Rector Dr Andrew Roe reflects on Oxford life and Hilary Term 2025
Dacre Balsdon (Fellow, 1927-1969) in Oxford Life notes: ‘The start of Hilary Term is a time when the sun never shines. It may not be cold, but it is always dull and grey … the beginning of Hilary Term is not an occasion or an excitement at all. It simply happens. Indeed, there is something of middle-age about Hilary Term itself; it is dull – neither one thing nor the other, neither youth nor age’. Of course, he is right about the start of term. But as I pull these thoughts together in week eight, the days are getting longer, daffodils (narcissus) – the yellow heralders of Spring – are ubiquitous in bloom, having superseded the early colour of crocuses, and Oxford is looking attractive in the frail March sunlight, although the air is still fresh. Importantly, from a student perspective, the Easter Vac is in touching distance – the seemingly unattainable goal has almost been realised.
Hilary Term has been an extremely vibrant one at Exeter, despite the outside weather. Having now seen almost all our undergraduates at Collections, I can attest to their hard work, enthusiasm, and dedication. All are relishing the challenges of their selected subject, and most are excelling – some, noticeably so. No mean feat considering the pressures they are under. Our finalists are increasingly ready and looking forward to their ultimate trial, many having banked coursework or research project results already. I am hopeful that again Exeter will see the fruits of its wide-ranging educational endeavours with some impressive results later in the year. All the signs are positive at this stage, and there is a nice feeling of confidence across the College.
More widely, in unusually warm Spring sunshine, Exeter performed brilliantly at Torpids (or Toggers). The men went up two spots and the women five. The latter came with ‘blades’ for the third year running – deeply impressive stuff. Both teams are now in spitting distance of the First Division. I am convinced that the newly refurbished boathouse has had something to do with the College’s success on Isis. Thank you again to those who contributed. But credit must also go to the supporting staff, captains and president, all of whom have gone above and beyond this year, encouraging and cajoling in equal measure. The Torpids Dinner underlined the strength and vibrancy of rowing at Exeter. It was a wonderful evening. Likewise, the inaugural Women in Sport formal underlined the breadth and depth of sporting activity across the College. This all bodes well for the future. Such activities are important outlets for the academic pressures at Exeter.
The term has also been punctuated by a series of good news stories and events, many of which are highlighted in more detail in the end of term e-news bulletin, as well as the news pages of Exeter’s website. To underline just a few: congratulations to Professor Nandini Das, who was appointed as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in His Majesty’s New Year Honours List 2025 for services to interdisciplinary research in the humanities and to public engagement; the well attended 1970-1974 Gaudy was accompanied by a pitch-perfect speech by Sir David Warren (Honorary Fellow, 1971, English); and the annual Burns Supper – where the haggis was paraded in the Hall, with a piper-led procession – was trailed later in the term by the inaugural Ramadan Dinner. There has been much to lift the spirts of all members of the College community, not least a series of excellent Subject Family Dinners and organ recitals.
I wish to conclude this short foreword by congratulating Rector Trainor on his new temporary appointment. Sir Rick is currently the Interim Warden of Rhodes House and CEO of the Rhodes Trust in Oxford, located only a stone’s throw away from Exeter. It has been wonderful to see him and Marguerite back in Oxford and supporting numerous College events.
Daffodils emerge in Exeter’s Fellows’ Garden
