The President, Professor Michael Carpenter, commented afterwards: “This is a historic and happy moment in the life of the College for Fellows, staff and students alike. We are exceptionally fortunate to have been able to elect such a distinguished figure as Lord Williams to lead the College, and now look forward to working with him in pursuit of our common goals of academic achievement, access and development, during the course of his Mastership.”
Lord Williams of Oystermouth, the 35th Master of Magdalene College, Cambridge, said: “I am delighted and honoured to be joining the College as Master. My first priority is now to get to know this richly varied community, which has already proved exceptionally welcoming to myself and my family, and to work with them all to keep the College a place of warmth and co-operation, challenge and excellence.”
The Master’s role is to lead the College at a time of change in Higher Education, and to promote its work as an academic institution of high achievement, open to the ablest students irrespective of background. In addition to pursuing his own research, the Master takes an active interest in all aspects of College life, and represents the College both within the University and to the wider world. He fosters the well-being and interests of all members of the College community, including students, Fellows and non-academic staff.
The Master’s formal duties include chairing meetings of the Governing Body (currently 39 Fellows) and its principal committees, working with College officers to maintain an efficient administration; presiding at major social events; maintaining links with alumni and promoting the welfare of students.
Mr Duncan Robinson, C.B.E., F.R.S.A., D.L retired as Master at the end of December 2012 having been in office since 2002. Mr Robinson’s immediate predecessor as Master of Magdalene was Sir John Gurdon, recipient of the 2012 Nobel Prize for Medicine.
Image: The Master and Junior Members
Credit: Stephen Bond
Reproduced courtesy of the University of Cambridge
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Lord Williams of Oystermouth admitted as Master of Magdalene College
18 January 2013
The President of the College admitted Lord Williams as Master of St Mary Magdalene College during a short ceremony yesterday (Thurs), witnessed by the Fellows, Junior Members and staff of the College.