Media

Oxford honours friends from across the world

30 July 2007

Three figures from very different parts of the world have been named as Distinguished Friends of Oxford in recognition of their long-lasting and exceptional volunteer support to Oxford University and its colleges.

David Hopkinson, a Director of the English China Clays group, was nominated for work on the Investment Committee of St Anne’s College, Oxford, which, due to his careful stewardship over 40 years, has brought phenomenal success to the College’s endowment.

E Michael Howarth’s work as Director of the Canadian Rhodes Trust Scholarship Foundation for 50 years led to his award. Under his tenure 80 Oxford students have been able to pursue postgraduate study in Canada, and due to his strong management of the endowment the scheme has expanded to provide this opportunity for two or three Oxford students each year.

The third award will be made to Professor John White, who has served as Chairman of the Oxford Australia Scholarship Fund since 1996. The Fund provides support for six young Australians to study at Oxford University each year. Forty scholars have been appointed since 1998, and Professor White has worked to secure additional funding for the students and to ensure that they have a continuing relationship with Oxford.

Commenting on the awards, Dr Richard Repp, Chairman of the Oxford University Society, said: ‘The Distinguished Friend of Oxford Award is made only very rarely, and all of those who are being honoured this year have made a truly outstanding contribution as volunteers and made a real difference both to the collegiate University and to individuals, particularly students. I would like to take this opportunity to thank them for their hard work and dedication to Oxford University.’

Notes to editors

  • The Distinguished Friends of Oxford scheme was initiated in 1997 to provide the University with a means of formally recognising individuals who have acted as exceptional volunteers for the benefit of the University and its colleges. Awards are not restricted to alumni of the University but employees of the University and major donors who are members of the Chancellor’s Court of Benefactors are not eligible.
  • The 26 past recipients include Lady Heseltine for her work as Chairwoman of the Director’s Fund-raising Committee of the Ashmolean museum, The Hon Nicholas de Katzenbach, who served as Chairman of Americans for Oxford, and Professor Thelma Holt, whose volunteer efforts established the Cameron Mackintosh Professorship of Contemporary Theatre.
  • The scheme is run by the Oxford University Society, the University’s official alumni organisation. Nominations may come from any source, including academics, students, staff and alumni of the University. Nominations are considered in two stages before a recommendation is made to the University Council.
  • David Hopkinson, CBE, joined Merton College, Oxford, in 1944. He is an Honorary Fellow of St Anne’s College, and a member of its Investment Committee. He has been a Director of the English China Clays Group since 1975. David Hopkinson was nominated by St Anne’s College for almost 40 years service on the College Investment Committee, of which he was a founding member.
  • E Michael Howarth joined Queen’s College in 1949. He is retired Dean of Students, University College, University of Toronto and is Director of the Canadian Rhodes Trust Scholarship Foundation. E Michael Howarth has served on the Board of the Canadian Rhodes Scholars’ Foundation since it was first established 50 years ago.
  • Professor John White, CMG, FRS, FAA, FAIP, FRACI, FRSC, BSc. Sydney, D.Phil Oxford; Chairman of the Oxford Australia Scholarship Fund. He matriculated at Lincoln College in 1959. Professor John W White was appointed Chairman of the Oxford Australia Scholarship Fund in 1996, succeeding Sir John Young. Since 1998, the Oxford Australia Scholarship committee have appointed 40 scholars, of who six are still actively studying whilst all prior students have successfully completed the degrees they set out to obtain.
  • The first Oxford Alumni Weekend, entitled ‘Meeting Minds’ will take place on the weekend of the 14-16 September 2007, with a programme of University and College events, talks, tours and concerts. All Oxford alumni are eligible to attend and can register both themselves and two guests.The Oxford Alumni Weekend 2007 has been organised in direct response to calls by graduates around the world who expressed a desire to return to their University for a mix of social and educational events. For further information please see the Oxford Alumni website:http://www.alumni.ox.ac.uk/

Further information