spring 2011
chibundu onuzo: author & student clerk maxwell’s greatest year the economic value of nature king’s campaign takes off
Contents Welcome InTouch Spring 2011
Past and present, from the banks of the Thames to all corners of the world, London sits at a crossroads of culture, commerce and even time – and King’s is at the heart of London. In this issue of InTouch we mark the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible, written in part in London, and we profile a writer of the future, Chibundu Onuzo, a second-year undergraduate from Nigeria who has signed a two-novel deal with Faber and Faber. We look back to 1861, an amazing year for James Clerk Maxwell, and we feature Dr Mark Mulligan, an academic looking to the future of natural resources conservation. And of course we invite you to learn about this year’s Alumni Weekend, which will be a Journey of the Senses. It’s a weekend that promises to showcase much of what makes King’s one of the finest universities in the world.
what’s inside 2 The Big Picture
11 Campaign Update
18 Clerk Maxwell’s greatest year
A moment in time for a King’s medical student working in Nigeria
Dr ’Funmi Olonisakin discusses the African Leadership Centre, and a 700-year-old organisation helps King’s prepare healthcare professionals for the future
What physicist wouldn’t wish for his achievements of 1861?
4 Update
David Dacam OBE proves university is not just for the young, Katie Sambrook shares her favourite items in the Foyle Special Collections Library and Professor David Carpenter talks about royal weddings
14 Young author, bright future
Chibundu Onuzo talks about her childhood in Nigeria, her writing and her future
20 Co$ting Nature
Assigning a monetary value to a conserved forest or wetland just might help protect those resources 22 The King James Bible at 400
Three King’s scholars talk about the history, impact and continued significance of this landmark translation 26 Charley Hill
This theology student-turned-art detective has recovered enough masterpieces to open his own wing of the National Gallery 28 Community
Look ahead to this year’s Alumni Weekend and learn about alumni activities taking place around the globe 46 Logic Puzzle anna schori
Four hats, three students and one eccentric professor 47 Letters 48 This I’ve Learned: Luke Janssen, CEO of TigerSpike, talks about his approach to working in the competitive world of personal media
In Touch is the magazine for the alumni and friends of Chelsea College, Guy’s Hospital Dental and Medical Schools, the Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College London, King’s College of Household and Social Science, King’s College School of Medicine and Dentistry, the Nightingale Institute, Normanby College, Queen Elizabeth College, the Royal Dental Hospital, St John’s Institute of Dermatology, St Thomas’ Medical School, UMDS.
Get InTouch Alumni benefits and services
Editor James Bressor Assistant Editor
Tel +44 (0)20 7848 3053 Email alumoff@kcl.ac.uk
Editorial Assistant
Editorial (alumni publications and website)
Tel +44 (0)20 7848 4703 Email amanda.calberry@kcl.ac.uk In Touch, King’s College London, Ground Floor Office, Strand Bridge House, 138-142 Strand, London, WC2R 1HH
Christian Smith Amanda Calberry Contributors Lucy Alder, Louise Bell, James Bressor, Megan Bruns, Rachael Corver, Mark Hazlewood, Christine Kenyon Jones, Judith Kerr, Louise King, the King’s College London Press Office, the King’s College London Students’ Union, Saskia Rogerson, Christian Smith and Amy Webb
Photography Elisabeth
Scheder-Bieschin (cover) Mischa Haller, Phil Sayer, Tim Taylor, Anna Schori Illustrations Paul Blow Design Esterson Associates ©King’s College London 2011 Repro DawkinsColour Print Warners
Alumna Greer Garson is remembered In Touch has been produced using paper from sustainable sources, and bleached using an Elemental Chlorine-free (ECF) process. The paper is produced at a mill that meets the ISO 14001 environmental management standard and the EMAS environmental management standard. The magazine is fully recyclable.
The next issue of In Touch will be published in Autumn 2011. In Touch is published by the King’s College London Alumni & Community Office. The opinions expressed in it are those of the writers concerned and not necessarily those of the College.
For more alumni news go to www.alumni. kcl.ac.uk
spring 2011 IN TOUCH
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ALL EYES
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spring 2011
For several years now the College’s five health Schools have jointly held a photo contest to showcase the artistic talent of fifth-year students who have studied and worked abroad. This year’s Global Lessons Elective Photography Awards competition invited students to submit images that captured their clinical experience as well as photographs that reflected the culture of local communities. The 2011 competition received 185 submissions, showcasing daily life and healthcare services from Australia to Tanzania,
Peru to Manhattan’s Times Square. Medical student Chris Onyema, who worked in Nigeria for two months, submitted this short-listed image entitled ‘Eagle Eyes’, capturing the intensity of students crammed into an operating room at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital. They are watching a surgeon performing a tendon release operation on a four-year-old boy suffering from clubfoot. The competition’s 18 short-listed images are available at www.kcl.ac.uk/medicine/news/2011.
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Update From the Principal While King’s is an internationally recognised university, we are able to break through barriers and establish creative, powerful collaborations
In November the College launched World questions|King’s answers, our five-year, £500 million fundraising effort. It is the largest campaign by any UK university other than Cambridge and Oxford, a truly ambitious endeavour that will have global reach. One of the campaign’s central thrusts is to nurture collaboration across our campuses and beyond, to combine the expertise of academics, researchers and clinicians from multiple disciplines to address many of the greatest challenges facing humanity. Our College regularly collaborates with other universities, with hospitals and with trusts. Sometimes we bring together outstanding researchers who work at different institutions; at other times we match the interest of a funder with the expertise we possess at King’s. Occasionally we identify a need so pressing that we create entirely new interdisciplinary programmes. In the past year, for example, we launched
a BSc in Global Health, a one-year intercalated degree, to prepare a new generation of professionals who can address health challenges within the political, cultural and economic contexts of our time. This programme will benefit individuals in many fields, including humanitarian relief, international development, public health and research. Students in this programme take classes focusing on issues such as health systems, communicable diseases and international conflict and security. Other times collaboration provides the opportunity for new information and inspiration to reveal themselves, and often the partnerships are not obvious. In February, the College’s Anatomy Theatre & Museum presented a production of Samuel Beckett’s Not I, a play that features the mouth of a person
‘Often the partnerships we create are not obvious’
speaking, with the rest of the individual blacked out. The mouth is usually seen as a metaphor for something else. However, immediately after the performance on this evening Dr Pat Reynolds from the Dental Institute spoke about the mouth not in a symbolic sense but instead talked about dental records and how dentists light a mouth in order to facilitate treatment. One of King’s great strengths is that although we are a top-ranked university with globally recognised faculty members, we are nimble enough to break through barriers and bring staff from multiple disciplines together. Creating collaboration isn’t always easy, but connecting academics and researchers from disparate fields will often lead to great advancements. This is one more reason why I encourage all alumni to support World questions|King’s answers. Collaboration will improve our efforts to understand the mind, reduce suffering from cancer and help create more just and stable
Professor Peter Adamson of King’s Philosophy Department has launched a series of podcasts designed to cover the entire history of philosophy – without any gaps. ‘There are lots of podcasts out there, but I wanted to give a sense of how the history of philosophy unfolded and put some of the key thinkers into a wider context,’ explains Professor Adamson. ‘Plus, my podcasts are designed to be accessible to everyone. You don’t need any prior knowledge, but there’s enough detail to interest students of philosophy, and our expert interviews add different perspectives to familiar topics.’ 4 IN TOUCH
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Each podcast lasts about 20 minutes – perfect, as Professor Adamson puts it, for ‘listening while you’re cooking dinner, commuting to work or going for a run’. The series, which received support through an Annual Fund grant to the Teaching Innovation Fund, began with the origins of Greek philosophy, with an emphasis on Plato’s dialogues. New podcasts are posted each Monday. You can download the latest – or catch up on previous episodes – from iKing’s or iTunes. Find out more at www. historyofphilosophy.net or join the History of Philosophy With No Gaps Facebook group.
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Bite-size philosophy
Plato: immerse yourself in his dialogues while cooking dinner
Making a difference to…
greg funnell
Following on from the successful launch of the £500 million World questions|King’s answers fundraising campaign in November, King’s Development & Alumni Department has now joined forces with counterparts from King’s Health Partners to create Europe’s first integrated education and health fundraising team. The partners include some of the best known names in UK healthcare and research: Guy’s, St Thomas’, King’s College Hospital and the Maudsley. The combined team will be known as ‘Fundraising & Supporter Development’ and will
A first in Europe
link together fundraising for education, teaching and research across the College with the healthcare fundraising of the partner hospital charities of Guy’s and St Thomas’, King’s College Hospital and the Maudsley. The new organisation strengthens and enhances vital King’s College London fundraising initiatives, while adding the community-based fundraising and challenge events that the hospitals are known for. King’s alumni will continue to hear from the College via the Alumni & Community Office with the same range of events, services and benefits. All alumni, including medical and nursing alumni or those who have a personal connection with the King’s partner hospitals, will be able to stay in touch with developments in medical research and clinical care at these sites. This new partnership will make it easier for alumni and patients to give to projects they want to support at the College or its partner hospitals.
Future coaches
chris sawyer
King’s joins forces with hospital fundraising
Boxing: one of many sports in the Coaching Education Programme
The programme enhances students’ employability as participants demonstrate their commitment to volunteering
iPhone app to learn about Florence Nightingale The Florence Nightingale School of Nursing & Midwifery has launched an iPhone app, ‘Navigating Nightingale’, to tell about the life of this healthcare pioneer. The app guides users along the banks of the Thames to learn about Nightingale’s crusading work in nursing education and sanitation disposal. The app tour begins at Somerset House and takes in the South Bank and Victoria Embankment, providing revealing insights into the life of Nightingale, including her service in the Crimean War.
Visit www.kclsu.org to find out more The app is free at the iPhone Apps Store; use the search term ‘Navigating Nightingale’
Twenty-five King’s students are on track to gain a valuable sports coaching qualification, thanks to an initiative that aims to strengthen links between the College and the local community. The Coaching Education Programme was launched in 2010 with a grant of £4,600 from the College’s Annual Fund, a key component of the World questions|King’s answers campaign. The first- and second-year students will spend four weekend sessions learning coaching skills – training that would otherwise cost hundreds of pounds, putting it out of the reach of many. In return, each participant commits to providing 20 hours of volunteer coaching – a total of 500 volunteer hours – for a King’s sports club or with one of the programme’s community partners, which include local schools and charitable organisations. The emphasis at this level of training is developing the skills to enthuse and manage participants in a safe, fun environment. ‘The 25 slots filled very quickly, and we’re optimistic that this is something we can keep growing,’ says Anthony Currie, Sports Development Manager at King’s Students’ Union, which runs the programme. To learn how you can support programmes helped by the Annual Fund, please visit www.kcl.ac.uk/kingsanswers. spring 2011 IN TOUCH 5
Digging under Somerset House The East Wing sits atop more than a millennium of London’s rich archaeological history
Archaeologists working in the basement of Somerset House East Wing as part of King’s renovation project have found Saxon deposits as well as medieval and Tudor walls beneath the current building, which dates from the late-18th century. The previous Somerset House was completed in 1551 by Edward Seymour, first Duke of Somerset, Protector to the young King Edward VI. After providing a home for Princess Elizabeth before her accession in 1558, it was significantly modified by Inigo Jones for Anne of Denmark, Queen to James I, in the early 17th century. It played host to the treaty negotiations that brought the war between England and Spain to a close in 1604: an event at which William Shakespeare is known to have been present. Medieval buildings on the site included the ‘inns’ (residences) of the Bishops of Chester, Llandaff and Worcester, including stables, dining halls and private chapels, and the Strand Inn, one of the ‘inns of Chancery’ which served as dining clubs and lodgings for lawyers and trained
king’s college london archives
Update
The first Somerset House: Shakespeare visited
legal professionals alongside the larger and more famous Inns of Court. Nearby was the Church of the Innocents, whose Rector was Thomas Becket, the future Archbishop of Canterbury. In Saxon times the site was part of a port called Lundenwic, just
upriver from abandoned Roman London, which fell into disuse after Viking attacks in the 9th century. The College plans to retain these significant finds in situ and protect them with a glass cover.
premature babies is encouraging normal brain development, as well as shedding light on the biological roots of a host of neurological and psychiatric disorders.
of academic progress are not affected by school environment alone. The research also revealed that identical twins perform more alike in tests than fraternal twins.
New insight into brain development
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Genetics in the classroom
Wired in infancy
some. The researchers hope that the new imaging technique will allow doctors to measure directly whether treatment given to
Genetic factors are more important to a child’s academic success than previously believed, according to research from the Twins Early Development Study at the Institute of Psychiatry. Using data on performance in English, maths and science from more than 4,000 pairs of twins, researchers for the first time found measures
getty
Scientists at King’s have shown for the first time how ‘wiring’ in the human brain develops in the first few months of life. Myelination – the process of forming insulating layers around nerve cells – is vital for normal brain function. The King’s team, based in the National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre for Mental Health at the Institute of Psychiatry and the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, assessed the development of 14 healthy babies born at full term. By nine months, myelination was visible in all brain areas and had developed to a near-adult level in
science photo library
Reggie’s round-up
Genetics affect our learning
King’s recommends
The Foyle Special Collections The Nuremberg Chronicle
Nuremberg: Anton Koberger, 1493 This is a history of the world from creation to 1493, dividing earthly history into six ages. One of the landmarks of early printing, the Nuremberg Chronicle was a bestseller. Koberger was one of the first publishers fully to grasp the potential of illustration and the book is adorned with more than 1,800 woodcuts. The ‘Algonquin’ Genesis
Cambridge, Massachusetts: Samuel Green, 1655 The so-called ‘Algonquin’ Genesis – in fact it was written in the Natick dialect of the Massachusett language – is one of the treasures of our library. Produced as a trial-piece for an entire Massachusett Bible, which eventually appeared in 1661, this slim volume was thus the first stage in the production of the first complete Bible to be printed in the Americas.
Our copy is the only one known to survive.
John bodkin (2)
Caring for materials from medieval times to the 21st century, Special Collections Librarian Katie Sambrook shares five of her favourite items in King’s Foyle Special Collections Library
Coronation 1953
Booklets, programmes and other memorabilia In 1953, following the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, the staff of the Colonial Office assembled despatches and accompanying memorabilia sent to London by colonial governors and other senior officials all over the British Empire reporting on the celebrations held to mark the event. The collection includes many wonderfully evocative photographs of processions and carnivals. John Forbes Royle. Illustrations of the botany and other branches of the natural history of the Himalayan mountains
London: WH Allen, 1839 This beautifully illustrated masterpiece features handcoloured plates of the flora and
Glorious hand-coloured plates
fauna of the Himalayan region, many by the celebrated East India Company artist Vishnupersaud (or Vishnu Prasad, as he is sometimes known). Royle was a military surgeon by profession who became superintendent of the botanical gardens at Saharanpur and developed an interest in traditional Indian medicine. He later served as King’s first professor of materia medica, what we would now call pharmacology. Orient Steam Navigation Company Ltd. Illustrated guide of the Orient Line of steamers between England & Australia
The Nuremberg Chronicle was an early bestseller
London: Maclure & Macdonald, 1883? This guide is a prime example of how an apparently ephemeral item can retain its importance for historians. This deluxe souvenir guide, printed for wealthy tourists making the trip to or from Australia, is a goldmine of information on social and economic conditions in late 19th century Australia; even the advertisements – for banks, hotels, meat refrigerators, self-assembly railways – help to paint a picture of the young colony. spring 2011 IN TOUCH 7
Update
The future King George VI and Queen Elizabeth on their wedding day in 1923
King’s in the media Staff consider the impact of ‘printing’ products at home and compare maths results
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Westminster Abbey
those who qualify for free school meals. But in London that figure drops, with independent school pupils eight times more likely to win a place.
