St John's College Alumni eNewsletter - January 2025
Hoye Group Unlocks the Secrets of Efficient Solar Materials
Professor Robert Hoye, Tutorial Fellow in Chemistry, has unraveled the factors enabling efficient charge-carrier transport in the light-harvesting materials for solar cells.
President Sue Black on BBC Radio 4 - 'Shadow of War', 21 January
Hidden in Munich are brain samples from a British soldier who died in 1941. Listen to Professor Sue Black investigating how the actions of Nazi-sponsored anatomists continue to be felt today - Tuesday 21 January, 8pm.
We congratulate DPhil candidate Grace O'Duffy, who has been elected to a Junior Fellowship by the Harvard Society of Fellows, and MSc student Max Han Kai Ding, named a Future Nobel Laureate Scholar.
The Arts Programme at St John's College is pleased to announce that Heather Agyepong will take up a residency in the Trinity Term of 2025. Heather's work is concerned with mental health and wellbeing, invisibility, the diaspora and the archive.
Canterbury Quad Cloisters Commended in 2024 Natural Stone Awards
The College is delighted to be commended at these industry-leading awards and extends its warm gratitude to architects Wright & Wright and the contractor Beard Construction for the hard work of their teams in restoring and revitalising the historic quadrangle.
Meet the Team: Kristina McClendon
Deputy Development Director of Philanthropy
Originally from California, I joined the St John’s College Development and Alumni Relations Office in late 2024, following a career in the education sector where I served in roles at institutions including Magdalen College School, NYU Stern School of Business, and Pepperdine University.
My role as Deputy Development Director for Philanthropy facilitates major gift fundraising activity and oversees the College’s regular giving programme. I look forward to working with alumni, students, academics, administrators, and College stakeholders to foster transformative educational experiences and fundraise for access and outreach, student support, and scholarships.
Beyond my professional experiences, I am a passionate academic with a Bachelor of Arts in English from Pepperdine University and a Master of Arts in Victorian Studies with Distinction from Birkbeck College, University of London. In my spare time, I can often be found reading, writing, baking, playing the banjo, and photographing the beautiful sites of Oxford and the UK.
Please do get in touch via email at kristina.mcclendon@sjc.ox.ac.uk to introduce yourself. I look forward to meeting many of you in due course.
Alumni News and Publications
Rebecca Leek (1999, Literae Humaniores) offers 'a practical and insightful guide to the fundamentals of school governance for new and aspiring governors and includes the history, frameworks, theory and practice'.
Faulkner's Hollywood Novels: Women between Page and Screen
Ben Robbins (2005, English) traces the influence of William Faulkner’s screenwriting on his literary craft and depictions of women, revealing a dialogue between the author's fiction and screenwriting over a period of two decades.
Exhibition of Engravings, 24 February - 15 March, All Saints Church, Cuddesdon
You are warmly invited to a reception and short talk at All Saints' Church, Cuddesdon, on 28 February, 6-8pm, with Robert Wilson (1962, English Literature), introducing a collection of 30 engravings. Please email Robert for more information.
Book Presentation at All Souls of 'Alias Caracalla' with translator Rupert Swyer
On 27 January at 5pm, Rupert Swyer (1965, PPE) will be delivering a presentation on his translation of Daniel Cordier’s memoir 'Alias Caracalla' with Professor Julian Jackson, in the Hovenden Room at All Souls, Oxford.
Calling All Alumni in International Relations & Diplomacy!
St John's College JCR Career Talk Opportunity
The JCR is seeking alumni to participate in an upcoming careers talk for SJC undergraduate students, taking place in early Spring. If you have experience working in the field of International Relations and Diplomacy, we would love to hear from you!
In this short session, you will be able to share insights into your career journey, the skills you have developed, the experiences you have gained, and offer valuable advice by answering questions from current students. To find out more, please email alumni@sjc.ox.ac.uk.
Alumni Events
An Evening with Suzanne Heywood
Thursday 20 February 2025
Friday 21 March 2025
Friday 28 March 2025
Founder's Lecture - SAVE THE DATE
Tuesday 13 May 2025
Friday 27 June 2025
Gaudy for the Years 2012-2013 - SAVE THE DATE
Friday 4 July 2025
Torrance Society Medical Reunion 2025 - SAVE THE DATE
Friday 3rd October 2025