St John's College Alumni eNewsletter - March 2026
Alumni Survey Results
We were really delighted that so many of you (1,200 - 16%) took the time to complete the alumni survey last term. We had a good spread of alumni from all matriculation years, and almost equal representation of donors and non-donors, who gave us their feedback on their views of the College and what they thought our priorities should be.
As you'll see from the image, the overwhelming perception of the College is that it is a "welcoming, academic powerhouse" and the top three priorities that came out (for both undergraduates and graduates) were: academic excellence, student wellbeing, and being a diverse, inclusive, and friendly community.
Other key takeaways for St John's were:
- 57% of alumni felt a strong or very strong connection with the College
- The top reasons why St John's is important to alumni is the role it has played in their intellectual growth and their development as a person, and that they are proud to be an alumnus/a
- 65% of alumni recognise St John's as a leader in education and research
- Donors trust the College with their donations, but some are not clear on what impact their gifts are having or if they are really needed
- 21% are aware of the College's strategic direction
- Half of those who responded said they would like to support the College through their time or expertise (e.g. volunteering, offering careers advice to current students and young alumni, speaking at or hosting events, being advocates for the College)
These responses have given us much to consider. We will address them in a number of ways. We will improve the way we communicate the impact of philanthropy at the College to you and demonstrate why this is so important. We will be publishing a new ten-year strategy that will help raise awareness of the College's future direction. We are developing our alumni engagement and volunteering programme, and are keen to explore with you how we might do better to build that sense of connection and engagement between alumni and the College.
We continue to welcome your feedback and suggestions in all these areas and would be delighted to have a further conversation with alumni about this. If you would like to discuss the results in more detail, please contact the Associate Development Director, Tom Childs: tom.childs@sjc.ox.ac.uk
College News
Memorial for Bill Hayes
A memorial event will be held on Thursday 16 April 2026 at 2.30pm in St John’s Garden Quad Auditorium for Dr William Hayes FInstP Hon MRIA (1930–2025). The memorial will be followed by afternoon tea. All those wishing to attend are asked to contact the President’s PA, Jenny Diment (presidents.pa@sjc.ox.ac.uk).
SJC undergraduate advances longstanding mathematical conjecture
Tanupat (Paul) Trakulthongchai, a second-year undergraduate reading Mathematics at St John’s, has recently solved new instances of a well-known mathematical problem first posed in the 1960s. Congratulations, Paul, on this important contribution to a complex mathematical conjecture!
Alumni News and Publications
Einstein: A Life in Science and Music
Professor Brian Foster OBE FRS (1975, DPhil Theoretical Physics) has recently published Einstein: A Life in Science and Music (Oxford University Press, February 2025). The book summarises Einstein's contributions to physics without mathematical equations. It contains new revelations about Einstein's life, marriages, friendships and loves and his musical activities, a hitherto largely unknown part of his life. Further materials, a bibliography and links to audio and visual resources, are available at www.brianfoster.co.uk.
Introducing: Giles the Lamb
Giles - the College’s newly named lamb, chosen by students and staff in a popular vote - has set off on an exciting adventure. Giles will meet our alumni across the USA alongside the President, the Interim Director of Development, and the Principal Bursar. With the success of Agnes the Lamb's 2017 tour of the United States and Canada, it seems only right that another College lamb should make the journey in 2026. Stay tuned to see how Giles gets on in California and New York!
Oxford Edge: A New Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Oxford Edge, Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, was established in 2025 to educate, inspire, and empower Oxford’s entrepreneurial students.
Open to students from all Colleges and Departments, the Centre brings together academic knowledge, industry expertise, and alumni support to foster student ventures. Based at 37 St Giles, the initiative was kickstarted by Christ Church College, together with a broad consortium of partners across the University and City. Two students from St John's College were on two of Oxford Edge’s most successful teams of last year’s summer programme.
As a Centre at the University, Oxford Edge is educational and charitable. It works closely with EnSpire, the Saïd Business School, the Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship, Oxford University Innovation, and Oxford Science Enterprises to provide curricular and co-curricular entrepreneurship programmes for University students. Click here to find out more.
Triennial Russell Society Dinner
On Saturday 14 March, the College was delighted to welcome Classics alumni, students, and Fellows to the Triennial Russell Society Dinner, to toast the late Professor Donald Russell FBA and to celebrate Classics and Classics‑related subjects.
Named in honour of the late Professor Donald Russell FBA (Fellow in Classics 1948–88, Reader in Classical Literature 1978–85, and Professor of Classical Literature 1985–88), the Russell Society was founded in May 2009 for the promotion of Classical Studies at St John's and to allow current students an opportunity to meet alumni.
To learn more about securing the future of Classics and Ancient History at St John’s, click here.
Alumni Events
Friday 27 March 2026
Friday 27 March 2026
New York City Drinks Reception
Thursday 9 April 2026
Tuesday 14 April 2026
Friday 17 April 2026
Thursday 14 May 2026
Tuesday 16 June 2026
Friday 3 July 2026
Friday 10 July 2026
College Events
Oxford Shorts 2026: Film Festival
Thursday 9 April 2026
The World's Music at Oxford: Millicent Chapanda
Sunday 26 April 2026
2 - 4 May 2026
International Piano Series: Mishka Rushdie Momen
Thursday 7 May 2026
The World's Music at Oxford: She'koyokh
Sunday 10 May 2026
St John's College Commemoration Ball 2026: 'Wish You Were Here’
Saturday 27 June 2026
*Alumni can get a 10% reduction if they inform Professor Brian Foster that they are an alumnus on the booking form on the website.
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