Serving students
King’s is a leader among UK universities who take a higher percentage of qualified students from poor backgrounds, according to a December article in the London Evening Standard. At King’s, 5.5 per cent of students are classed as being from poor backgrounds, the highest percentage of any top university, according to a report published by the Sutton Trust. It also found that pupils from private schools are 22 times more likely to secure a place at a top university than
relationship with the Abbey as Canon, Archdeacon and finally as Dean, a position which he inherited from Reverend Eric Abbot, who was himself a former Dean of King’s. There has always been a strong link between King’s and Westminster Abbey, which led to staff, students and alumni gathering there in 2004 for a celebration marking the College’s 175th anniversary. That service was led by Dr Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury, Visitor at King’s, and the cleric who would wed Kate Middleton to Prince William. getty images (2)
Westminster Abbey only recently became a venue for royal nuptials
Professor Carpenter has attended two royal weddings at Westminster, Princess Margaret’s and Princess Anne’s, although he did not see the ceremony itself on either occasion. ‘The congregation are seated in the nave, which is at a right angle to the altar, so one watches the bride walk past and then a little later one watches the bride and groom walking back again without actually witnessing the exchange of vows.’ Professor Carpenter attended the ceremonies because his father, King’s alumnus Reverend Edward Carpenter, had a long
The end of mass production?
Mark Miodownik
Technology is emerging that will reduce society’s reliance on mass production and give us back our individuality, according to King’s physicist Mark Miodownik, who was featured in the Guardian this past November. Mass production has been a dominant influence in people’s lives since the industrial
suki dhanda
Royal weddings
For many in the United Kingdom and around the world, 2011 will be remembered as the year when Prince William and Kate Middleton exchanged vows in Westminster Abbey, one of Britain’s most recognisable houses of worship. Westminster Abbey is considered the ‘royal church’, having been the site of every coronation since 1066; however, only in the past century has it become the chosen venue for royal weddings. Despite this relatively short association, Professor David Carpenter, Chair in Medieval History at King’s and one of the country’s leading authorities on the Abbey, says, ‘A lot of people feel it very fitting that William’s wedding ought to be at the Abbey, as was his grandmother’s and greatgrandmother’s.’ The first monarch to be married at the Abbey was King George VI in 1923 while he was still Prince Albert, although he was not at that time the first in line for the throne. Queen Elizabeth II chose to follow in her parents’ footsteps and was married at the Abbey in 1947, followed by her sister Margaret in 1960 and daughter Anne in 1973. There was then a break in royal nuptials at the Abbey until 1986 when Prince Andrew married Sarah Ferguson.
mischa haller
A lifetime of learning
getty images
Retired Commodore David Dacam OBE is proof positive of the adage that you’re never too old to learn. A mere 70 when he returned to university, 10 years on he not only has a master’s degree, he has been awarded a doctorate in mathematics education from King’s. ‘I didn’t want my grey matter to deteriorate,’ he explains. Dacam’s graduation ceremony in January was a particularly special event for his family as one of his nine grandchildren, Rebecca Maclean, received her master’s in international relations from King’s on the same day. Now an analyst with the environmental research organisation Trucost, she says her grandfather’s achievements are in keeping with his inquisitive nature. ‘He’s a very enthusiastic person,’ she says. ‘He just wants to learn more all the time.’ Dacam took his first degree, in physics, at the University of Manchester, graduating in 1951. He served in the Navy for 30 years, most of it as a meteorologist. Then came his decision to return to education, first as a master’s student at Queen Mary focusing on how children learn mathematics. revolution, but 3D printing technology is emerging that will allow people to produce physical objects – from a pen to a pair of glasses – in their own homes. Hospitals are already using this technology to produce tailormade implants for patients. Why buy mass-produced household items when you can design and ‘print’ bespoke versions? ‘But this has political and economic implications too,’ Miodownik wrote. ‘As soon as our desire for material wealth is no longer linked to mass production, factories may
Surrounded by family members, David Dacam and Rebecca Maclean celebrate
Dacam was appalled by what he found: students who saw maths as too difficult or irrelevant, and teachers who lacked the right training. For his PhD he set out to explore possible solutions to the shortage of secondary maths teachers. His principal recommendation was to adjust the salary scale to reward experienced teachers for staying in the classroom rather than moving into administration. ‘Teachers at the top end earn just
1.4 times their starting salary,’ Dacam explains. ‘In the commercial sector, workers can realistically expect to see their pay at least double during their careers.’ Getting to know his fellow students was an unanticipated bonus. ‘I was expecting to be something of an outcast,’ Dacam admits. ‘But the kids at both Queen Mary and King’s treated me with total respect. At first they were put a little off because I still do things such as hold the door for
women.’ Over time, he says, he came to be something of a mentor and confidant for several students who enjoyed chatting with an older person who wasn’t a professor. Dacam says he will carry on tutoring children in maths and physics – and, he adds, there’s a six-year backlog of DIY projects at home. He’s an enthusiastic advocate for the value of education in later life. ‘It’s a marvellous way to approach your retirement years.’
science and engineering, and he delivered the 2010 Royal Institution Christmas Lectures.
research published by the Nuffield Foundation. The Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Japan, Korea, Russia, Sweden and Taiwan had the highest levels of participation, with almost all students studying maths until the age of 18. The research was undertaken by Jeremy Hodgen and David Pepper of the College’s Department of Education and Professional Studies and Linda Sturman and Graham Ruddock of the National Foundation for Educational Research.
Teens and maths
Students in the UK are avoiding maths
become redundant, and shops too.’ In addition to this article, The Times Eureka magazine listed Miodownik as one of the top 100 most important people in British
The Times Higher Education in January reported that fewer than one in five students in England, Wales and Northern Ireland study any kind of mathematics after GCSE, the lowest participation in a comparative study of 24 countries. In most of the countries surveyed, more than half of upper secondary students study maths, according to
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Pilot for Alzheimer’s brain scan New scan can provide accurate results within 24 hours
King’s scientists are the first to use an advanced computer program to accurately detect the early signs of Alzheimer’s disease from a routine clinical brain scan. The new scan can return 85 per cent accurate diagnostic results in under 24 hours. The scan has been developed at the National Institute for Health Research’s Biomedical Research Centre for Mental Health at the Institute of Psychiatry (IoP). It is now being ‘field tested’ with patients at the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust in Croydon, Lambeth and Southwark. The ‘Automated MRI’ software compares a patient’s brain scan image against 1,200 others, each showing varying stages of Alzheimer’s disease. This collection of images is thought to be the largest of its kind in the world. Early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s is vital, allowing care to be planned before the condition worsens, helping individuals avoid institutionalisation and dramatically improving their quality of life. It is also a costeffective and efficient way to manage and organise treatment of the disease, which accounts for
Dental Academy opens
Professor Simon Lovestone
roughly two-thirds of the 750,000 dementia cases in the UK. Currently, Alzheimer’s is diagnosed by observing symptoms, typically by giving patients memory tests at sixmonth intervals and comparing the results. ‘Can you imagine what that feels like to be told to go away and come back in six months?’ says Simon Lovestone, Professor of Old Age Psychiatry at the IoP. The new scan can be made routinely in the clinic, with results available to doctors within hours.
greg funnell
Update In partnership with King’s Dental Institute, the University of Portsmouth has opened an innovative £9 million Dental Academy in the heart of Portsmouth for training dental care professionals and providing dental care for local residents. Every year, 80 final-year dental students from King’s will join dental hygiene and therapy students, as well as dental nursing students, from Portsmouth to train and work together in teams. Supervised by tutors, the students provide dental treatment and advice to an estimated 2,000 patients from Portsmouth, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Health Minister Lord Howe praised the facility for bringing dental services to a region with significant oral health needs. ‘They are providing first-class training and education for our future dentists and dental care professionals and excellent services to patients in the area.’
Revisiting WS Gilbert
In the previous issue of InTouch we described librettist WS Gilbert as ‘King’s, Law, 1857’. We were wrong! Further research has revealed that Gilbert studied at King’s from 1853-5, and graduated from the University of London in 1857, but with a BA, not a law degree. For this he had to pass exams in classics; Grecian, Roman and English history; mathematics and natural philosophy; animal physiology; logic and moral philosophy; and either French or German. Since in 1854 Gilbert was involved in having the
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King’s Engineering Society redesignated as the ‘Shakespearian and Dramatic Reading Society’, some correspondents have wondered
whether he studied engineering at King’s. In fact College records show that he was registered with the Department of General Literature & Science. He got good marks for English, but the French teacher commented that he was ‘Frequently absent, inattentive’. Information by light
WS Gilbert: disinterested in French
An international team of scientists led by King’s College London has taken a step towards developing optical components for super-fast computers and
high-speed internet services of the future. This has the potential to revolutionise data processing speeds by transmitting information via light beams rather than electric currents. The researchers are studying the science of ‘nanoplasmonic devices’ that contain nanoscale metal structures, more than 1,000 times smaller than the size of a human hair, capable of guiding and directing light. This technology allows information to be sorted by beams of light at very high speeds.
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Reggie’s round-up
Campaign Update Preparing for a new generation of leaders The goal of the African Leadership Centre is nothing less than to prepare women and men who will transform a continent
King’s work in Africa is a perfect example of how through the World questions|King’s answers campaign the College is deploying its expertise regarding societies in transition. A unique collaboration between King’s and its African partners, the African Leadership Centre (ALC) has already begun to contribute to Africa’s long-term social, political and economic development by mentoring and training fellows – the next generation of talented leaders, many of them women. Launched in Nairobi last year, the ALC is already causing ‘a buzz’, says its Director, Dr ’Funmi Olonisakin. What really resonates with an African audience, she says, is that this is the first time a peace, security and development centre has been opened on the continent in such a way. ‘While other European and US universities have opened campuses, we are deliberately seeking to put the centre on the ground in partnership with African institutions, so it will become autonomous. We have created a centre not just about awarding degrees but emphasising core values, emphasising the transformation of the African continent. That’s why there’s a buzz.’ The ALC is already a highly respected generator of African research. Dr Olonisakin cites how ALC research influenced the Economic Community of West
Dr ’Funmi Olonisakin
African States conflictprevention framework and the UN Economic Commission for Africa’s position on the role of women in peace and security. It has become a resource that key regional and government bodies can draw on, the result of building powerful relationships over many years.
Making a direct impact
Visit www.kcl.ac.uk/ kingsanswers to learn more
The ALC’s Nairobi centre took in just 14 fellows in its first year – but it’s growing. With more fundraising the number will rise to 50 per year. ‘Donations make a direct impact,’ says Dr Olonisakin. ‘They are important for creating the numbers of fellows, and to connect them with others who have been through the programme. ‘When you connect people
and ideas, and you give people the freedom to test those ideas, it is a powerful thing and can ignite into almost anything.’ King’s is looking to raise £5 million to support the ALC through World questions|King’s answers. A gift of £7,000 would cover the cost of four mentors. To learn more, please call +44 (0)20 7848 4701 or email giving@kcl.ac.uk.
The ALC’s starting point is its impact on individual Africans, particularly the young. ‘It gives young people the chance to live the dreams that they thought had died. You can’t detach that from the nature of continent. Many Africans no longer have a fighting chance to reach their fullest potential, because of bad governance and failed central planning, which did not envisage the massive rise in population that exists now – this “youth bulge”. The system cannot accommodate them. ‘The ALC is a small thing, but it has a big dream, and that excites people. It works on a case-by-case basis, literally,’ says Dr Olonisakin. ‘We want to transform individual lives and also help them through placements so they are better placed to transform the institutions in which they work.’ spring 2011 IN TOUCH 11
Campaign Update
From left, EMDP students Chris Mogekwu, Lourdes Mariathas, Vimal Bedia, Chenai Mautsi and Des Owusu
Finding tomorrow’s doctors An ancient society helps King’s prepare future healthcare professionals
Sir Cyril Chantler, founder of the Extended Medical Degree Programme
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Supported by the Worshipful Company of Barbers, one of London’s oldest institutions associated with medicine, King’s is reaching out to young people who might want to become healthcare professionals. After visiting an inner London school Sir Cyril Chantler, the former Dean of the Medical School at Guy’s Hospital, became aware that very few pupils from London’s nonselective state schools gained admission to medical school. In response he started an Extended Medical Degree Programme (EMDP), which since 2001 has enabled students from disadvantaged areas of London to gain admission to the medical school with A-level grades lower than those normally expected. These students take an extra year to complete the pre-clinical part of the course, but they need to pass all assessments at the same level as other students. From their third pre-clincal year onwards they follow the same course and must reach the same pass
standard in degree exams. The scheme has proven to be a great success, with several early graduates proving the equal of students who entered with the highest A-level grades. The EMDP course now admits students from non-selective state schools in all 33 London boroughs, as well as Kent and Medway. To ensure that eligible schoolchildren know about the possibilities of gaining a place at a medical school, King’s initiated the Outreach for Medicine programme. In one of the programme’s many outreach events, King’s research scientists and clinicians deliver a wide range of Science & Medicine in Action lectures to sixth formers from eligible schools and colleges. Many EMDP students serve as ambassadors to the schools, providing the pupils with inspirational role models. Graham Hamilton, who teaches science at La Retraite RC Girls’ School in Lambeth, says, ‘I can say without hesitation that this outreach programme has done more to encourage
aspiration and raise attainment than any other I have been involved with.’ In 2008, the Worshipful Company of Barbers was looking for a worthy cause to support with the proceeds of its 700th anniversary appeal. Dr John Cook, a liveryman and King’s alumnus who studied for his PhD at Guy’s Hospital, discovered the Outreach for Medicine programme while reading InTouch. At his suggestion the Worshipful Company of Barbers agreed to support the programme for seven years through its anniversary appeal. This has enabled the programme to appoint an outreach officer, allowing staff to forge new links with eligible schools and strengthen existing ties. Says Dr Cook, ‘The Worshipful Company of Barbers is delighted to be associated with the Outreach for Medicine programme as it clearly gives many children an excellent opportunity to achieve their full potential and gain a place on a medical degree course.’
phil sayer
Campaign giving tops £214 million King’s historic campaign will touch every campus at the College
Renovations funded through the campaign are returning Somerset House to its former glory
mental health, Leadership & society and Cancer. The campaign also encompasses the Annual Fund, which supports student and faculty initiatives across King’s five campuses, as well as the construction or renovation of three landmark buildings: the East Wing of Somerset House, the Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute and the Cicely Saunders Institute of Palliative Care. Renovation of the East Wing is scheduled for completion in the autumn of this year. The grand
Georgian building will offer attractive conference areas as well as exhibition spaces for the public and staff to enjoy. Construction crews working in the East Wing during the autumn and winter have stabilised deteriorated lath-and-plaster ceilings, created new lift shafts and refurbished the exterior Portland stone. A variety of naming opportunities are available in the East Wing. To learn more about supporting this once-in-a-lifetime renovation project, please visit www.kcl.ac.uk/kingsanswers. greg funnell
The Strand Campus has another Reggie! Alumnus Willie Kwan (Law, 1959) made a gift to establish an informal space for undergraduate law students in the East Wing of Somerset House. To be known as ‘Willie’s Common Room’, it will be guarded by Reggie, King’s fearless mascot.
