Friend of Exeter honoured with Award

Friend of the College, Mr Sathi Alur, has been named a Distinguished Friend of Oxford, in recognition of his generous friendship and the help he has given the College.

The Distinguished Friend of Oxford Award recognises volunteer service, honouring those who give Oxford “what money can’t buy” – whether this is representing the University in the wider world, leading a long-term fundraising effort, or undertaking a major project on behalf of the University.

Mr Alur is an Economic & Social Policy consultant who works with the World Bank as well as with companies in the UK and Sweden. He introduced Exeter to Krishna Pathak, the benefactor responsible for the Pathak Scholarships. Mr Alur helped to design and publicise the scholarships, and has helped guide the College’s relations with India.

The Award was presented at Convocation House on Friday 28 May, and was followed by a reception in Divinity School and a dinner for Distinguished Friends of Oxford and their guests held in the Lodgings at Exeter.

Other recent recipients of the Award include Thelma Holt, who persuaded Cameron Mackintosh to establish the Professorship named after him, and Michael Howarth, for 50 years the Director of the Canadian Rhodes Trust Scholarship Foundation.