2013 news

Full sets of photographs of these events, where available, can be found on the Downing College Flickr page - click here.

Professor Graham Virgo to be Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education) –
19 December 2013

Graham Virgo

Professor Graham Virgo has been appointed University Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Education from October 2014. The Pro-Vice-Chancellors support the work of the Vice-Chancellor, providing academic leadership to the University and working in partnership with senior administrators to help to drive strategy and policy development. Professor Virgo is Professor of English Private Law in the Faculty of Law, and has been a Fellow of Downing since 1989. An alumnus of the College, he was Senior Tutor from 2003 to 2013 and has also served as Director of Studies in Law.

Downing's head of the Charles regatta crew helps out at boston food bank – october 2013

Picture of Downing crew in Time Square For the first year ever on 20 October 2013, two Cambridge and Oxford college crews raced against each other at the Head of the Charles Regatta in Boston. Sponsors BNY Mellon, also sponsors of the London Boat Race, asked Downing College, Cambridge and St John's College, Oxford to compete. Downing’s crew beat the crew from St John’s by 38 seconds.

While in Boston, Downing’s crew helped to pack food at the Greater Boston Food Bank. The photo has been a regular fixture in Times Square for a week since.

Presentation to the Master at the Association Dinner – 28 September 2013

Presentation of table made by Mark Stoneham to Barry Everitt 28 September 2013 Mark Stoneham (1981) is seen here with the Master and the gift presented to him by the Downing College Alumni Association at the dinner on 28 September (see the photographs here). Mark made this truly unique table from sycamore felled from the Blenheim Palace grounds with a Downing College crest made with lime burr from the lime trees felled from the Downing quad, inlaid with holly, ebony, lemonheart and pink ivory. The drawers are made from iroko wood rescued from the staircase of the Boat House. The silver inscription reads: Presented to Barry Everitt by the Downing College Alumni Association on the occasion of his retirement as Master, September 2013.

Mr Richard Stibbs, 1946–2013

 Richard Stibbs, 1946–2013  It is with the deepest sadness that we have to inform you all that Richard died peacefully on Saturday 31 August, at home with his family.

A memorial service will be held in College on 23 November 2013. Further details of the service will be made available nearer the time.

1749 society garden party – 20 july 2013

 Lunch at the 1749 Society Garden Party 2013  The College hosted a garden party for the members of the 1749 Society – so named to commemorate the year of the death of our founder, Sir George Downing – all of whom have told us that Downing is included as a beneficiary in their wills. Photographs of the event may be found here.

DCBC 150th Anniversary Honorary Row Past – 8 July 2013

 DCBC 150th Anniversary Honorary Row Past Crew Congratulations to everyone who either participated in or attended the DCBC 150th Anniversary Honorary Row Past on Saturday. Photographs of the Row Past, and of the drinks party later in the car park, are here. What a fantastic day we all had, and particular congratulations to our crew; Tom Middleton, Kate Panter, Rod Chisholm, Charlie Green, Tom Brown, Gus Pope, Zara Goozee and Guy Henderson. Feroces ad Mortem!

Graduands Reception and General Admission – 27 and 28 June 2013

 General Admission 2013 We were delighted to welcome our 2013 Graduands, together with friends and family, to a reception in College the evening before General Admission. Photographs of the reception and of the procession to Senate House are on our Flickr page. Congratulations to all of you and very best wishes for the future.

Downing College Alumni Association Photo Competition – 18 June 2013

The winners of the Downing College Alumni Association Photo Competition 2013 were announced; all entries may be seen on the Downing College Flickr page.

Donors' Garden Party – 15 June 2013

The College held a Garden Party to thank Members who had generously contributed to the College over the past year – photographs here.

May Bumps – 12–15 June 2013

 May Bumps scoreboard, Day 2, 2013 May Bumps began quite well, with W1 and M1 both rowing over Head and 2nd, respectively, although M2, W2 and M3 were all bumped on the first night. On Day 2, W1 and M1 again both rowed over, as did W2, but M2, M3 and M4 were all bumped. Day 3 was a great day for DCBC, as W1 and M1 finished the day Heads of the River! W2 again did well, bumping LMBC II. M3 rowed over, and M2 and the Rugby Boat were bumped. However, the last day was unlucky for DCBC, as all but M4 were bumped. Next year, DCBC - next year!

MA Congregation & Dinner – 11 May 2013

A three-course dinner, attended by over 160 alumni, was held in Hall for all those collecting their MA on 11 May. Photographs taken on the day are here.

Reunion Event for 1980–1985 matriculants – 30 april 2013

A reunion event for 1980-1985 matriculands was held at Christopher's Wine Bar in Covent Garden. Over 60 alumni were in attendance and thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to meet old friends and reminisce about shared experiences – photographs here.

Segreants Regatta & Dinner – 27 April 2013

 DCBC 150th Anniversary banner on the boathouse, Segreants Regatta 2013 The annual Regatta and Dinner, held on the first Saturday of Easter Term, are the highlights of the Segreants calendar. All Boat Club members are invited, whether they rowed once in the summer Rugby boat, or devoted every morning to first boat training, and the event offers an opportunity to establish links between past and present Boat Club members. This year, more than 130 alumni attended the dinner - see the photographs of the dinner and the regatta here.

Annual Reunion Dinner – 6 May 2013

This year's Reunion Dinner was for pre-1953, 1953, 1963, 1973, 1983, 1993 and 2003 matriculants. Over 140 attendees enjoyed a drinks reception in the Grace Howard Room, followed by dinner in the Hall (see the photographs here).

Lent Bumps

 DCBC's website photograph As DCBC took to the River Cam for Lent Bumps, W1 and M1 had tough positions to maintain, sitting 1st and 2nd on the River, respectively. W1 not only maintained the Headship for the third year running, but also ensured that no other boat came near it throughout the week. M1 had a great week and, despite not gaining that elusive bump on Caius, was on its tail every day, easily pulling away from any chasing crews. W2 cemented its position in the 2nd division with two solid bumps. Unfortunately, M2 had an unlucky week for injury and was bumped three times, but rallied on the last day with a strong row over to avoid the dreaded spoons.

Prestigious Music Prize Awarded – 11 March 2013

On Saturday 11 March at a ceremony at Southwark Cathedral, The Royal College of Organists presented Diplomas and Certificates to 57 Members of the College from the fields of organ and choral music. Second year law student and Downing Organ Scholar Dominic Wong was awarded a Diploma of Associateship. To read more about Dominic and the Chapel Organ fund, read the article in the current edition of 'Dow@Cam'.

Announcement of next master of downing college – 29 January 2013

 Professor Geoffrey Grimmett We are delighted to announce the election of Professor Geoffrey Grimmett D.Phil., D.Sc. to be the 17th Master of Downing College. He will take office at the beginning of October, following the retirement of Professor Barry Everitt Sc.D., F.R.S., F.Med.Sci., who has been Master since 2003.

Alumni & Development, Downing College, Cambridge CB2 1DQ. Telephone 01223 334850· Email development@dow.cam.ac.uk