Alumni and friends are responding generously to World questions|King’s answers, the most ambitious fundraising effort in the College’s history. By the end of February 2011, the campaign had raised £214.5 million – well on the way to the overall fundraising goal of £500 million. When the College publicly launched World questions|King’s answers in early November, total campaign giving already stood at £197 million. Achievements since the launch include: • The Lisbon-based Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation has pledged more than £525,000 over three years for King’s to research and recommend ways to improve palliative care in Portugal. • The Heathside Trust made a gift of £100,000 to ensure continued support for research into robotic surgery for cancer patients. World questions|King’s answers focuses principally on urgent global challenges in three priority areas: Neuroscience &
The Strand Campus was buzzing on the day of the campaign’s launch
spring 2011 IN TOUCH 13
Writer Chibundu Onuzo is forging a stellar literary reputation while still an undergraduate, another King’s student earning wide recognition
Star pupil
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Onuzo’s Lagos childhood. The daughter of two physicians, she grew up in a comfortable home, the youngest of four children. Nigeria under the military dictatorship of Sani Abacha in the 1990s was troubled and violent, but Onuzo spent her early years untouched within ‘a little bubble’. Her house was filled with books, and with her mother’s encouragement Onuzo became a voracious reader. She can remember the first story she wrote, at age 10, about a group of American children who travel back in time and meet some Native Americans. She shared the story with a classmate, who liked the tale, encouraging her to continue. ‘So I wrote about 100 pages of this terrible, terrible, book, and printed it up. I showed it to my mom and forced her to read it. After page five she says, “It’s not interesting. Why don’t you write about something you know?” I stopped writing that book. There were a lot of other failed attempts.’ For years, she couldn’t shake her predilection for writing about Americans – maybe due in part to the American TV shows she watched. ‘Nigeria wasn’t interesting. I didn’t see it as fiction-worthy. Fiction was American high school,’ she says. Only when she went to secondary school in England at age 14 did she begin paying attention to Nigerian politics and start writing about life in Lagos. That same year one of her sisters gave her The Writers’ and Artists’ Yearbook, which included a directory of literary agents. ‘This was when I started taking
Next in a line of Nigerian authors, Chibundu Onuzo’s first novel will arrive in bookstores in early 2012
My career options are very flexible at the moment
Elisabeth Scheder-Bieschin
A mere 20 years old, still an undergraduate at King’s and uncertain about what career to pursue, Chibundu Onuzo has options few could imagine. She has just become the youngest female writer ever to be signed by Faber and Faber, one of the UK’s premier publishers. Her first novel, The Spider King’s Daughter, will arrive in bookstores in early 2012. She has been interviewed by CNN and is already hailed as one of Nigeria’s best young writers. Yet she dismisses her success. Chatting in a classroom in the Maughan Library, her favourite building at King’s, she apologises cheerfully as she struggles to give a synopsis of The Spider King’s Daughter. ‘I really do need to work on how to summarise this book in a paragraph.’ She is quick to smile and joke, emphasising particular words with different tones in her voice as she talks about her life and craft. Asked if she rises early to write – the way some authors keep to a disciplined daily routine – she laughs and explains that, no, she squeezes her writing in between terms, or during the night in the flat she shares with her sister, a mechanical engineering student at Imperial. She also finds time to play the piano, blog, draft plays and write and perform her own music, which she describes as neo-soul. Writing novels is just part of the mix. Set in her native Lagos, The Spider King’s Daughter explores the friendship between a male street hawker and a young woman from a wealthy family. ‘The big question I’m trying to find through these two characters is if, given the social structure of Lagos, two people from those backgrounds can form any kind of meaningful connection – not necessarily romantic, but any sort of connection,’ she says. The novel uses two first-person narratives to explore the relationship from both central characters’ point of view, analysing their mutual mistrust and apprehension. ‘Even when things seem to be sunny and bright, do they actually know each other?’ Sunny and bright are two words that might describe
my writing seriously,’ she says. Within a year she had sent some short stories to an agent, which were rejected. Soon she started focusing on a novel, and by the time she was 17 she had written 30 pages of The Spider King’s Daughter. ‘The book just wasn’t going anywhere. So I just thought to myself, “I’m going to send this to some agents, these 30 pages I have, and if they don’t take it I’m going to stop writing.” I prayed about it: “Dear God, if they don’t take this book I’m not meant to be a writer. I’m going to study medicine.”’ She duly posted the pages, and within a few weeks received an answer asking to see the rest of the book which, of course, didn’t exist. For the next six months she worked on the novel. She followed her agent’s advice, picking up the pace and adding the second narrative, and finished a complete draft just before her A-level exams. Her agent brought the book to Faber, and by February 2010 Onuzo had signed a two-novel deal. Onuzo then started another, even more comprehensive round of revisions, working with Faber Editor Sarah Savitt, who says she was attracted by the book’s characters. ‘It’s hard to create believable characters that jump off the page,’ says Savitt. ‘That’s what really intrigued me.’ Over 12 months Onuzo and Savitt focused on the book’s pacing and filled out the characters’ back stories. ‘She had lived with these characters for so long that maybe she hadn’t made their motivation clear,’ says Savitt. Although passionate about reading, Onuzo is studying history at King’s and is not taking English classes, mainly because she’s uncomfortable with literary analysis. She’s not concerned if readers interpret The Spider King’s Daughter in multiple ways, however. ‘Maybe at first I wanted my view to be held by everybody. But you learn – especially if you listen to authors giving interviews – that you don’t have sole ownership of the interpretation of your book,’ she says. Onuzo says she will return to live in Lagos at some point in the future, possibly after pursuing a master’s degree in London. She’s still not sure what she’ll do next, though. She might look for work with a non-profit organisation and go back to Nigeria to help create jobs for some of the millions now unemployed. ‘My career options are very flexible at the moment,’ she says. ‘I went to see the musical Legally Blonde yesterday and I came out thinking that I want to be a lawyer.’ 16
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While poverty and unemployment are still widespread, Onuzo says life is improving in Lagos, and young, educated Nigerians are returning
To get the journey started, I’ve always needed a why not?
jacob silberberg/panos
For now, Lagos remains the place she writes about. She is 50 pages into her next novel, which is still untitled. The story follows several characters who are striving to live their lives according to a belief system in trying circumstances. She says the book, like The Spider King’s Daughter, won’t have a central message – ‘When you try to bend the characters to a message, it doesn’t really seem right’ – but it will explore issues of morality. Faith is an important part of Onuzo’s life, just as it is for millions in Nigeria, a nation that is half Christian and half Muslim. She says everyday dilemmas in Nigeria, such as a police officer demanding a bribe, challenge people who want to live moral lives. ‘It’s a grey area. If you’re a Christian, technically you shouldn’t be giving bribes to policemen. But when you’re stopped and your car has been held for half an hour, you’re thinking, “Oh my gosh, if I just give this guy 200 naira, which is about one pound, then I can continue on my journey,”’ she says. ‘You think, “OK, where do I draw the line?”’ At one point during the conversation Onuzo laughs and calls herself a lazy writer, someone who just scribbles a few words when she feels the time is right. She is modest, and seems more comfortable talking about the books she never finished than the novels that will get published. In one of her blog posts, however, she acknowledges that only hard work makes for good writing. ‘Listening to successful writers give interviews and readings, I’ve noticed that some will mysticise their writing process. Perhaps they do channel the spirits and listen to the wind but I believe if you strip all this away, the process is the same for everyone. You get an idea, you think it’s good and you say, why not run with it? That’s the beauty of this democratic process of writing. There is no rigging here, no zoning, anyone can sit down, pick up a pen and say, why not? Some will say that not anyone can become a Mario Vargas Llosa, this year’s winner of the Nobel prize for literature, but I say the worst that can happen is your craft will improve, the best is you’ll find yourself in Stockholm. ‘I know it takes more to writing a book than this why not? attitude. There is the perseverance and the intense attention to detail, the long hours you might have to put in for only a few paragraphs of words but these things can be acquired along the way. To get the journey started, I’ve always needed a why not? Maybe they’re right and not everyone can be a writer but you’ll never find out until you try. So go ahead. Why not, because really, you have nothing to lose.’ You can read Chibundu Onuzo’s blog at www. authorsoundsbetterthanwriter. blogspot.com and see her on Alumni Online at alumni.kcl.ac.uk. Her first novel, The Spider King’s Daughter, will be published by Faber and Faber in early 2012.
rod dioso
other pursuits, other stars Many King’s students are excelling both in and outside of the classroom. Here are four students who have recently notched noteworthy achievements.
Sprinter Antonio Infantino
Filmmaker Dominic Hatje
Historian Suzanne Desrochers
Tough guy Alex Brazier
Undergraduate Antonio Infantino took second place in the 200 meters at the BUCS National Championships in February, recording his personal best time (21.54 seconds) and missing gold by less than one-tenth of a second. ‘I am pleased and surprised with the result,’ says Infantino. ‘My coach believes this could be the year I can run sub-21 seconds.’ To put that into context, the qualifying time for the 200 metres in the Olympics is 20.8 seconds. Infantino is balancing his success on track with his undergraduate studies and the second-year student turned down the opportunity to compete in Cardiff and Paris this spring to concentrate instead on his essay and field work commitments on his Religion, Philosophy & Ethics course. Infantino is part of the Kinetic Elites scheme run by KCLSU, which provides funding and training support to athletes who are studying at King’s.
A brief tale of hamsters in love netted £1,000 for third-year law student Dominic Hatje. He captured first place in PRS for Music’s Scene>>Heard competition, which challenged student filmmakers to create a 90-second interpretation of a famous quote or song lyric. Inspired by Shakespeare’s line ‘If music be the food of love, play on’ in Twelfth Night, Hatje created the short story of two toy hamsters living in a Spanish guitar player’s home. Previously, Hatje also won a film competition run by the King’s Careers Service: he directed the induction video shown to all new students at the College. Hatje is planning to direct an independent feature film after graduating. ‘The award raised my profile, and this assisted with getting the project off the ground. It helped me attract attention in the form of funding, marketing expertise and interest from creative talent at King’s who wanted to get involved.’
Suzanne Desrochers, a PhD history student, has published her first novel, Bride of New France, which tells the story of a young woman in the 17th century who was sent across the Atlantic to wed a Quebecois colonist. The novel, published by the Penguin Group, grew out of Desrochers’ master’s thesis, which she wrote as a student at York University in Toronto, about the filles du roi (king’s daughters), the young women who were shipped to Quebec, under the sponsorship of Louis XIV, to provide wives for the unmarried Frenchmen in the new colony. ‘The filles du roi are legendary in French Canada, but I wanted to revisit their history and mythology through a less nationalistic lens,’ says Desrochers, who is now writing a PhD thesis at King’s comparing the migration of women from France and England to America in the 1600s.
Crawling through mud, clambering over rocks and pushing yourself to the point of exhaustion isn’t a typical way to use your free time, but it’s a favourite pastime for Alex Brazier. In January the third-year medical student finished third in an endurance race called ‘Tough Guy’. More than 6,000 people participated in this year’s competition, which consists of a cross-country run followed by an assault course. ‘The race is ultimately very macho, but then again, there is a real sense of camaraderie,’ says Brazier, who prepared for the competition by running 60 miles a week and having a lot of exposure to cold conditions. ‘I was doing a lot of pull-ups and swimming in the Serpentine on cold January mornings,’ he says. Brazier has his sight set next on six-day, 225-kilometre competition through South American rainforest. ‘It is 35 degrees with 100 per cent humidity, so it is a real physical challenge.’
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James Clerk Maxwell’s
Photography
Recognised as one of the world’s leading physicists, Clerk Maxwell recorded two of his most important achievements in 1861 James Clerk Maxwell was Professor of Natural Philosophy at King’s from 1860-65. The year 1861 saw not only the publication of his first paper on electromagnetic theory, but also the first photograph produced according to Maxwell’s three-colour method. Born and brought up in Kirkcudbrightshire, southwestern Scotland, Maxwell came to King’s as Professor of Natural Philosophy in 1860, having been educated at Edinburgh and Cambridge universities, and held the Chair of Natural Philosophy at Marischal College, Aberdeen, from 1856. His was one of a series of daring and inspired appointments of young scientists by King’s in the 19th century, also including Charles Lyell in geology, John Frederic Daniell in chemistry, Charles Wheatstone in physics and Joseph Lister in medicine. Stimulated by his contact with London institutions, Maxwell’s five years at King’s represent the most productive period of his career.
King’s to mark anniversary King’s will celebrate James Clerk Maxwell’s achievements of 1861 with a series of lunchtime talks beginning on Tuesday 17 May. To learn about these talks and other events commemorating Clerk Maxwell’s work, please visit maxwell.kcl. ac.uk. In addition to providing information about Clerk Maxwell events on King’s campuses, the website has links to other sites with news about the renowned physicist.
Equations
Through his four-part paper, beginning with ‘On Physical Lines of Force’, published in 1861, Maxwell demonstrated that magnetism, electricity and light were different manifestations of the same fundamental laws. His 1865 paper, ‘A Dynamical Theory of the Electromagnetic Field’, published in the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London, described these, as well as radio waves, radar and radiant heat, through a unique and elegant system of four partial differential equations, which paved the way for current technologies in radio, television, telephone and information exchange. ‘We have strong reason to conclude,’ Maxwell wrote in this paper, ‘that light itself – including radiant heat and other radiation, if any – is an electromagnetic disturbance in the form of waves propagated through the electromagnetic field according to electro-magnetic laws.’ Albert Einstein, whose work on relativity and quantum theory was inspired by Maxwell’s discoveries, described how these equations produced a change in the conception of reality which was ‘the most profound and the most fruitful that physics had experienced since the time of Newton’. ‘One scientific epoch ended and another began with James Clerk Maxwell,’ Einstein remarked. 18
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The world’s first colour photograph, taken under the direction of James Clerk Maxwell
At King’s
As well as developing his electromagnetic and colour theories, while he was at King’s Maxwell extended his statistical theories on the nature of gases and developed the standards for measuring electrical resistance. He found, however, that he was short of time to pursue his scientific research, and in 1865 he left London and retired to his Scottish estate. In 1871 he was appointed the first Cavendish Professor of Natural & Experimental Philosophy at Cambridge. Maxwell is commemorated at King’s in the building named after him at Waterloo and by the Clerk Maxwell Chair of Theoretical Physics, currently occupied by Professor John Ellis FRS. The Maxwell Society organises regular public lectures, and the College Archives hold some of his notebooks. National Media Museum / Science & Society Picture Library
greatest year
Maxwell first suggested the three-colour method, which is the foundation of both chemical and electronic photographic processes, in a paper on ‘Experiments in Colour’, published in 1855 and five years later he won the Royal Society’s Rumford Medal for his work on colour and colour-blindness. He realised that all the colours of nature can be counterfeited to the human eye by mixing red, green and blue in proportions which stimulate the three types of cells in the eye to the same degrees that the ‘real’ colours do. He suggested that if three colourless photographs of the same scene were taken through red, green and blue filters, and transparencies made from them were projected through the same filters and superimposed on a screen, the result would be an image reproducing all the colours in the original scene. The first photograph made according to Maxwell’s suggestion was a set of three ‘colour separations’ of a tartan ribbon, created to illustrate an 1861 lecture given by Maxwell at the Royal Institution. The image was taken by Thomas Sutton, lecturer on photography at King’s, inventor of the single-lens reflex camera. As Maxwell noted, the results were imperfect because of the insensitivity of 1860s photographic materials to red and green light, and later researchers have demonstrated that the ‘red’ and ‘green’ images were in fact created by light from the blue-ultraviolet region of the spectrum, which was not adequately blocked by the filters. Maxwell’s suggestion was not followed through to produce practical results until some 30 years later.
