancellor welcomed an unprecedented total number of new members from both 2020 and 2021 who have created impact across so many areas of University life.
New Chancellor's Circle Members for 2020:
- Mr Arthur Browne (Physics, University, ’53): supporting the Arthur Browne Scholarship for Physics
- Dr Lydia Brown MBE and the Venerable Stephen Robbins: establishing the Robbin Lecture in support of the Vann Fellowship.
- Professor Stuart Corbridge and Ms Joan Simms: creating the Vice Chancellor’s North East Scholarships and supporting multiple initiatives including our Durham University Military Scholarships.
- Dr Neil Hunt (Physics & Electronics, Collingwood, ’85) and Ms Julie Raymond: establishing a programme of scholarships, internships, and industry research grants in Computer Science and within Collingwood College.
- The St Nicholas Educational Trust: supporting the St Nicholas Trust Scholarships for students from disadvantaged backgrounds across the North East.
- Dr Rodney (Physics, Van Mildert, ’71) and Dr Frances Stubbs (Physics, St Mary’s, ’71): supporting PhD scholars in the Atomic and Molecular Physics Group
- Mr Mark (Arts Combined, St Chad’s, ’80) and Mrs Rosamund Williams: generous and longstanding supporters of St Chad’s College
- The Zeno Karl Schindler Foundation: supporting ZKS Research Fellowships undertaking ground-breaking work in partnership with the Institute of Early Modern and Medieval Studies
New Chancellor's Circle Members for 2021:
- Canonesses of the Holy Sepulchre: establishing the Sepulchrine Research Fellowship in partnership with the Centre for Catholic Studies and University Library
- Mr Jon (Law, Collingwood, ’83) and Mrs B Conder: creating the Undergraduate Research Internship Scheme and Changemakers North East Programme at Collingwood College
- Mr Johnny (Economics Van Mildert, ’85) and Mrs Jo Hewett: renovated to an exceptional standard the outdoor tennis courts at Maiden Castle now renamed the ‘Hewett Tennis Complex’
- JGW Patterson Foundation: funding a PhD research project to better predict metastasis in breast cancer
- Mr Philip (Economics, Hatfield, ’87) and Mrs Louise Keller: supporting merit scholarships for excellence in musical performance
- O.F.M (Capuchin) GB Charitable Trust: supporting Capuchin scholarships and fellowships for talented theologians within the Centre for Catholic Studies
- The Pringle Foundation, inspired by Mrs Claire and Mr Tony Pringle: establishing the Brian Cooper Scholarship for North-East Scholars from under-privileged and under-represented backgrounds
- The Race Family: endowing a major scholarship within the Durham Inspired North East Scholarships Programme, giving specific emphasis to student in the Arts & Humanities
- Scott Logic: funding Durham Inspired Computer Science Scholars and naming the main lecture theatre in our new Mathematics and Computer Science Building
- Mr Benjamin (Cell Biology, Hatfield, ’97) and Mrs Harriet Thorpe: enabling the purchase of a new fleet of boats for Durham University Boat Club to improve both equipment and performance
- University of Notre Dame: supporting the Sweeting Fellowship in the History of Catholicism and a number of international conferences in partnership with the Centre for Catholic Studies. UND have also been a partner in the delivery of Durham Global Lecture Series through their London Global Gateway in Trafalgar Square.
Thank You for Your Continued Support
We are humbled by and grateful for the growing number of our donors who commit to transformative donations across our University Community. We hope our Chancellor’s Circle members continue to actively support Durham to retain its place as a world-class seat of learning, research, and community engagement.
Showcasing Our Talent
Circle Members enjoyed a performance from our current students, the Overli Music Scholars: talented vocalist Hannah McKay (Music, Josephine Butler) and pianist Mary-Anne Grego (Liberal Arts, St Cuthbert’s) who gave a moving rendition of Danny Boy and You'll Never Walk Alone, much to the delight of Liverpool fans in the room.
Guests also enjoyed the musical exploits of cellist Clare Durgan (Music, St Mary's, '15) and pianist Will Ford (Music, Josephine Butler, '16) who have performed as part of this event since its inception.
To close the evening we were all were treated to an impromptu performance from Sir Tom followed by the award winning Durham University Gospel Choir. Please follow this link for a similar performance from the Gospel Choir (password: DUGC).
Chancellor’s Circle members offered a warm and emotional farewell to Vice-Chancellor, Professor Stuart Corbridge, and thanked him for his inspirational leadership. Stuart and his partner, Joan Simms, were inducted into the Circle as new members for 2020.
The Rt. Hon. The Lord Mayor of the City of London, Alderman William Russell, was awarded an honorary doctorate in a historic ceremony for his distinctive two-term service leading the City of London.
Guests enjoyed musical performances from the Overli Music Scholars, vocalist Hannah McKay (Music, Josephine Butler) and pianist Mary-Anne Grego (Liberal Arts, St Cuth's) in addition to an impromptu performance from our Chancellor and an amazing finale from our Gospel Choir.
