Over the past year the college has benefited from many new acts of generosity from alumni and friends. Here is a selection of a small number of these new initiatives, which in different ways will directly benefit the lives and experiences of our students.

The Michael Colyer Bursary

Around 25% of Selwyn’s undergraduates receive bursaries, which vary in amount according to family circumstances. These bursaries help to create a level playing field amongst our students, ensuring that everyone can get the best out of their time at Selwyn and Cambridge. We are most grateful to individuals such as Michael who provide this support, which can make a huge difference to the students’ experience.

The R C Read Fund for medical projects

The US-based Read-Gostick Education Fund, which was established by an alumnus, Raymond C. Read (SE 1941), and his wife, Lillian J. Gostick, has recently made a gift to the college. The gift is for the support of Selwyn medical students who wish to undertake elective or other research projects within the UK as part of their studies. Additionally, the Read-Gostick Education Fund has recently endowed a PhD scholarship that will support a Selwyn student studying at the Heart and Lung Research Institute, Cambridge; the director of which is Selwyn fellow Professor Charlotte Summers.

Robert Martin Summer Projects Fund for Economics

The college has received a new gift from alumnus and fellow benefactor, Robert Martin (SE 1984), to support undergraduate students in Economics wishing to take part in an innovative summer research internship programme at Selwyn College. Up to six internships will be offered lasting for approximately 10-12 weeks during the
long vacation. The programme will consist of both research and training components and is intended to provide focused research opportunities for students at the end of their first or second year of study. It will be directed by the Robert Martin Economics fellow, Oleg Kitov, with support from other Selwyn Economics fellows. The overall aim is to support students’ learning, and our fellows believe this experience will significantly enhance their future career prospects. The college would be pleased to be able to offer similar opportunities to students in other subjects and the development director would be happy to hear from any readers who might be in a position to help.

John Craske Legacy to SCMS

Selwyn’s students and SCMS have benefitted from a kind £5,000 legacy left to the college by John Craske (SE 1952). John read Medicine during his time here, winning the Scruby Prize, and enjoyed SCMS concerts throughout his time here. Split equally between student support and Selwyn’s musical life, John’s gift will help to support the expanded Cambridge Bursaries programme as well as helping underpin SCMS’ renowned weekly concerts and purchase new music for the choir. For more information about leaving a legacy to Selwyn to support our students’ extracurricular life, please contact Sam Davis, Major Gifts and Legacies Manager on +44(0)1223 767845 or at sjdd2@cam.ac.uk