Costing the
earth Dr Mark Mulligan is finding ways to measure the economic value of unspoiled, unexploited nature
How do you put a price on nature? Beyond charging for admission, is there a measurable, redeemable economic value in a protected Andean cloud forest, for example? What about the greenhouse gases it sucks from the atmosphere, or the contaminants it filters from the water supply? Today, more than 12 per cent of the world’s land surface is designated as a protected area. Such places have obvious value in terms of the habitat they preserve, but it is only recently that interest has started to grow in the worth of the so-called ‘ecosystem services’ they provide. Ecosystem services – such as reliable clean water, soil formation and climate regulation – are critical to sustainability. In a largely urbanised society, though, people are increasingly disconnected from the land that produces and supports these essential services. Rising populations and increasing consumption create conflict between the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals of ‘environmental sustainability’ and ‘ending poverty and hunger’. Many countries, particularly in the developing world, lack the capacity to monitor and manage threats to conservation. As a result, in the words of Dr Mark Mulligan, Reader in Physical Geography at King’s, some protected areas are ‘little more than “paper parks”’.
science photo library
USING NEO-GEO TOOLS
An excellent way to ensure that protected areas really are protected is to find ways to value – and pay for – ecosystem services. Dr Mulligan and his team have developed a tool, Co$ting Nature, that uses satellitederived data to measure the worth of the water-, carbonand tourism-related services provided by protected areas and draws on web-based mapping technology like Google Earth, Google Maps and Bing 20
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Glass frogs Diego F Cisneros-Heredia, one of Dr Mulligan’s master’s students, recently completed a dissertation study of glass frogs (Centrolenidae) in and around the protected areas of Ecuador, discovering seven new species. Habitat loss and climate change mean the frogs face an uncertain future, with half the species threatened by extinction. The study also found that the Ecuadorian system of protected areas plays an important conservation role, effectively protecting habitats from deforestation and mitigating the impacts of climate change.
Maps (so-called ‘neo-geo’ tools) to present findings as a series of interactive maps. Co$ting Nature has been used to estimate the amount of carbon stored in protected areas and the atmospheric carbon dioxide sequestered by them annually. Since carbon is now a commodity, the service has a clear economic value. The tool also has obvious relevance to one of the most pressing resource challenges of our time – water. With one in five of the world’s population already lacking safe drinking water, and consumption set to rise by around 40 per cent in the next 20 years, the role of protected areas in ensuring water quality is becoming more and more important. ‘We’ve used Co$ting Nature to assess how much of a city’s water has been filtered through an upstream protected area, and the extent to which that has diluted contaminants and improved water
Dr Mark Mulligan and his students are attempting to determine the economic value of conserved areas such as the Sierra Nevada National Park in Venezuela, above. Tools such as Co$ting Nature can help protect endangered species, including glass frogs, left
david evans/getty images
quality,’ Dr Mulligan says. ‘That service would otherwise have to be provided by more costly water treatment or water transfer.’ PAYMENT FOR ECOSYSTEM SERVICES
Demand for clean water must also be balanced against other human needs such as food production. ‘Protected areas that filter a lot of water and which are upstream of dense populations or large dams are particularly valuable,’ Dr Mulligan explains. ‘But we must maintain a balance between protected areas and agriculture in the landscape.’ Dr Mulligan and his PhD students have used scholarship funding from King’s and Google.org to map over 36,000 of the world’s large dams: points at which water becomes an economic ‘service’, whether for hydropower, irrigation or urban water supply. The information is now being used by conservation, development and
governmental organisations to support payment for ecosystem services (PES) schemes, which offer incentives to farmers and others who manage the land for conservation of ecosystem services. PES schemes form an important part of the Challenge Programme on Water and Food in the Andes, where Dr Mulligan and his team are working on a range of projects that aim to improve access to water, while safeguarding the region’s high levels of biodiversity. They have just begun a new four-year project looking at how large urban centres such as Quito and Bogota can set up conservation funds, using the premiums charged by water companies for higher quality water drawn from forests above. Though it is still difficult to put a value on biodiversity, it is evident that it is inherently important – and that high levels of
biodiversity tend to occur in areas that also provide significant ecosystem services. The UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) calls on signatories to carry out biodiversity inventories as a first step towards halting its decline. New targets currently being developed by the CBD countries reflect the need to put an economic value on nature, and the new International Science Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services will act as the biodiversity equivalent of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. ‘We’ll be hearing much more about biodiversity and ecosystem services in the next decade,’ says Dr Mulligan. ‘We can only hope that the new focus on valuing the role of ecosystem services in development and economic prosperity will be good news for biodiversity – and for the ecosystem services upon which we all depend.’ spring 2011 IN TOUCH
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A masterpiece of the English language that served as a sacred text for millions and influenced the secular world for four centuries
the king James bible at
This year marks the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible, the definitive English translation of the Bible for three centuries and arguably the single most influential work of English literature. Although no longer read in most UK churches today, it remains a powerful source of ideas and language. In Touch asked three scholars at King’s to talk about the creation of the King James Bible, its place in English literature and how it is used today at the College. Dr Rivkah Zim’s courses for first- and third-year English Department students include studies of the biblical contexts of English literature. Her book English Metrical Psalms: Poetry as Praise and Prayer 1535-1601 has just been re-issued in paperback by Cambridge University Press. Alister McGrath, Professor of Theology, Ministry and Education, is the author of In the Beginning: The Story of the King James Bible and How it Changed a Nation, a Language and a Culture, which will be reissued this spring to mark this anniversary. The Revd Professor Richard A Burridge has been Dean of King’s since 1993 and was appointed
Professor of Biblical Interpretation in 2008. He has written several books on Jesus and the gospel, including What are the Gospels? A Comparison with Graeco-Roman Biography and Four Gospels, One Jesus? Predecessors
There were only a small number of English language Bibles before 1500. With improvements in printing and the emergence of Protestantism, however, the 16th century brought several new translations. They included the 1526 Bible of William Tyndale, who translated the Old and New Testaments into English from the original Hebrew and Greek and was executed for his work; the 1560 Geneva Bible, with its marginal notes that questioned the authority of monarchs, written by Protestant exiles living in Switzerland; and the 1568 Bishops’ Bible authorised by Matthew Parker, Archbishop of Canterbury. Were any of these earlier translations widely read? Professor McGrath: ‘The only one of them that had lasting power was the Geneva Bible of 1560, which was very successful at a popular level. But it was distrusted by the powers that be because they felt it was subversive. One of the reasons we think James wanted to authorise a new translation was to have a Bible that wouldn’t have contentious marginal notes.
Right, the King James Bible in the Foyle Special Collections Library is a 1613 edition, although the New Testament title page says otherwise. Left, King James, whose name will forever be linked to this translation
corbis
400 In addition to its religious and literary significance, the King James Bible is part of our everyday language. Many common phrases heard today come from the work of scholars who translated Hebrew and Greek versions of the Bible into English centuries ago – including from strength to strength (Psalm 84:7), fight the good fight (1 Timothy 6:12) and den of thieves (Matthew 21:13). ‘The translators clearly thought that the best translation was a
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literal translation of each original sentence, retaining the original word order wherever possible,’ says Professor McGrath. ‘So instead of adapting Hebrew and Greek phrases to English forms of speech, they simply translated them literally. ‘These fundamentally foreign verbal expressions became accepted as normal English through the influence of this major public text.’ If we think all of these common
phrases originated with the scholars who wrote the King James Bible in the early 1600s, however, there is a fly in the ointment (Ecclesiastes 10:1). Linguist David Crystal says its authors should not receive too much credit for creating popular English idioms. Commenting recently in The Guardian, he said he read the entire translation and counted 257 everyday phrases in the King James Bible, but noted that many of them were also found in 16th
century translations. Nevertheless, there is no question that the King James Bible popularised these phrases as it took root (Isaiah 27:6) as the pre-eminent translation in English-speaking nations for most of the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. When you think about the impact of this translation on English idioms, both in terms of phrases it created or propagated, you could say it turned the world upside down (Acts 17:6).
john bodkin
Everyday phrases from 1611
getty images
The Geneva Bible was read in the privacy of your home. But there were a lot of people who did read it and they were quite influential people. So the problem was that it created a sense of suspicion about the monarchy on the part of some quite well-educated people. So you can see why James wanted to get something else out there.’ Ad fontes
Hoping to avoid the religious strife that had plagued Elizabeth during her reign, he summoned religious leaders and scholars to a conference at Hampton Court in 1604. Creating a new English translation of the Bible was not on the agenda, but the idea emerged during the conference and James endorsed the project. Over the course of seven years, from 1604 to 1610, approximately 50 scholars worked on the new Bible, translating it into English from the original language of the testaments – but also borrowing heavily from Tyndale’s work and the Geneva and Bishops’ Bibles. Why was it important to translate this new Bible directly from the original Hebrew and Greek? Professor McGrath: ‘The great slogan of the humanist movement in the 16th century was ad fontes – going back to the original sources. It’s saying, “Look, if you have a river, it’s purest at its source. Do go back there.” One of the motivations for translating the New Testament into English was instead of being content with 16th century church life, you go back to the way it used to be and it’s purer.’ Did the translators get it right? Professor Burridge: ‘Although it is true that the scholars working on the King James Version wanted to use original Hebrew and Greek, most of the manuscripts to which they had access were actually medieval, principally 14th century. We now have access to substantially older manuscripts. I am sure the translators of the King James Version would be the first to recognise the importance of modern scholarship using older manuscripts.’ What direction were the scholars given? Dr Zim: ‘The compilers of this Bible were instructed that it should be authoritative, uniform, a force for unification in the English church and suitable to be read aloud in churches. By drawing heavily on the previous translations, such as those of Tyndale and Myles Coverdale (published in 1535), the 1611 Bible gained authority by sounding slightly old-fashioned, even to its first readers. Its sentences are on the whole short and simple in They were structure, making it easier to read aloud, and the compilers aiming for minimised the stylistic accuracy but also differences between the various they achieved books. The use of notes, which had made the Geneva Bible eloquence. was reduced It’s astonishing controversial, in 1611. The King James Bible seems to be written with a single voice. How did a group of four dozen scholars achieve this? Professor McGrath: ‘The scholars were given very good 24
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briefings on what they were looking for. Each of the six groups of translators – two in London, two in Oxford and two in Cambridge – were given a set a of basic rules to follow which helped keep them together. But of course representatives of each group met together for the final revision, and they would read the texts aloud to one another and make changes if necessary.’ Influence in the secular world
Until the arrival of the Revised Version in 1881, the King James Bible was the definitive translation for the Anglican Church and UK schools. Children grew up hearing the King James Bible read in church and in the home: not only in Britain but also in English-speaking countries throughout the world. Which authors’ work shows most evidence of the influence of the King James Bible? Dr Zim: ‘In our first-year course we’re studying the biblical contexts of texts as various as Hamlet (in particular for the references to the Cain and Abel story), Frankenstein (especially in relation to the story of the creation of Adam and Eve) and Gerard Manley Hopkins. Shakespeare’s career was, however, almost over by 1611, so the biblical influence on his work came from the earlier Geneva Bible and Bishops’ Bible. But from 1611 until the middle of the 20th century the King James Bible was the dominant, shareable, cultural norm for most writers and readers of English. Writers with a religious purpose such as Milton and Bunyan used it, but it was also a major source for writers whom we don’t necessarily think of as having a religious purpose, such as Byron, whose Hebrew Melodies drew heavily on the Old Testament. Knowledge of the Bible was also important for women writers and novelists who did not generally have access to the Greek and Latin classics in which upper-class men were educated. Charles Dickens guessed that “Currer Bell” was a woman (Charlotte Brontë) because of the extent of the biblical references and the lack of classical references in Jane Eyre.’
William Tyndale was strangled to death for translating the testaments into English, but much of his work lives on in the King James Bible
King’s marks the anniversary King’s College London will mark the King James Bible’s 400th anniversary with a series of events in the coming months. The Rt Revd Richard Chartres, Bishop of London, will discuss the King James Bible in May as part of the Eric Symes Abbott Memorial Lecture series. He will deliver his lecture, entitled ‘The Word in Print: The Authorised Version 1611 - 2011’,
on Thursday 26 May at Westminster Abbey at 18.15. A few days later King’s Foyle Special Collections Library will open an exhibition celebrating the stormy history of vernacular Bibles, tentatively scheduled to run from 2 June through 20 September. The Foyle possesses a 1613 edition of the King James Bible, also known as the ‘Judas
And over time it became admired as a work of great literature by believers and non-believers? Professor McGrath: ‘The paradox is that the scholars who wrote the King James Bible were aiming for accuracy but they achieved eloquence. It’s astonishing. The eloquence is an accident. From what we know, these scholars had no indication that this work would become a classic. It had been 40 years since the last translation. My hunch is they thought that in 40 years’ time another translation would replace theirs.’ The King James Bible today
The Foyle Special Collections Library’s King James Bible is informally known as the ‘Judas Bible’ due to an error in the Gospel According to Matthew
Regular use of the King James Bible has declined over the past century, as newer translations have appeared. Yet it remains the subject of biblical study and it continues to be the preferred translation for many Christians. Why do we teach a module on biblical contexts as part of the English degree at King’s? Dr Zim: ‘The main premise of our module is that writers are also readers, and among the factors which contribute to a reader’s response to a text is their previous experience of other literature. Since the 1930s, or thereabouts, we have largely lost the easy, personal access to the range of expectations and knowledge of the Bible which were previously shared by many writers and their readers. In order to read English literary texts
Bible’ because one verse in Matthew incorrectly refers to Jesus as Judas. On Saturday at 11.00 during Alumni Weekend, the exhibition’s curator, Katie Sambrook, will give a talk in the Maughan Library about the items on display. During the first week of July, King’s will host the Society of Biblical Literature’s annual
international conference. More than 800 scholars will converge on the Franklin-Wilkins Building 4-8 July, and presenters will include several King’s staff members. Participants in the 4 July opening ceremony on the Strand Campus will include Chairman of King’s College Council Lord Duoro, the Principal, the Archbishop of York and the Chapel Choir.
