St John's College News
Making the most of the holidays: the adventures of two St John’s undergraduates
Making the most of the holidays: the adventures of two St John’s undergraduatesWith the end of the Michaelmas Term and the beginning of the Christmas break upon us, this is a story about two Johnian undergraduates who made the most of their time off by embarking on eye-opening adventures abroad, partly funded by the College’s Travel Grants Scheme. A longer version of this article first appeared in the College newsletter Eagle Eye. Teaching children in Kathmandu, Nepal…read moreStudents discover how skills from both classroom and sports field can be put to good use at university
Students discover how skills from both classroom and sports field can be put to good use at universityA group of budding young mathematicians from years 10 and 11 at the Manor School Sports College in Northamptonshire have visited St John’s, in the hope of inspiring them to reach new levels, both in the classroom and on the sports field. During the visit the students got a sense of what life is like for undergraduates and advice on their A-level and university options. The day was designed…read moreJohnian to head-up pioneering new research centre to study the future of artificial intelligence
Johnian to head-up pioneering new research centre to study the future of artificial intelligenceWith technology and science on the brink of significant advances in artificial intelligence, Zoubin Ghahramani, Professor of Information Engineering and a Fellow of St John's College, has been appointed Deputy Director of a new multi-million-pound research centre to study the challenges and possibilities of the future of intelligence.Some researchers suggest that human-level artificial…read moreJonathan Harvey’s cello restored for today’s students
Jonathan Harvey’s cello restored for today’s studentsA cello which belonged to the influential British composer Jonathan Harvey during his student days in Cambridge has been restored so that it can be used by current undergraduates.Harvey, who died in 2012 aged 73, was one of the leading composers of his generation, and received international acclaim for his music, which was often electronic, experimental and inspired by spiritual themes. His work…read moreStudents from Mossbourne Community Academy take a behind-the-scenes look at St John’s
Students from Mossbourne Community Academy take a behind-the-scenes look at St John’sBright, young pupils from Mossbourne Community Academy in Hackney, London, have visited St John’s to get first-hand experience of university life and find out about the options available to them in higher-education. The visit took place as part of St John’s access programme, which is designed to raise the aspirations of talented students and give them the information and skills they need to…read moreCatering team win gold award for outstanding customer service
Catering team win gold award for outstanding customer serviceA gold certificate for outstanding customer service has been awarded to St John’s College by Cambridge BID for its catering operation. Cambridge BID is an organisation that represents 1,100 shops, bars, cafés, attractions and services in Cambridge city centre and aims to ensure that visitors, locals and businesses enjoy a vibrant, safe and clean environment.The awards are judged on visits…read moreUnpublished Bronte story discovered in ‘much-treasured’ book about Johnian poet
Unpublished Bronte story discovered in ‘much-treasured’ book about Johnian poetAn unpublished short story and a poem written by Charlotte Bronte have been found in a precious book featuring a Johnian’s poems, which was previously owned by the writer’s mother, Maria.Manuscripts by a 17-year old Charlotte Bronte, dating back to 1833, have been found inside a rare book with a Johnian connection which was owned by Maria Bronte, mother to the six Bronte children.The finding was…read moreSt John’s hosts 10 year anniversary of Cambridge International Development Conference
St John’s hosts 10 year anniversary of Cambridge International Development ConferenceSt John’s College is to host the Cambridge International Development Conference on 28 November 2015, marking the 10th anniversary of the student-run event which discusses measures to tackle extreme poverty and global inequalities. The tenth Cambridge International Development Conference will be held at St John’s College, on 28 November, giving students the opportunity to meet with…read moreSt John's is first College in Cambridge to be awarded food sustainability rating
St John's is first College in Cambridge to be awarded food sustainability ratingThe catering team at St John’s College, Cambridge, have become the first to receive a two-star award of sustainability from the Sustainable Restaurant Association’s Food Made Good programme for their commitment to serving sustainable food. A two-star rating of sustainability has been awarded to St John’s College, Cambridge, by the Sustainable Restaurant Association’s Food Made Good programme…read moreJohnian announced as one of top female bio-entrepreneurs in UK
Johnian announced as one of top female bio-entrepreneurs in UKProfessor Sharon Peacock, Professor of Clinical Microbiology at St John’s College and Honorary Senior Research Fellow at the University of Cambridge, has been identified by the BioBeat 2015 report as one of the most inspirational women in bio-business for her work championing the use of rapid microbial genome sequencing in diagnostic and public health microbiology.Sharon Peacock, Professor of…read moreUniversity access initiative to be pioneered in Shropshire primary schools
University access initiative to be pioneered in Shropshire primary schoolsSchoolchildren in Shropshire will usually make their first visit to a university in year 11 or 12, but St John’s College, Cambridge, is taking a new approach to inspire the county’s children to think about the options available to them in higher education from a much younger age.For the first time, primary school pupils in Shropshire are taking part in an initiative at St John’s College,…read moreJohnian wins international rowing award
Johnian wins international rowing awardKirsten Van Fossen, a PHD student in Engineering at St John’s College, Cambridge, has been announced as the 2015 recipient of the Parmigiani Spirit Award – a prize presented to any university rower worldwide who demonstrates dedication to rowing in both their academic and sporting lives, in addition to encompassing the core values of the sport.Kirsten Van Fossen, a rower with the Lady Margaret…read moreTalented students from South London get a taste of life at St John’s
Talented students from South London get a taste of life at St John’sThe Brilliant Club, an educational access charity, brought gifted and talented year 7 and 8 pupils to St John’s College last week, launching a six-week programme of university-style teaching. A group of 48 bright, young pupils from state schools across South London came to St John’s College last week to take part in the Scholars Programme organised by the Brilliant Club.The Brilliant Club…read moreRound off Green Week in style!
