1 minute read
From the Principal
Lord Woolley of Woodford
When I arrived at Homerton on 1 October 2021, I was politely informed during one of the many gatherings I had that day, that in following Professor Geoff Ward, the outgoing Principal of eight years, I had ‘big shoes’ to fill. I nodded, knowing that it was both true, and untrue.
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True in the sense that as the outgoing custodian of Homerton, Geoff had set the excellence bar really high. During his time Homerton had not only become a fully-fledged Cambridge College, offering the full range of subjects from Architecture to Veterinary Science; it had also made some of the shrewdest investments to ensure a stable financial footing. But, I would guess, Geoff is most proud to have continued the Homerton legacy of being the friendliest College in Cambridge, indeed Oxbridge.
In truth I neither can nor want to fit in Geoff’s or anyone else’s shoes. I can only fit into my own shoes. We can only be ourselves.
Learning to be our greatest self is a particular challenge, but one that’s worth the endeavour.
One of the distinct elements of Homerton, beyond its North Star principles of academic excellence and teeming diversity, is wanting our
David Johnson
David Johnson
students not just to be the very best they can be, but also to develop a sense of purpose. A purpose that, of course serves their individual development, but also a wider endeavour too. One that wonderfully serves our society to ensure that it is fairer, more equal, but at the same time one that bursts with creativity, ingenuity, and energy.
My role, as was Geoff’s before in this ongoing challenge, is often to be its facilitatorin-chief. My role is to support everyone who comes here to flourish.
I think, even as we juggle with COVID past, present, and future, the College has flourished. Students, researchers, Fellows, and all our wonderful support staff have had a spring in their step. The visit of the future King, His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, along with that of Civil Rights icon Reverend Jesse Jackson, helped many to see that something special is occurring at Homerton.
All I can say is thank you. Thank you for making my first term here so wonderfully special n