critically and knowledgeably we need to find out how to recognise the learned and religious traditions of their authors. We need to know how to read alongside their first readers, by absorbing as much as we can about their literary culture and religious sensibilities. Without a knowledge of the biblical (and classical) allusions, back-stories, literary models and generic conventions, our vision of literature lacks depth, fullness and historical perspectives.’ Has the meaning of some key words in the King James Bible changed substantially over the centuries?' Professor Burridge: ‘Yes, and to take one example you read the key passages in Isaiah in the King James Bible about the judgement of God. Now if you tell people that God is coming to bring judgement, or tell people that God is coming to bring justice, although they’re both possible translations of the Hebrew word mishpat what the reader today is going to get from that are two completely different meanings. One is the sandwich board guy saying, “God is going to come and send you all to hell.” The other is that the world is a mess and the bankers are going to get their comeuppance and the poor are going to get fed. I’m quite keen on the idea of God coming, bringing justice. Most people are not keen on the idea of God bringing judgement. It’s also true that the word judgement today – especially within a theological context, after preaching gloom and doom for the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries – has acquired almost entirely negative connotations, which were probably not there in 1611 when they chose to use that word.’ After 400 years why are we still talking about the King James Bible? Professor McGrath: ‘It has endured because of its voice. It reads well. It has dignity. It has clarity. And it’s used in a way that people feel is appropriate. To give an obvious example, you take Handel’s Messiah, a very well known piece of music. It’s basically a musical setting of a series of passages from the King James Bible. It actually works very, very well. It showcases the texts.’ Do you use the King James Bible in the College Chapel today? Professor Burridge: ‘We don’t use it in regular Chapel worship because it was based on later manuscripts and it was written in a language that was beautiful at the time but is not understood by people today. This was why it was updated in the Revised Version (1880s) and the Revised Standard Version (1952). We use the New Revised Standard Version (1989) in Chapel services, as it is the great-grandchild of the King James Version, if you like. It is the leading academic translation in the English-speaking world, but it is avowedly a direct descendent of the King James. Where possible, it has kept the grand phrases, but made it more understandable and a lot more accurate.’ spring 2011 IN TOUCH
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The
art
Of being an art detective
corbis
Charley Hill has recovered several of the art world’s masterpieces, including ‘The Scream’ Charley Hill’s CV reads like a John Buchan character sketch: soldier, theology student, policeman and, most notably, art sleuth, listing enough recovered masterpieces to start a museum. So the man himself comes as a bit of a surprise: he’s soft-spoken, genial and something of a raconteur. ‘I never looked or sounded like a cop,’ he says. Sitting by the Thames in the warm spring sunshine, Hill pours out story after story. There was the time in 1994 when he snared the man who snatched Munch’s The Scream from Norway’s National Gallery. Hill posed as a Getty Museum official ready to pay a $5 million ransom in a deal that would allow the painting to be loaned to the US gallery for a blockbuster show. The enterprising subterfuge worked perfectly and he recovered the painting in a summerhouse outside Oslo just five months after it was stolen. Or how about when he helped retrieve a Vermeer, a Goya and other artwork stolen from the house of Sir Alfred and Lady Beit in Ireland by gangster Martin ‘the General’ Cahill, tracking them down to a car park at Antwerp airport while a Belgian SWAT squad arrested gang members at gunpoint inside. ‘It was quite a performance,’ says Hill. Or the case when his art sleuthing career began, back when he was a young detective sergeant, picked by the Flying Squad to help collar two old robbers who were trying to fence a stolen medieval Italian painting said to be worth £3 million. As soon as he saw it, he recognised it as a Victorian pastiche, albeit a good one – an assessment later confirmed by valuers after the robbers were arrested. The Flying Squad were so impressed with his acumen that ‘it made my career there and then’, says Hill. 26
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He has also helped to recover a Lucas Cranach stolen from the National Gallery in Prague, a Titian lifted from the Marquess of Bath’s Longleat House and many more besides. In fact, Hill’s stories come so thick and fast it’s hard to keep up. Shouldn’t this all be made into a movie or something? Funnily enough, says Hill, the Munch case was written up in a book called The Rescue Artist, which has now been optioned by PalmStar Entertainment. Neil LaBute is lined up to direct and they’ve sent the script to Russell Crowe, says Hill. ‘It’s probably sitting on a big pile,’ he shrugs. Chasing stolen art wasn’t a career that Hill chose; rather it seemed to choose him. Born in Cambridge to an English mother
Charley Hill, art detective and raconteur, whose life may end up on film. Left, Munch's The Scream, which was recovered five months after its theft
richard ansett/npg
Hill was swiftly promoted, soon reaching DCI, responsible for the Art and Antiques Squad at Scotland Yard. But such work became increasingly out of step with a changing Met that he viewed as disinterested in the cultural significance of stolen art. ‘I became a pariah,’ he says. So he left and first became risk manager for a City insurer, and then an independent security adviser and art researcher – a private investigator in all but name. Today, he’s 64 and semi-retired, but he continues to advise on security. He has just set up a new firm called the Security Consortium UK with two old colleagues to advise religious and cultural sites on the threat of ‘a resurgence of iconoclasm from within militant Islam’ in the run-up to the 2012 London Olympics. Such iconoclasm is the latest development in art crime, says Hill: what he calls ‘theft by destruction’. Meanwhile, Hill continues his art sleuthing. He’s devoted to recovering The Storm on the Sea of Galilee, Rembrandt’s only seascape, stolen from Boston’s Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum along with two other Rembrandts in the biggest art heist of all time. None of the works have been recovered, but Hill says he’s pretty sure he knows who did it – and it’s the most extraordinary story of all. He says the robbery was organised by James ‘Whitey’ Bulger, the FBI’s ‘top echelon informant’, a Boston Irish mobster brought in to ‘eviscerate’ the Italian families who ran organised crime in New England. ‘He completely gutted them, and it hasn’t recovered there since,’ says Hill. ‘The problem was he was a serial killer, who murdered 18 people while under the protection of the FBI. It was only thanks to a heroic Boston judge that he was indicted. But his FBI handlers tipped him off and he fled – and has been on the run for the last 16 years.’ Hill reckons Bulger went to Ireland, and that’s where the paintings still are today, stashed in a loft somewhere. ‘This is just my theory,’ says Hill. Maybe, but what a theory, and what a story. All it needs is a final chapter.
I realised I could think more clearly when adrenaline was flowing
and American GI father in 1947, he was educated in England, Germany and the US, before volunteering for military duty in 1967 and serving in Vietnam. He recalls the first time he came under fire. ‘I realised that I could think more clearly when adrenaline was flowing. It set the stamp for the rest of my life.’ NOT AN ORDINARY CAREER PATH
After demob, he graduated with a BA in history from George Washington University in the US and won a Fulbright Scholarship to Trinity College, Dublin. He worked in Belfast as a teacher and youth worker before coming to King’s to study theology – a prelude, he thought, to becoming a Church of England cleric.
He remembers his time at King’s fondly, particularly Ulrich Simon, lecturer, reader, professor and finally dean, and Eamon Duffy, who went on to become President of Magdalene College, Cambridge – both remarkable men who ‘knew what they were talking about and could convey it well,’ says Hill. While still at King’s, he went before the Church of England board to become a cleric – and they turned him down. It stoked his growing disillusionment with the Anglican Church – he thought it ‘bureaucratic, rudderless, lacking nerve’ – and turned instead to the Metropolitan Police, which under new Commissioner Sir Robert Mark seemed to be just the reverse: a force for good that he could work with.
spring 2011 IN TOUCH
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A weekend for the senses Book now for Alumni Weekend 2011
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Alumni Weekend 2011 promises to be a Journey of the Senses, with music, visual arts and thought-provoking discussions, all while gathering with long-time friends and renewing acquaintances. Set for the weekend of 10-12 June, the College will open its doors to alumni from all class years and offer an array of receptions, lectures, concerts and opportunities for learning about what’s new at King’s. This year’s gathering will be the College’s eighth reunion, and the number of alumni attending has increased each year. In 2010, more than 600 alumni came to London to visit with friends and to celebrate their ties with King’s. The Principal’s Lunch, featuring the annual alumni awards, will be a highlight on Saturday. Other events scheduled for the weekend include: • A special King’s guided tour of the National Gallery • A presentation by Professor Michael Bremmer about the phenomenon known as synaesthesia,
Trustees of the British Museum.
jim winslett
Community
Enjoy a tour of the British Museum’s Byzantine collection during Alumni Weekend
or confusion of the senses
• An exclusive tour of the British
Museum’s Byzantine collection led by Dr Dionysios Stathakopoulos, Professor of Classics • An inside look at the Foyle Special Collections Library’s King James Bible exhibition in the Maughan Library • A KCL Jazz Society concert in
Guy’s Garden, followed by a drinks reception • A guided walking tour of the Olympic Park. To learn about Alumni Weekend 2011, visit www.alumni.kcl.ac.uk/ alumniweekend or contact the King’s Alumni & Community Office at alumoff@kcl.ac.uk.
Entering the Lion’s Den
Rewards for reunions! This year’s Alumni Weekend provides the perfect opportunity to reconnect with your classmates and revisit your alma mater, and the Alumni Lunch, which takes place on Saturday during this special weekend, presents the ideal setting to celebrate your reunion. The Principal, Professor Sir Richard Trainor, will host the lunch and especially recognise alumni who are attending a reunion. There will also be a presentation of our Alumni Awards, where we will acknowledge alumni excellence in support of the College community. It was wonderful to see so many alumni celebrating reunions last year. We look forward to seeing many more this June. To help you to celebrate your special occasion, the Alumni and Community Relations Office is offering you several exciting benefits:
Contacting Your Classmates
1
To save you time and expenditure, we will invite your classmates to your reunion on your behalf. You simply need to inform us of the groups of alumni you would like to invite, for example all law graduates of 1961, and we can do all the rest!
Reunion Reception
2
Alumni attending a reunion will be invited to a complimentary drinks reception before the Alumni Lunch on Saturday with their guests.
Free Photo to Remember the Day
3 4
Reunion alumni will receive a special commemorative photograph taken at your reunion.
A Special Gift from the College
Alumni who are celebrating a 25th or 50th anniversary reunion will receive a special gift to mark this milestone. To organise a reunion during Alumni Weekend, or at another time, please email reunions@kcl.ac.uk or contact Amy Webb on +44 (0)20 7848 2609.
The Alumni & Community Office can invite your classmates on your behalf
Organised by King’s Business in conjunction with King’s Graduate School, the Lion’s Den is a business plan competition open to any King’s student registered in a master’s, PhD or post-doctoral research programme. With total prize money and funding of £10,000, entrants have access to a series of enterprise seminars, workshops and events with input from alumni entrepreneurs to acquire vital skills such as networking, idea-generating techniques and market research. Alumni have contributed invaluable support to the Lion’s Den by volunteering to mentor students through the process and advising them on how to transform their ideas into actual businesses. Alumnus Mike Leyland (Chemistry, 1970) says he volunteers to be a mentor because of his wish to help new graduates. Although Leyland has been able to help his teams identify excellent business opportunities, he emphasises that ‘to survive in the real world you also need hard work, a focus on cash and the ability to convince others of your ideas and management skills. Many of these skills can be developed through careful tutoring and the Lion’s Den is an essential experience for all young graduates.’ This year Leyland successfully mentored Patapia Tzotzoli, who says, ‘The Lion’s Den has been the best experience for me on a professional as well as personal level. It has challenged me in a way that I have not been tested before, helping me to achieve a clear view of my capabilities as well as what I want my future to entail.’ The Lion’s Den has notched many successes. Luke Blaxill and Shuzhi Zhou won £4,000 to develop their business, GradFunding, to help students fund postgraduate studies. GradFunding has diversified by moving into digital media and doubled its customer base. It now supplies over 50 UK universities and has sold over 100,000 licences for its products. To learn more, please contact Amy Webb at amy.1.webb@kcl.ac.uk. spring 2011 IN TOUCH
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King’s College Hospital Medics Class of ’65 Reunion
6-7 May 2011, Bath Events will include Friday and Saturday dinners and a Sunday lunchtime gathering. Contact Roger Stevens at rogerstevens198@btinternet. com for details. A Nightingale Sang
Friday 13 May 2011, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre Alumni are invited to attend A Nightingale Sang, a choral work by John Browne. All nurses, midwives and students can lend their voice. Visit www.kcl.ac.uk/nursing/about/ culturecare to learn more. Reunions during Alumni Weekend 2011 King’s German Class of ’61
Saturday 11 June at 12.30 Great Hall, King’s College London, Strand Campus. Join your former classmates for lunch. Contact alumoff@kcl.ac.uk for more details. Wellington Hall
Saturday 11 June at 12.30, Chapters, Strand Campus, Price tbc Contact alumoff@kcl.ac.uk for more details.
King’s Dentistry Class of ’01
Guy's Hospital Dentists Class of ’65 Reunion
Saturday 11 June at 12.30, Great Hall, Strand Campus Join your former classmates for lunch during Alumni Weekend. Contact alumoff@kcl.ac.uk for more details.
14-15 October 2011, Brickwall Hotel, near Hastings Did you qualify in December 1964 or January or July 1965? Join us for a special celebration which coincides with the celebration of the Battle of Hastings. Details from Chris Hone (KCSMD, 1965), hone660@btinernet.com or +44 (0)14 2477 2682.
National Theatre Live: The Cherry Orchard
Thursday 30 June 2011, Anatomy Theatre, Strand Campus Alumni are invited to a special live screening of the National Theatre’s production of Anton Chekhov’s The Cherry Orchard.
Royal Dental Hospital Alumni Association Luncheon Guy’s Dentistry Class of ’81 Reunion
King’s Medics and Dentists Class of ’92 Reunion
Saturday 2 July 2011 at 19.00, London location tbc For information, contact James Goolnik (KCSMD, Dentistry, 1992), james@ bowlanedental.com. Guy’s Hospital Medical School, Class of ’61 Reunion
9-10 September 2011, Henriette Raphael Function Room Lunch on Friday and private Thames boat trip on Saturday. Contact Malcolm Forsythe, malcolm.trish@tiscali.co.uk for details.
Saturday 24 September 2011, Alexander House Hotel, +44 (0)13 4271 4914 £80 per head includes pre-dinner drinks, three-course meal, wine and disco. Preferential room rates have been reserved. Book directly with the hotel quoting ‘Guy’s reunion’. Email lindsaywinchester@googlemail.com for details. St Thomas’ Medics Class of ’81 Reunion
Saturday 8 October at 19.00, Governor’s Hall, St Thomas’ Hospital Join your former classmates for dinner. Contact Neil Vass for more information, n.vass@nhs.net or +44 (0)20 7622 1424.
Wellington Hall remembered Generally considered to be up there with Halliday Hall as the pick of King’s student accommodation, Wellington Hall had an enviably central location on tree-lined Vincent Square, at the smart end of Pimlico behind Westminster Cathedral. Its foundation stone was laid in 1913, although the gothic design by Edwardian architect AC Martin made it look older. For nearly 70 years, successive Deans of King’s College lived in the hall with theology students training for the Church of England ministry. But after a major refurbishment that was completed in 1983 it became available to all. What really made it special, says James Hamilton, who joined as Hall Manager in 1982, becoming Hall Manager/Warden from 1984 until he retired in 2002, was its sense of community. Staff and students alike loved living there: the Strand was a short walk away and the lounges, library and bar were all 30
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comfortable and atmospheric. Each of the rooms was unique, some overlooking the village green-like square, with its cricket pitch and tennis courts. Alas, it all came to an end in 2003, when the hall was sold. It is now run as a student hostel by the hotel next door, and looks very sad compared to when it was a part of King’s, says Hamilton. But plans are afoot to recapture the old magic with a reunion for Wellington Hall alumni, to be held in the Strand on 11 June. Details are still being finalized; to learn more contact Amy Webb at amy.1.webb@kcl.ac.uk. We are planning to write about a hall of residence in each issue of InTouch, and Alumni Online will be hosting gallery pages dedicated to your photos and memories of your halls of residence. Nominate your favourite hall by writing and sending in photos. We will feature responses in the next InTouch. Send your suggestions to alumnionline@kcl.ac.uk .
