On 20th November 2024, St Hilda's College gathered to celebrate its annual Founders' Day, an occasion to honour the rich history, traditions, and contributions of the college community. This year’s service, held in the JdP Music Building, brought together alumnae, students, staff and Fellows in a heartfelt tribute to the legacy of our founder Dorothea Beale and the many benefactors who built the College.
This year was a little different, starting with a cake competition! The brief was to create a cake which symbolised what St Hilda's College means to the baker. Congratulations to students George Lait and Ella-Rose Gaskin for securing 1st and 2nd place respectively. George wowed us with a decadent cheesecake featuring a brownie base – a nod to the first cake he baked with his floormates upon arriving at the College. Bravo to both for their culinary achievements!
The service commenced with an exquisite prelude by Henry Wadsworth, Graduate Musician in Residence, featuring Bach's Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring. Professor Dame Sarah Springman, Principal of the College, delivered a warm welcome, setting the tone for a reflective and uplifting ceremony.
The musical performances included Cædmon’s Hymn, one of the earliest known English poems, set to music by Philip Theodorou (Music, 2022). This piece featured a split choir, with some singers positioned on the balcony above, creating rich and dynamic sound textures, while the Louisa Hemming Choral Scholars sang from the stage. The performance beautifully showcased the remarkable talent and creativity flourishing at St Hilda's. The College Choir, directed by Dr. Jonathan Williams, shone throughout the evening.
We were also treated to a stunning performance by Emmanuel Sowicz, the inaugural Ming Lee Alsop-Lim Music Scholar, who masterfully brought to life timeless works ranging from Bach to Violeta Parra.
There were heartfelt reflections from JCR President Melinda Zhu and MCR Vice President Dr Sanchit Turaga. Alumna Revd Kate Seagrave (Modern Languages, 1999) led the service, delivering a poignant message on peace. The evening concluded with a reunion chat between Dr Mehak Mumtaz (Biochemistry, 2008) and her former tutor, Dr Mary Board. This served as a preview of Dr Mumtaz's after-dinner speech, in which she shared the wisdom of her remarkable journey while standing beneath the portrait of our founder, Dorothea Beale.
A heartfelt thanks was given to all those involved in the service, and we left with an encouragement to continue to live lives of purpose, in service to others and to the ideals of St Hilda’s.
“non frustra vixi”
