An Anniversary to Remember

New College turns 50 this year, and it will mark the milestone in a way that honours its strong community spirit and its tradition of equity and social justice – by creating a new scholarship.

The college launched its fundraising campaign in the fall, and as of early February has garnered more than 200 contributions from alumni, friends, faculty and staff. Called the New College 50th Anniversary Alumni and Friends Scholarship, it will be awarded annually starting in May to one or more undergraduates demonstrating financial need, academic merit and/or co-curricular involvement. The final amount of the scholarship is still to be determined, as donations are still being collected.

“We wanted to create a permanent legacy to recognize the philanthropy of New College family and friends. We’re very much focused on community, social responsibility and service learning, so this approach really reflects our values,” says Celeste Richards, senior development officer.

Since opening in 1962, New College has focused on offering social equality and cultural studies programs, which today include Equity Studies, African Studies, Caribbean Studies, and Buddhism, Psychology and Mental Health. In addition to undergraduate arts and sciences programs, the college residence is home to students in professional faculties such as engineering, kinesiology and physical education, pharmacy and music.

New College’s half-century birthday celebrations will include a public lecture on April 4 by asteroseismologist Jaymie Mark Matthews (BSc 1979 NEW), entitled “The rocket science of sustainability: What alien worlds teach us about our own.” At Spring Reunion (which begins in May), former dean of students Ann Yoeman will discuss the significance of the anniversary, and in October, humanitarian Stephen Lewis will speak at the year’s closing ceremony.