The oak-panelled dining hall
Saturday 15 October 2011, 12.15 for 13.00, Royal Hampshire Hotel, Leicester Square Invitations will be sent out in August, For more information, please contact Peter Frost (RDH, Dentistry, 1969), pfdrymouth@googlemail.com. Guy’s Class of ’76 Reunion
Guy’s graduate of 1976 hoping to organise a 35-year reunion in 2011. Contact alumoff@kcl.ac.uk if you are interested. Interested in organising a reunion? Contact amy.1.webb@kcl.ac.uk for help.
jim winslett
Events
Want to get involved? Contact alumoff@kcl.ac.uk or call +44 (0)20 7848 3053
Sophie and Doyin Ogunbiyi met and fell in love at King’s in 2002 whilst still freshers. Here is the story in their own words. Sophie: ‘I spotted him at the freshers’
fair. We were both looking at which sports we could do. As soon as I saw him I knew he was very special.’ Doyin: ‘It sounds a bit corny, but our eyes met across the room and there was a definite spark. We saw each other again. I think it was on the concourse outside the Great Hall. We passed each other then both looked over our shoulders at the same time and exchanged admiring glances. To be honest, I just remember our eyes meeting. It may not even have been outside the Great Hall. But that is how I prefer to remember it. It feels more romantic somehow.’ Sophie: ‘Fortunately, we were on the same induction at the gym the next day.’ Doyin: ‘I wasn’t even supposed to be on the induction that day, but fate and a number of other circumstances saw to it that I was.’ Sophie: ‘We went for our first date the following day at The Cornerstone bar in Covent Garden. It felt so right so we got together straight away.’ Doyin: ‘I remember on our first date
Sophie and Doyin Ogunbiyi met at their freshers’ fair
Sophie apologised and said that she likes to talk a lot. I didn’t mind as I found her the most interesting person I had ever met and 10 years on I still do. I’m much taller than Sophie and as we walked across the bridge after our date we made a conscious effort to walk in step with each other as we held hands.’ Sophie: ‘For my course I spent a year in Paris and then went on to do my MA in Belgium. But we maintained our relationship throughout with lots of travelling back and forth. I think it was this time apart that proved how strong we are together.’ Doyin: ‘Getting married at King’s seemed the natural choice especially as since the day when we exchanged glances, the Great Hall feels so central to how we met and the formative days of our relationship.’ Sophie: ‘We were married on the 29th of August 2009 in the Chapel at King’s with photos in the grounds of Somerset House and our reception in the Great Hall. We couldn’t think of anything more fitting seeing as we had met at King’s. It was a really magical fairytale wedding.’ Did you and your partner meet at King’s? Contact us at intouch@kcl.ac.uk if you’d like to share your story.
greg funnell
We met at King’s
Once again, our inbox has been swelled with stories of King’s much-loved (and long-suffering) mascot. But we’re always eager for more, so please email us your tale at alumoff@kcl.ac.uk or visit www.alumni.kcl.ac.uk/reggiestory
Ge involvte Tell us d! favouryour Reggie ite tale
Regular readers of In Touch will be delighted to hear that Reggie, King’s legendary mascot, has a long-lost brother named Ronnie. Sarah Somers, Director of Operations at King’s Defence Studies Department at Shrivenham, shares Ronnie’s story: ‘Ronnie has been with us for nearly four years now. We’re not sure how old he is, or when he and Reggie got separated. But even though Ronnie is lacking a body, the resemblance between them is so strong we knew they had to be brothers. ‘Our Chief of Staff at the time, Captain Fred Price, was a King’s alumnus and a bit of a silver aficionado. Naturally, having studied at King’s, he knew that Reggie had a special place in the history of the College so when he came across Ronnie, it seemed like the perfect way to mark the partnership between King’s and the Joint Services Command and Staff College (JSCSC). ‘Ronnie lives in some style in the Officers’ Mess here at Shrivenham, where he’s lovingly tended by the
Ronnie: just as fearless
College Silverman Malcolm Barrett, who also gives Reggie his annual clean. He’s got a specially commissioned wooden stand engraved with his name, the coats of arms of the JSCSC and King’s and the legend “Presented in
2007 by the Officers’ Mess to commemorate the partnership between King’s College London and the Joint Services Command and Staff College”. ‘His main duty is to adorn the table on special occasions such as formal dinners and receptions, a task which he carries out with aplomb. Of course, he could never replace Reggie, but he joins him on stage each year at our MA graduation ceremonies, lending his support. ‘He also comes out to welcome our friends and colleagues from King’s whenever they visit the campus – a bit like flying the flag when guests from King’s are in residence! The JSCSC has its own insignia, the cormorant, but as a symbol of what has proved to be a very successful collaboration, Ronnie has a special place in all our hearts.’ Can you shed any light on Ronnie’s past? Have you come across any other members of his family? Email alumoff@kcl.ac.uk with your stories.
spring 2011 IN TOUCH
naresh verlander
The Incredible Adventures of Reggie
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Alumni groups To find out what is happening in each region, please contact the alumni below UK alumni subject groups AKC Alumni Group Peter King (Law, 1970) kingpd@hotmail.com Bar Society Bahar Ala-Eddini (Law, 2007) alumni@kclbarsociety.co.uk www.kclbarsociety.co.uk King’s College Construction Law Association (KCCLA) Joe Bellhouse (Construction Law, 1996) jbellhouse@wedlakebell.com www.kccla.org.uk Dental Alumni Association Nigel Fisher (Guy’s, Dentistry, 1975) nigellfisher@blueyonder.co.uk King’s College London Engineering Association (KCLEA) Graham Raven (Civil Engineering, 1963) g.raven@sky.com Currently expanding alumni activities. Please see website for further details. The Joint School Society Jo Crocker (Geography, 1956) alumoff@kcl.ac.uk Law Alumni Group Robin Healey (Law, 1968) robin.healey@blueyonder.co.uk Theology & Religious Studies The Revd Giles Legood (Theology & Religious Studies, 1988) giles.legood@hotmail.co.uk
Other UK groups Student and Alumni Boat Club Current Student & Social Secretary Rachel Fellows enquiries@theboatclub.org.uk Former Staff Dr Barrie Morgan (Former member of the Geography Department) alumoff@kcl.ac.uk King’s Alumni Theatre Society (KATS) Konstantinos (Kos) Mantzakos (German & Modern Greek, 2001) kosmantzakos@hotmail.com www.kats.swiit.net Queen Elizabeth College Association Dr Sally Henderson (QEC, Biochemistry PhD, 1980) sally@themillhouse.eclipse.co. uk www.qeca.org.uk Southampton & Hampshire regional group Tope Omitola (Mathematics, 1994) tope.omitola@soton.ac.uk
International groups 01. Bangladesh Malik Bari (Business Management, 2005) malik.bari@gmail.com 02. Belgium Fabian Kaisen (Economics for Competition Law, 2009) fabian.kaisen@freshfields.com 03. Canada Charles R. Maier (History, 1971) (President) charles@maier.ca 04. China Scott Willis (War Studies, 1996) scottzbj@gmail.com Jeremy Xiao (Law, 1990) jeremy.xiao@credit-suisse.com 05. Croatia Marijan Baric (Mediterranean Studies, 2010) marijanb13@yahoo.com 06. Denmark Christina Type Jardorf christina.type.jardorf@accura.dk 07. Egypt Professor Ibrahim El-Hakim (Dentistry, 1990) imelhakim@hotmail.com 08. Grand Cayman Christina Rowlandson (Biomedical Science, 1999) christina.rowlandson@gov.ky 09. France Charlotte Butruille (Law, 1995) butruille-cardew@hohl-avocats.com Jean-Luc Larribau (English and French Law, 2004) jean-luc.larribau@freshfields.com
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10. Ghana David Larbie (European Community Law, 2000) davidlarbie@yahoo.co.uk 11. Bonn Juergen Waldhaus (Theology & Religious Education, 1987) juergen.waldhaus@zivit.de 12. Munich Henry Selby-Lowndes (Physics, 1999) henry.selby-lowndes@kclalumni.net 13. Berlin Marc Jarzebowski (Theology, 1995) jarzebowski@taxodium.eu 14. Greece Paris Vallides (1987) (President) kclagr@gmail.com 15. Hong Kong Chin Yu Liu (Engineering, 1983) (Chairman) cy93273272@yahoo.com.hk 16. Indonesia Gerald Ariff (Electronic Engineering, 1997) gwariff@gmail.com 17. Delhi Sonal Singh (Law, 2007) sonal.kr.singh@gmail.com 18. Mumbai Vineet Dujodwala (Chemistry & Management, 1996) resins@dpcl.net 19. Iran Abdolreza Norouzy (Academic Pedagogic Practice, 2005) Norouzy@gmail.com 20. Italy Maria Chiara Russo (Environmental Sciences, 1979) kingscollege.milan@gmail.com 21. Japan Eiichi Kawata (Law, 1981) ekawata@typhoon.co.jp 22. Kenya David M. Ndetei (Friend of IoP) dmndetei@uonbi.ac.ke 23. Kuwait Michael Dalton (Civil Engineering, 1975) mdalton10@gmail.com 24. Lebanon and Syria Raif N Shwayri (Mechanical Engineering, 1991) raif@al-kafaat.org 25. Malaysia Philip Koh Tong Ngee (Law, 1980) kclamb.2007@gmail.com 26. Netherlands Huib Berendschot (European Community Competition Law, 2000) hberendschot@akd.nl 27. Nigeria SO Ajose (Electronics, 1974) mide.ajose@lasunigeria.org 28. Pakistan Arshad Tayebaly (Law, 1990) changi@cyber.net.pk 29. Portugal Ana Sofia Batista (Law, 2002) anasofia.batista@abreuadvogados.com 30. Qatar Raghavan Gopakumar (Construction Law & Arbitration, 2007) rngopakumar@rasgas.com.qa 31. Saudi Arabia Haytham Tayeb (Orthodontics, 2006) drhtayeb@gmail.com 32. Singapore Stephen Lee (Aquatic Resource Management, 1972) unimkt@singnet.comsg 33. Spain Bruno Gonzalez-Vellon (Electronic Engineering, 2003) brunogonzalezvellon@hotmail.com 34. Switzerland Patrick Bade (European History, Politics & Society, 2007) info@patrickbade.com 35. Boston Andy Jones (Chemistry, 1987) andy.jones2138@gmail.com 36. Chicago Mark Atkinson (Theology, 1989) m.atkinson1@gmail.com 37. New York Renee Hoehn (International Peace and Security, 2003) renee_hoehn@yahoo.com and Neal Profitt (English, 2001) snprofitt@kclalumni.net 38. Pacific Northwest Shabbir Bashar shabbir_bashar@yahoo.com 39. Southern California Deborah Garvin dkgarvin@cox.net 40. Washington DC Angela Crowdy acrowdy@oas.org 41. Southern Tri-state Liz Manugian emanugian@mac.com 42. Philadelphia Lauren Remick Martone lrm196@gmail.com 43. San Francisco Peter Otridge (Mechanical Engineering, 1988) peter@otridge.com
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Washington DC Angela Crowdy King’s has a wonderful international quality about it, with a vibrant mix of students from around the globe. My particular three-year course involved a term at Cordoba University in Spain as well as Lisbon University, of which I have the fondest memories. It was King’s that opened my imagination to surrealism, prompting me to pen verses, write for the departmental magazine, resuscitate an acting streak and add publishing my own anthology to my list of things to do in life. King’s was, without doubt, the catalyst in my career in international relations. I am eternally indebted to
Professor David Hook in the Spanish Department for his constant guidance and support. With a solid foundation in literature, philosophy, art, history and many other areas of study, I have held positions in Latin American embassies in London, worked as a political analyst in Central America and am now heading a programme in one of the international organisations in Washington DC that evaluates drug control policies in the American Hemisphere. Number of alumni in the USA: 6,028. Recent event in Washington DC: Duel Day Dinner, March 2011
More details on the Alumni groups can be found on our website or by calling the Alumni & Community Office
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31 30
25
10
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27 22
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Greece Dimitris Lemonakis I truly enjoyed the King’s experience; it was both fulfilling in terms of study and also unique in making new and long-standing friends. The MA in Mediterranean Studies programme and our course tutors provided an innovative approach towards understanding past events and reaching out to contemporary issues. It is difficult to isolate one of many good memories; however, one of the most important aspects of my student life was the family-type environment we enjoyed amongst fellow residents at Stamford Street Apartments. Since our residence was self-catered we took care of each other and often dined in the company of flatmates and visitors, combining different
cuisines and good company. I had always wanted to maintain a bond with the College, since my departure from King’s. I recall writing letters and sending emails to King’s following my graduation, recommending the launch of a Greek alumni group. I was confident that many alumni shared this vision and aspiration and also that a structured presence in Greece would benefit King’s. I am truly happy to be part of the Greek branch, formally operating for the past two years, as it has already demonstrated a capability to act as a good agent for the benefit of the College and alumni. Number of alumni in Greece: 1,906 Recent event: Pita Cutting, January 2011
Be an ambassador for King’s Do you live in Australia, Ireland, Cyprus or another country missing from the list on the left? Would you like to be a country contact for King’s, or be part of a local alumni branch?
Our network of contacts and branches around the world forms a vital part of the alumni community, providing a warm welcome to prospective students, recent graduates and new arrivals in the country. They also organise events ranging from informal gatherings to black-tie dinners, excursions and lectures – great opportunities for socialising and business networking. If you would like to be an ambassador for King’s, we’d love to hear from you. Please send an email to alumoff@kcl.ac.uk for more information.
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Alumni groups Andy Parrish (Chemistry, 1966) One of the bonuses of being KCLA Chairman is the opportunity to meet so many of our members in a huge variety of circumstances and locations. A quarter of our alumni live and work outside of the UK. This far-reaching and growing diaspora is one of King’s great strengths, though it poses substantial organisational challenges both for KCLA and the College. I have travelled to Africa twice in recent months and took the opportunity on both occasions to greet local King’s alumni. In Tanzania, in December, I spent a fascinating evening with Dr Herman Lupogu (War Studies, 1985), a retired Major-General who, after his postgraduate studies, became President
Tan Sri Ong honoured for his support of King’s The Principal, Professor Sir Richard Trainor, awarded the Fellowship of King’s College to Emeritus Professor Tan Sri Augustine Ong during his February visit to Kuala Lumpur. Professor Ong is a King’s alumnus, who gained his PhD in Organic Chemistry in 1964. He was honoured for establishing and supporting the alumni group in Malaysia. Professor Ong has been active in scientific research and development for more than 50 years, both in academia
and in the private sector. He has carried out ground-breaking research on the chemistry of free radicals and he is a world-leading expert in the chemistry and technology of palm oil. The award was made during a special ceremony at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, attended by nearly 100 alumni, friends and VIP guests, including Professor Ong’s wife, Lily, and daughter, Christine. After the Fellowship was conferred, Professor Ong spoke to the audience about his
‘moment in time’ at King’s and its positive impact on his life. The Fellowship of King’s College was established in 1847. Professor Ong joins an illustrious list of FKC recipients, including Nobel Prize-winner Archbishop Desmond Tutu, film director Lord Attenborough and writers Mario Vargas Llosa, Sir Arthur C Clarke and Michael Morpurgo. For more information about the Fellowship of King’s College visit www.kcl.ac.uk/about/history/fellows. lim hock seng
The KCLA Chairman
Archbishop Tutu in January
of the Aids Prevention Commission of Tanzania. In January, in Cape Town, I held a most enjoyable and informal garden reception for 13 alumni from the city, each of whom had graduated in a different subject. They ranged from Julia Landau (English, 1984), a noted poet and writer on women’s issues, to Reg Grant (Engineering, 1949), who has recently published books on spiritualism. Wherever one meets fellow alumni, they are almost invariably interesting, active and committed people, who have retained a deep and abiding affection for King’s. That morning (at 7.15!), I had a private meeting at Cape Town Cathedral with Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu (Theology, 1965; MTh, 1966), our Patron. In bubbly good spirits, he passed his warmest good wishes to all our members. ‘King’s has done so much for us here in South Africa,’ he told me. ‘We all owe King’s a huge amount, which we must never forget.’ It is a potent message. 34
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Emeritus Professor Tan Sri Augustine Ong and the Principal, Professor Sir Richard Trainor
King’s College London Association KCLA is the alumni association for all former students and staff of King’s and the colleges with which it has merged as well as friends of the College. All alumni are welcome to participate in the KCLA’s work by attending meetings and voting in its elections. KCLA will hold its next Annual General Meeting and elections on Friday 4 November 2011.