Round off Green Week in style!This weekend marks the climax of St John’s College Green Week with a host of special events. On Friday the Larmor Society is holding a talk with Professor Chris Howe, giving members of St John’s the opportunity to learn about how photosynthesis is the key to renewable energy conversion and take part in a lively discussion. This is followed by a sustainable green super hall with a ‘heroes…read moreProfessor David Clines awarded British Academy Medal
Professor David Clines awarded British Academy MedalJohnian Professor David Clines, Emeritus Professor of Biblical Studies at the University of Sheffield, has been awarded the Burkitt Medal for Biblical Studies by the British Academy.Professor David Clines, who read Oriental Studies (Aramaic and Hebrew) at St John’s in 1961, was awarded the Burkitt Medal for his significant contribution to the study of the Hebrew Bible and Hebrew lexicography. The…read moreHinsley Memorial Lecture to be given by General Sir Mike Jackson
Hinsley Memorial Lecture to be given by General Sir Mike JacksonThe 15th Hinsley Memorial Lecture, held at St John’s College, will focus on the refugee crisis and UK defence.The annual lecture will take place on 4 November at the Old Divinity School, St John’s College, and will be given by General Sir Mike Jackson GCB, CBE, DSO, DL. Entitled ‘General Reflections’, the lecture will examine UK defence in an era of Middle East turmoil, an adventurist Russia, and…read moreHospitality inspiration from China
Hospitality inspiration from ChinaWith the need to develop strong links with China now a priority for many UK universities, Catering and Conference Manager Bill Brogan recently undertook a fact-finding tour of the country that could see fresh ideas influencing the way the College caters for its overseas visitors.Building partnerships with other countries and knowing how to cater for overseas students and visitors is high on the…read moreProfessor David White elected to the Royal Academy of Engineering
Professor David White elected to the Royal Academy of EngineeringJohnian Professor David White has been elected to the Fellowship of the Royal Academy of Engineering.Professor DavidWhite, formerly a Fellow of St John’s College, was one of 50 new Fellows elected to the Academy in recognition of his outstanding contribution to engineering. The Fellowship of the Royal Academy of Engineering represents the most innovative and creative minds in research…read moreJudging Chopin: notes from the jury
Judging Chopin: notes from the juryAs 82 of the world’s most accomplished young pianists gather in Poland for the 17th International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition, Juror and College Fellow Professor John Rink reflects on the challenges and rewards of selecting the winning performances.In his day job, John Rink is Professor of Musical Performance Studies and a Fellow and Director of Studies in Music at St John's College. As a…read moreThe Revd Professor John Emerton, 1928-2015
The Revd Professor John Emerton, 1928-2015The Revd Professor John Emerton FBA, Emeritus Regius Professor of Hebrew at the University of Cambridge and Fellow of St John’s College, has died at the age of 87.Born in London, Professor Emerton studied at Corpus Christi College in Oxford where he was awarded a first class honours degree in Theology in 1950 and an MA in 1954, which was incorporated the following year in Cambridge. He was…read moreExam stress 19th century style, revealed in Victorian student’s diary
Exam stress 19th century style, revealed in Victorian student’s diaryA diary of a 19th century undergraduate, which provides a rare insight into the life of a Cambridge student, is among the items going on public display at St John’s College this weekend for Open Cambridge.If you think Cambridge students have a heavy workload today, spare a thought for 19th century undergraduate Francis Hutton, who resorted to taking morphine to deal with exam-related stress.…read moreBills, Bills, Bills
Bills, Bills, BillsThis invoice, dating from the late nineteenth century, is a pro forma found in the account books of the classicist John Edwin Sandys who was elected a Fellow of St John's in 1867. When he became a tutor in 1870, Sandys took charge not only of the academic life of his students, but also their wider activities at the College, down to keeping track of their bills for rent, tuition and even beer. He…read moreGraduating students give back to St John’s in fundraising campaign
Graduating students give back to St John’s in fundraising campaignMore than half of all graduands participated in this year’s Go Forward, Give Back fundraising campaign in order to unlock thousands of pounds to support future undergraduates. Students were asked to donate what they could – even as little as £1 – to help future generations of St John’s students.A £25,000 ‘challenge gift’, offered by donor Nick Corfield, who graduated in 1981, was available to…read moreCambridge strikes a chord with gifted young vocalists
Cambridge strikes a chord with gifted young vocalistsTalented young singers will experience the life of a Choral Scholar as part of an intensive course of musical training at St John’s College, finishing with a live broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on Sunday 30 August. Some of Britain’s most talented young choristers will come to Cambridge University next week for an intensive course which will give them a chance to sound out life as a Choral Scholar.…read moreDr Reginald Prince, 1927-2015
Dr Reginald Prince, 1927-2015Dr Reginald Prince, Fellow in Chemistry at St John’s since 1960, has died at the age of 88.Born in Newport, Monmouthshire, Dr Prince was awarded a BSc and a PhD from University College London, and he came to Cambridge in 1956 to further pursue his academic career at Sidney Sussex College. He was elected into the Fellowship at St John’s in 1960, also holding the positions of Director of Studies in…read more