A warm welcome back for some of Exeter’s most recent leavers
On Saturday 15 September nearly 100 alumni who matriculated between 2010 and 2014 returned to Exeter College for their first Gaudy.
Guests enjoyed a drinks reception on the front quad and were treated to a flypast of a hot air balloon before heading in to Evensong, led by Chaplain Andrew Allen.
During dinner Rector Rick Trainor updated guests on recent events at College, including how the Leavers’ Gift from this year’s graduates will be spent: “I am delighted to report that the JCR has asked for its donation to be used to help beautify the back quad by purchasing planters and foliage and, if there are any surplus funds, that they are used to support transitioning students. The MCR has also, for the first time this year, encouraged its members to give a Leavers’ Gift which will be used to help build up a fund which can provide support to graduates who wish to attend conferences. This has been warmly received and I have no doubt that it will have tremendous impact on our graduates in the years ahead.”
The event also provided the perfect opportunity to announce Exeter’s new Young Alumni programme. This will bring huge benefits to our youngest members of the Alumni community, with opportunities to stay connected with each other, to network, and to connect with senior alumni working in the same fields. For this to succeed, we need your input. Please consider becoming an Alumni Ambassador for your year group. Please get in touch with Amelia Crosse, our Alumni Relations and Events Officer, if you are interested. Your participation will help make your alumni programme what you want it to be.
It was fantastic to see so many of our youngest alumni return to Exeter, despite having only recently waved goodbye, for their first of hopefully many happy gaudies.