Patron Archbishop Desmond Tutu FKC (Theology, 1965) President Professor The Lord McColl of Dulwich CBE FKC (Guy’s, Medicine, 1957) Past President Dame Jinty Nelson FKC (Emeritus Professor of Medieval History) Chairman Andrew Parrish (Chemistry, 1966) Past Chairman Steven Rhodes (Theology & Religious Studies, 1988) Secretary Valerie Beynon (Geography, 1961) Treasurer Nicholas Goulding (Physics, 1968) Events Officer Alison Taylor (Human Environmental Science, 1990)
Elected members
Peter Ellender (Law, 2007) Robin Healey (Law, 1968) Jason Jun (Business Management, 2005) Waheed Aslam Khan (Management, IT, Law, Computing, 2010) Dr Andrew Papanikitas (Medical Ethics & Law, 2002) Professor Patricia Reynolds (Dentistry, 2007) Matt Ricketts (War Studies, 2010) Alex Siddell (War Studies & History, 2001)
For the latest information about all of our alumni groups go to www.alumni.kcl.ac.uk
Alumni volunteers in Delhi give new students a boost Four dozen prospective students in India recently had the opportunity to learn about King’s from a group who know about the College intimately – King’s alumni. At a Delhi gathering in early February, the prospective students – ranging from those with offer letters to those about to submit their applications to King’s – heard from 22 alumni who graduated in the last 31 years. Vice-Principal Professor Keith Hoggart welcomed guests, gave an overview of King’s and summarised recent news from the College, including the renovation of Somerset House and the launch of World questions|King’s answers. Delhi Alumni Group Secretary Sonal Singh, provided sage words of advice to prospective students, whilst also introducing the alumni group and its activities. Alumni were most helpful in offering insight to students, talking about their time at
the College, discussing life in London and answering specific questions on particular courses. The prospective students also learned about the challenges and benefits of attending university in another country, as alumni shared their memories and insights from when they travelled from India to London. With a growing number of students from India coming to King’s – a total of 281 undergraduates and postgraduates this year – these events will continue to be important to both the College and to students. King’s looks forward to hosting more events in the future and inviting alumni to help make new students feel as excited and assured as possible. If you are interested in meeting with students to give them a boost before they join King’s, please contact Alumni Volunteer Coordinator Amy Webb at amy.1.webb@kcl.ac.uk.
Alumni benefits and services
If you studied at King’s, or at one of the Colleges we have merged with, you are automatically a member of the King’s College London Association (KCLA). Please visit www.alumni.kcl.ac.uk or call +44 (0)20 7848 3053 for more details. In Touch magazine
Ethical Leadership, two of the short professional courses now offered to alumni. Alumni will also receive special discounted rates for all courses. For more details please visit www.kcl. ac.uk/business/commercial/cpd/ or contact Dr Cordula Janowski on +44 (0)20 7848 6814.
Mailed twice a year to all alumni. If you or somebody you know would like to receive In Touch, please contact us.
Get fit at King’s
Return to King’s for summer school
E-newsletter
Stay at King’s
Register to receive all the latest news, benefits and info about events.
King’s Summer School is a great option for alumni looking for a brief return to university life. The College’s Summer School has grown dramatically in recent years. In 2010 students from more than 40 countries and 200 universities from around the globe spent a portion of their summer at King’s, joining a number of returning alumni. The 2011 Summer School takes
Alumni Online
The stopover service can help you to find accommodation at one of our halls of residence during the summer vacation.
place from 4 July to 12 August and is set to be even bigger this year, with 55 courses that span the arts, business, culture, education, history, language, law and politics. Further information is available at www.kcl.ac.uk/summerschool, and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ KingsSummer. Don’t forget that alumni receive a 10 per cent discount on tuition fees.
Another way of staying in touch with your College friends. It’s free and you can update your personal details and network professionally. Alumni email
Join Alumni Online to register for your alumni email address. King’s Connections
A careers advice directory which lists alumni willing to give their advice to other alumni and students.
andy lane
Use the library
The College’s Information Service Centre and libraries are available to all alumni. Reading in the libraries is free, and you can borrow books and materials for £60 annually. You can use all libraries, with the exception of the Institute of Psychiatry library. Download a joining form from our website. Learn a language
The Modern Language Centre Evening Programme offers a wide range of languages at all levels, including specialised courses. King’s alumni are eligible for a 30 per cent discount. Courses start in October, January and April. Email: modern.language@kcl.ac.uk Short courses: King’s Professional and Executive Development
International Business Negotiation and Be a student again, at least for a few weeks
Special discounted rates are available at the KCLSU Kinetic gym. Call +44 (0)20 7633 2188 for more details.
King’s College London Credit Card
Our only official credit card, the King’s College London Credit Card has been carefully designed to provide great value, while supporting King’s. To apply please call 0800 028 2440, quoting King’s College London Credit Card. Special offers
The Alumni & Community Office is pleased to present a range of exclusive discounts and offers for our alumni. Details of over 30 current offers are available online. Alton Towers up to 40 per cent Call 0871 222 4001, quote REWARDS Blackwell 5 per cent www.blackwell.co.uk/kingscollege Cottages 4 you 10 per cent Call 0845 268 1414, quote KCL10 Sealife Centres up to 55 per cent Call 0871 222 4001, quote REWARDS Virgin Experiences Visit 15 per cent alumnwww. Call 0845 330 5115 ac.uk if.kcl. and quote ‘Alumni’ or more i or Alumni Online. nfo
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Class notes While we make every effort to verify the information here, which is selected and edited for space, we cannot guarantee its accuracy. If you have concerns over any content, please contact the Alumni Office. And remember, you can also update your personal records at Alumni Online. Visit www.alumni.kcl.ac.uk
Chelsea College Lewis Davies
Pharmacy, 1956 Spend my time between Brentwood opera houses and Dolgellau. Sainudeen Nazeer
Biology, 1981 I would like to know about my classmates’ whereabouts, especially John Hoare. Suzanne Lewis (now Cayless)
Biology, 1983 Happily living in a picturesque Devon village, tending my allotment.
Africa by public transport Ian Packham
Not many of us would choose to spend a year sitting on public transport; however, this is precisely what King’s alumnus Ian Packham (Biomedical Science, 2005) is planning to do in the name of research. Packham is circumnavigating Africa alone and using only the public transport available to local populations. His project seeks to promote a wider understanding of coastal Africa, particularly among the general UK population. Ian is brushing up on his French, Arabic and Portuguese with weekly lessons to enable him to chat with fellow passengers as he feels these conversations will help him to gain a greater understanding of the everyday issues as these countries increasingly become a part of the developed world. Starting this September in Morocco, Packham will travel along the west coast, planning to reach South Africa in March and arrive back in Morocco by August. The original plan was to travel from London to Australia
applying the same principle. However, Packham says he ‘suddenly realised that Africa would be much more interesting and diverse in every way’. Packham would be delighted to hear from any alumni who may be living along the African coast. He can be contacted via his website www. encircleafrica.org, where you will also find all the details of his adventure.
Guy’s Howell Jones
Medicine, 1941 Retired general and prosthetic surgeon. Bill Jeanes
Medicine, 1943 Have lived in Ottawa, Canada for 53 years. I’m 92 years old but still quite active in medical affairs and international health programmes. Harold Dyer
Dentistry, 1948 In the same group as Professor J. Rowe and Professor Fenn, with Dr Pembury in charge. My dentistry ended in 1959 after poliomyelitis. Jack Fine
Medicine, 1948 Growing orchids for over 40 years, 36
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with mixed results. Interested in jazz and classical music. Robin Moffat
Medicine, 1954 Have just completed 50 years as a London police surgeon and two years as President of the Medico-Legal Society.
Medicine, 1963 Finally retired from radiology when I was appointed non-executive director on the Dorset County Hospital Foundation Trust Board on 1 November 2010. Brian Pound
Medicine, 1963 Now in family practice. Also associate professor at the University of Victoria School of Nursing. I use hypnotherapy in my practice and am Director of the Milton H. Erickson Institute of Psychotherapy of British Columbia. Timothy Laing
Dentistry, 1965 Retired March 2009. I now hope to go to Ghana to help teach nurses about dentistry. Joseph Kabuubi
Seeing Africa one bus at a time
Tony Finch-Thomas
Pharmacology/Pharmacy Retired from Boots in March 1991, and moved to western Wales the same year. Living an ideal rural life in the village of my ancestors.
Peter Camm
Biochemistry, 1966 I am retiring from the Army after 25 years’ service as a consultant physician. Hope to spend my retirement in London and Uganda.
Jacobus van den Berg
Dentistry, 1958 I am enjoying a happy retirement with Drina, my lovely wife. In 2010 I completed the Two Oceans halfmarathon in Cape Town and the BUPA Great North Run in Newcastleupon-Tyne. Dare quam accipere.
Peter Ashford
Medicine, 1968 Fully retired as a GP in Suffolk after 36 years in November 2009. Now an impoverished OAP, using my bus pass, running 10k races, sailing and yoga. Cycled the full length and breadth of the UK.
Simon Brook Kenneth Walker
Medicine, 1954 Retired from medicine at 80. Playing tennis twice a week or more. Living in British Columbia for a month each year.
Medicine, 1961 My year at Guy’s will celebrate our 50th anniversary of qualification in 2011.
Medicine, 1968 Retired from general practice but still doing work for my old practice. Fully involved in parochial village life.
Penny Hewitt
Dentistry, 1956 Getting older every day.
Medicine, 1961 Hoping to see as many classmates as possible for the 50-year reunion in 2011.
Brian Lux
David Turner
Dentistry, 1956 I ran the Royal Parks Half-Marathon (aged 78) on October 10 to raise funds for Combat Stress. Satisfying to know that loads of much younger runners came in behind me.
Medicine, 1962 Finally retired two years ago. Now managing a small estate in Devon and flying a Cessna 172, having gained my private pilot’s licence in 2005. Ran the Dublin marathon in October 2010. Want to do more reading and painting.
Michael Gillon
Richard Taylor
Trevor Druett
Dentistry, 1973 Retired after 36 years in general practice. Maggie and I now divide our time between Devon and the French Pyrenees. Barry Jones
Medicine, 1973 Retired from the NHS in March 2010. Climbed to 6,855 metres on the North Col of Mount Everest. Nine triathlons since I was 60 – there is life after 60!
You can view lots of fabulous old class photographs at www. alumni.kcl.ac.uk
Andrew Dawson
Medicine, 1976 Retired January 2011 from position as consultant obstetrician with special interest in maternal foetal medicine. Have been active with All-Wales/ RCOG committees in the last few years. Anthony Fincham
Medicine, 1976 Current chairman of The Thomas Hardy Society.
Institute of Psychiatry
member of the International Association of Cognitive Psychotherapy and a former president of the European Association of Cognitive Psychotherapy.
John Copeland
Psychiatry, 1966 Immediate past president of the World Federation for Mental Health, Chairman of the Great Push for Mental Health and co-developer of the Global Mental Health Assessment and Treatment Tool.
KCHSS Joan Anderson (now Ellison)
Household & Social Sciences, 1948 Busy with special activities for the bicentenary of Liszt’s birth 2011.
Mehmet Sungur Julia Browne (now Austin )
Dentistry, 1979 Working in general practice. I have four children and two grandchildren in Kent. Jonothan Earnshaw
Medicine, 1979 Appointed Director of the NHS Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening Programme in 2009. Gareth Parry
Medicine, 1981 I recently became medical director of a new equitable access centre, open for 84 hours a week. Amanda Sinclair (now Owen)
Medicine, 1982 Happily retired family physician. Having worked in the UK for five months a year, I did not want to have to tread the boards again as a junior houseman at 45! So I remain a ‘foreign’ doctor here. Andrew Pryce
Medicine, 1985 On 13 November 2010 we held a very successful 25-year reunion at the House of Commons, courtesy of Dr Ira Madan who is an occupational physician there. Ninety people attended, the food and venue were fantastic. The only complaint was that there wasn’t enough time to talk to everyone. Dr John Rees, who taught us all those years ago, gave an excellent speech about how things have changed for medical students since 1985. Another event is planned for 2015 (if not before!). To find out more, contact me on acwpryce@blueyonder.co.uk or 0151 722 6680.
Behavioural Cognitive Psychotherapy, 1987 I am now the President of the Turkish Association of Cognitive and Behaviour Therapy. Board
Ailsa McLellan (now Melton)
Household & Social Sciences, 1948 I regret very much the blemish on the name of the London colleges occasioned by the recent
disturbances. We had our own methods of protest without the violence.
KCSMD Jack Nickson
Medicine, 1953 Still working (part-time) at nearly 85. Valerie Shrubb
Medicine, 1975 Working in paediatrics continues to be fascinating, especially with the speed at which genetics is developing. Outside work, gardening and photography continue to fascinate.
Portrait honour for photographer Abbie Trayler-Smith
A former Roar photographer who has had photo assignments from Sudan to the Falklands, Abbie Trayler-Smith (Law, 1998) recently took fourth prize at the National Portrait Gallery’s prestigious Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize competition. The portrait ‘Untitled 2, 2010’ from her series of photographs ‘Childhood Obesity’ is of a young girl named Chelsea whom TraylerSmith met through a Sheffield-based support group helping children with obesity. Discussing the mood of the photograph she explains, ‘Whilst talking about how it feels to live with the prejudices that come with being overweight, I looked away to change the film in my camera. When I looked back the picture was suddenly there. I shot one frame.’ Trayler-Smith was photographer for Roar during her days at King’s, and she went on to work at the Daily Telegraph, Time, Oxfam, UNICEF and BBC Worldwide among others. She has had previous success with her project on asylum seekers in the UK, Still Human, Still Here, which was exhibited at HOST Gallery, London, in 2009 with an accompanying film which won both the Nikon Award 2009 and the PPY Best Multimedia Piece. You can view several of her photographs at www.abbietraylersmith.com.
Abbie Trayler-Smith
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Class notes King’s College London Audrey Dodds (now Chadwick)
English, 1942 As one who spent many a Saturday afternoon and Wednesday afternoon rowing (and often coaching and coxing) at Salford, near Bristol, during the War years, I hope King’s once again has a flourishing KCLWBC. Lewis Shaw
Mechanical Engineering, 1942 Just celebrated our 55th wedding anniversary and now looking forward to my 90th birthday in May. Margaret Stokes (now Morgan)
Geography, 1947 I have just completed my 23rd year as a steward at Nostell Priory (National Trust). Stephen Davis
Theology, 1948 Published a book, The Square is Broken, mainly about my five years as a PoW in Poland. Robert Knecht
History, 1948 Despite my age, I remain very active. Two conferences this year, one in Venice (my eleventh visit!) and another in Romorantin, France, plus much travel – Spain, Germany and Canada (to see grizzly bears at Knight Inlet, British Columbia).
1951 friends, Derek Barbanell and Maurice Kerby, saw the piece and are in regular contact. Hopefully Mary Proctor Jenkin, 80, who recently retired to New Zealand, will see this note and get in touch. Alan Melbourne
Physics, 1952 Although of athletic disposition (despite my age!) I have had a bad reaction to this year’s flu vaccine, which included swine flu and lasted four or five weeks. How many others were affected? John Neale
Theology, 1955 Have just formed a new tree organisation, Wiltshire Tree People, of which I am the first chairman. John Crone
German & French, 1956 Employed in industry at Goover in the UK and Holland, GEC Peterborough and Smiths Industries from 1971-94 in the UK and South Africa. Would like to contact 1952 to 1956 members of the German Department. David Saunders
Zoology, 1956 Did a PhD in Medical Entomology at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, then worked at the University of Edinburgh from 1958-1999.
Robin Ackerley
Raymond Hume
English, 1963 Recently met old friends Robert Charleston (English 1959-62) and Mick Hursthouse (Chemistry 1959-62) and received a letter from Roger Moore (History 1959-62). All of us were at PLATS from 1959 to 1961/2.
Physiology, 1967 Rabbeth Scholar, King’s College (1966-7); MBBS St George’s Medical School (1970).
