St John's alumni organise virtual Gaudy in lieu of cancelled event

Following the outbreak of COVID-19 and the social distancing measures put in place by the Government, the College's Development and Alumni Relations Office was very disappointed to cancel this years' four Gaudies.

However, unperturbed by the setback, a group of resourceful alumni decided to hold their own 'virtual Gaudy' using the video-conferencing service Zoom.

A group of alumni joined the call at the time that their Gaudy was supposed to start and used the evening to share memories of their times at St John's College. There were calls from all over the UK and even from across the pond in New York.

The College's President, Maggie Snowling, joined the call and used the opportunity to update the alumni on how the College has been responding to the COVID-19 outbreak, as well as taking questions across a raft of issues from COVID-19 to divestment to day beds in the new Library. Robin Gorna (1984, Theology) said "we left inspired that College had weathered so much through the 17th century that we will get to the other side of this one stronger too". Professor Snowling commented that she was delighted to be invited and that it was a "historic moment".

Have you been connecting with other alumni in new and novel ways or would you be interested in organising a 'virtual Gaudy'? Let us know by email.