Clive John Simons
Chemistry & Physics, 1963 Recently completed my latest book, Jewish Religious Observance by the Jews of Kaifeng China, available online at http://chaimsimons.net/ Kaifeng.pdf Graham Whitfield
Chemistry, 1963 After King’s, I attended Queen Mary College, and was awarded a PhD in Organic Chemistry. I emigrated to the USA in 1969, and later attended medical school, graduating with an MD in 1976. Bob Ratcliffe
Engineering, 1965 Still kicking! Expanding responsibilities, applying engineering training to business situations. Thank goodness there’s no mandatory retirement age in the US. James Hargreave
Peter Hargreaves
Geography, 1951 Thank you for printing my letter to class notes in your autumn issue. Two of my 38
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John Bowthorpe
Medicine, 1969 Coasting to retirement from GP locum work in Cornwall! Regards to those who may remember me. Barry Gough FKC
History, 1969 Seaforth Publishing has just released my book about the intersecting careers of American professor Arthur Marder and Captain Stephen Roskill, two famed historians of the Royal Navy in the 20th century. In researching the book I used correspondence files from King’s Liddell Hart Centre for Military Archives. The book is entitled Historical Dreadnoughts: Arthur Marder, Stephen Roskill and Battles for Naval History. Geoffrey Hales
English, 1970 Still running the Travelling Theatre. At present performing a play about Brunel. Any engineers interested?
English, 1957 Retired after a stroke. Elizabeth Wright (now Holgate)
Michael Rowley
Geography & Geology, 1959 It is good keeping in touch with quite a few of my year from the Geography Department. Peter and I have enjoyed our annual cycling holiday, this time in the Vendée, which is comfortably flat.
Law, 1966 After 23 years, I retired from the Crown Prosecution Service in July 2010.
Civil Engineering, 1970 After three years in South Africa, joined Cambridge Water where I’ve been for 35 years, 10 as managing director. Still obsessed with cricket and am Cambridgeshire’s representative at the England & Wales Cricket Board.
Bernard Brown
Guy Moody
Physics, 1967 Regularly get together with several ex-Judo Club members and have great memories of post-practice sessions in King’s bar. Moved to Canada in 1987 to work on Canadian military sonars. Continuing with government contracts and now spend some time on basic physics (as a hobby), looking at alternatives to the Standard Model, plus EPR and Bell.
Zoology, 1970 After 34 years in the pharmaceutical industry I am retiring to devote more time to my hobbies.
Alan Mowles
Raymond Isherwood
Chemistry, 1950 Still alive – just! Are there any other alumni in Lincolnshire?
French, 1967 Currently (unpaid) media relations for the National Piers Society (www.piers. org.uk). Very busy when Hastings Pier caught fire in October 2010!
Classics, 1966 In retirement I am reactivating my interest in the classics by becoming a tutor for the Swanland U3A Latin group. It’s a joy to teach such an enthusiastic class!
Francis de Marneffe
Medicine, 1950 My new book McLean Hospital – A Personal Memoir was published in December 2010. It covers my 58 years on the hospital’s staff, including 25 years as its director.
Anthony Wills
Ann Whitfield (now Everitt) and Hayden Everitt
English, 1960 Enjoying retirement and reasonable health in the West Country. Ann plays the organ in a local church. We both travel regularly, especially to Australia. We’re in touch with several alumni from our year.
Stephen Kay
Diana Tajzler
English, 1971 I have retired after 31 years teaching French and Spanish. I now spend my time going for walks with the dog,
And remember you can register at www.alumni.kcl.ac.uk to update your personal details
His travels suit him to a tea Timothy d’Offay
picture credit
Timothy d’Offay (Theology & Religious Studies, 1992) has turned his passion for tea into a unique and successful business. He has spent the past 15 years ‘tea-travelling’ throughout India and Asia and has been importing fine teas for more than a decade. d’Offay’s curiosity about cultural differences, often evidenced in tea ceremonies he attended in travels through Japan, Taiwan, Korea and Hong Kong, sparked an interest in tea culture. From this he has built a strong relationship with tea farmers throughout these regions. d’Offay works with estates ranging in size from
four to 100 acres, some with tea trees that are more than a century old. ‘We are the only company I know of who actually name the person who grew the tea and exactly where it was grown on the caddy or packet, even with our blends,’ he says. d’Offay’s enthusiasm has paid off, with his business growing from a unit in Borough Market to a specialist shop just off New Bond Street where he offers regular tea-tastings and can boast a high-profile clientele that includes Bianca Jagger and Nigel Slater. And which is d’Offay’s favourite tea? ‘Always the one that’s just come in.’ You can learn more about d’Offay’s business at www.postcardteas.com.
reading, going out with friends, going to the theatre and cinema and volunteering. Christopher Faulkner
History, 1973 Retired as general counsel at Yorkshire Building Society in September 2010.
Ivor Moody
Divinity, 1980 After nearly 14 years as Chaplain of Anglia Ruskin University (Chelmsford Campus) I was appointed as Vice Dean and Canon Pastor of Chelmsford Cathedral in April 2010.
Robin Vickery
Theology, 1973 Just had my first book, a thriller entitled Nor Will You Escape, published by Clapham Press under the penname Sebastian Vaughan.
Marianne Evans (now Overton)
Zoology, 1980 I am organising expeditions to a wilderness area in Malawi – anyone want to join in? www.biosearch.org.uk
Robert Rodwell
Timothy Sullivan
Mechanical Engineering,1974 Started my new job as Head of Marketing at Centrica in December 2010.
French, 1980 After 10 years at HSBC Global Asset Management, I left in August 2010. My daughter Loulou got married in late July.
Michael Steeden
Richard Barratt
Physics, 1975 President of the Royal Aeronautical Society 2009-10. Became a grandfather in December 2010.
Law, 1981 Spent 25 years in the City as a solicitor. Formed my own law firm two years ago and have recently moved out of London. Have made contact with Chris Welch (Chemistry, 1981) but would love to hear from other King’s friends.
M. Ball
Romance Languages and Literature, 1976 Retired from teaching at GHUL 15 years ago. Very involved in music: piano and chamber ensemble. Richard Davis
Electrical Engineering, 1977 My father Dr Leslie R. Davis MD, AKC died on 5 November 2010. He studied medicine at King’s in the late 1940s and was senior lecturer in the medical school until his retirement around 1986. Eric Emms
Biochemistry, 1977 Concentrating on precious stone training and consultancy work in the Hatton Garden area. Simon Godfrey
Timothy d’Offay explores the world through tea
countless visitors, choirs and veterans.
Theology & Religious Studies, 1980 In June 2009 I was installed as Chancellor of the Anglican cathedral in Malta. This fine neo-Classical building dominates the Valletta skyline and has very important military connections. Serving the 5,000 British ex-pats who live on the islands we receive
Deborah Guneratne
Geology, 1982 I am now an international storyteller and trainer for community, corporate and educational sectors. Sarah Hick (now Newton)
History, 1982 Elected in May 2010 as Conservative MP for Truro and Falmouth. Graham Rich
Basic Medical Sciences, 1982 We enjoyed a great 25-year reunion in Bristol. Liam Brennan
Medicine, 1983 I am a consultant paediatric anaesthetist in Cambridge. Recently elected to the Council of the Royal College of Anaesthetists. I am also chair of the FRCA Board of Examiners. Howard Body
History, 1984 Principal analyst in the MoD Defence spring 2011 IN TOUCH
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Class notes Policy Analysis Group. Working on stabilisation and counterinsurgency policy, doctrine and modelling. Penelope Ford (now Doué)
French, 1984 Born at King’s, educated at King’s, now I find myself working for SLAM, one of King’s academic health sciences partners.
autistic children, and enjoying it. Philip Regan
Physics , 1989 Launched a new directory for interim executives in January 2011. Jacqui Ashworth (now Bartram)
Nutrition & Dietetics, 1990 Given up work and moved to the country. Bliss!
Julien King
Physics, 1986 Currently teaching physics and astronomy at Ermysted’s Grammar School, Skipton, and am principal moderator for GCSE Astronomy with EdExcel. Live in North Yorkshire with partner and three-year-old son.
Jonathan Carroll
History, 1990 Currently working as an international criminal judge in the EU Rule of Law Mission (EULEX) in Kosovo.
stratigraphy. Still get a kick out of new discoveries, no matter how small. Also curating neglected fossil mollusca collection at the Natural History Museum. Philosophy of science still grips me. Daughter asked about ‘Occam’s Razor’, which led back to Plato’s theory of forms, predicates and universals. Maybe a seed has been planted. Will nurture it quietly.
Patricia Pank
Nursing Studies, 1994 Having retired from King’s I am now trustee, clinical adviser and fundraising events organiser for the Helen Bamber Foundation. On the research ethics committee at Royal Marsden Hospital and on Department of Health advisory group as lay member for ACCEA.
Biochemistry, 1987 My business address is changing, as my lab is moving to the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Anyone wanting to get in touch should use my home address.
Education, 1990 Have a daughter born in 2004. Still teaching languages part-time at BDA in west London. Alice Herbert (now McManus)
Carlos Garbisu
Physiotherapy, 1990 Just started back to work full-time, juggling work with three kids – James 16, Jeremy 12, Jennifer 8 – and wonderful hubby Chris.
Biology, 1992 Recently appointed Scientific Director at Neiker-Tecnalia. Still working on the impact of environmental pollution. Soon I’ll be 50 years old and still missing King’s.
Philip Palmer
Education, 1989 Teaching a class of seven severely
Philosophy, 1990 Continue research into aspects of geology – palaeontology and
Christine Beadle (now Robinson)
Helen Smith (now Moody)
Chemistry, 1991 Worked in the pharmaceutical industry for many years, then with pesticides for three years in Switzerland. Married, and currently looking after my one-year-old son full time.
Richard Nogalski
English, 1993 I’ve just become a mother to Hari Singh. Working for the BBC in London.
Biology, 1991 Been out in Singapore for nearly two years. Currently teaching production design to film students at Tisch School of the Arts Asia (a branch of NYU).
Vanessa Casey
Biology, 1987 Professor in the Department of Pathology at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston. My website is www.tokerlab.com
Anita Anand
Portuguese & Brazilian Studies & French, 1993 Relocated to Sydenham from Chelsea in August 2007. Greenery, space and fresh air! Working 5 1/2 days a week to keep my high-maintenance teenagers – three down, two to go!
Elizabeth Lander
Ding-Ji Shi
Alex Toker
English department at Kennesaw State University in Georgia, US.
Patricia Bessey
Construction Law, 1996 I am now Master of the Worshipful Company of Constructors. Mark Burton
Maria Koehler (now Schofer)
English, 1992 Currently a faculty member in the
Geography, 1998 Work for the Department of Transport integrating transport and land use
Working 9 to 5 Natasha Freeman
‘Unless you knew that you wanted to be a vet when you were seven, it is hard to know what job you would be best suited to or even what’s available out there.’ So says Natasha Freeman (Film & American Studies, 2009). The challenge of figuring out what career to pursue has led Freeman, along with her husband Keren Mitchell, to set up the job comparison website thejobcrowd.com. The site aims to give a clear representation of what it is like to work in a particular profession or at a particular company by inviting reviews from employees. Freeman’s frustration as a newly graduated job-seeker spending ‘hundreds of
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Job-seeking frustration led Natasha Freeman to create thejobcrowd.com
hours reading job descriptions and trawling through careers resources’ was, she discovered, an unpleasant experience shared by many of her friends. Creating thejobcrowd.com seemed the obvious solution. Her belief that all people should have the opportunity to ‘get the best job for them’ has led to Freeman supporting the Shaw Trust, a charity which offers employment services to the disabled and disadvantaged. ‘There were people in my year at King’s who were supported by the Shaw Trust, so I was keen to partner with them.’ Freeman encourages King’s alumni who want to share their work experiences with others to visit www.thejobcrowd.com.
Call +44 (0)20 7848 3053 for more information about our alumni services and benefits planning in Melbourne. Married for four years and father to a 15-month-old daughter, Eleanor.
World Cup glory for Jim Jim Tranter
Ariane Demeneix
English & French Law, 1998 After qualifying as a solicitor and avocat in 2000, I worked in private practice and in-house. Currently based in Brussels working for the European Commission. Naheed Islam
Pharmacology, 1998 Global Marketing Manager for Lacima Group, a specialist provider of software and advisory services for energy risk management, valuation and optimisation. Alexander Sienkiewicz
Geography, 1998 Director of Corporate Affairs at Brighton and Sussex University hospitals. We now have two young sons, Tom and Ned.
In September 2010 Jim Tranter (Mathematics, 1966), a dedicated hockey player, realised a lifelong ambition by taking home a gold medal from the Grand Masters Hockey World Cup in Cape Town, South Africa, beating Australia 2-0 in the final. ‘This was an improvement on my previous World Cup experience, in Germany in 2006 when, as a member of the England Grand Masters (over 60) team we won silver medals, losing to Germany in the final.’ Jim, now a member of the over 65 team, started playing hockey as a boy, picking up his passion for the sport from his father, also a talented player.
‘Competitive hockey started when I was selected for the Shropshire county team when I was about 17 years old. An early highlight of my hockey career was the season when London University, for whom I played when I was at King’s, defeated both Oxford and Cambridge in the same year.’ When asked what he enjoys most about playing hockey, Jim replies: ‘The camaraderie – and the fact that you can carry on playing for a long time.’ And carry on playing is just what Jim intends to do. ‘My next target is to retain my place in the England over 65 team for the European championships in Germany in August, then in the next World Cup in England in 2012.’
Jacqueline Davies
Defence Studies, 2004 After returning from running the Op HERRICK budget for the UK forces in Afghanistan, I was selected to attend the Royal College of Defence Studies from September 2010. Jane Johnson
Physiotherapy, 2004 My second book, Deep Tissue Massage, was published in October. The third, Postural Assessment, will come out in 2011. I am currently writing my fourth, Therapeutic Stretching, all with Human Kinetics publishers. Carine Baker (now Roberts)
Physiotherapy, 2004 Carine, Dan, Joseph and Amelie Roberts are excited to announce the arrival of Louis James Roberts, born May 2010. I can email a photo if you’re interested! Nicholas Taylor
Robert Stein-Rostaing
Geography, 1998 Happily now moved out of mergers and acquisitions and other entrepreneurial activities and fully focused on TV and film with new joint venture with Stampfwerk GmbH of Germany. Sophie Oliviere (now Sullivan)
Philosophy & Theology, 1998 Now married to Mike, with one daughter and another baby on the way. I’m an RE teacher, currently taking time out from work to bring up the children. Laith Al-Saour
Mechatronics, 2000 I am currently a senior stress analysis engineer in the oil and gas industry. Isabel Shackell (now Mathias)
Hispanic Studies, 2000 Married to Nick since 2002. Have two boys, Freddie and Hugo. Moved to Essex. John Partington
Dentistry, 2000 Now settled with wife Susan and daughter Felicity, born in December 2009, in a dental practice in Gisborne, New Zealand.
Lily Ford
History, 2001 Doing a PhD in Humanities and Cultural Studies at the London Consortium.
sustainable development and human rights charities advocating good water governance and at the UNDP supporting a range of programmes in the Middle East. I also met with Ban Ki-moon.
Pupinder Ghatora
Pharmacy, 2001 Became a daddy in July 2010 with the birth of daughter Kimran. Munira Ladha (now Ualimohamed)
Biopharmacy, 2001 Won bronze award in the PharmaTimes Clinical Researcher of the Year competition, project manager category. Faith Munro (now Hill)
Educational Research, 2002 Won a National Teaching Fellowship (HEA) in 2009. Promoted to professorial equivalent (level 7) in 2010.
Bhupinder Rayet (now Pandya)
Pharmacy, 2003 I married in 2006, and now have two daughters, Nayna and Ishwari. I have been a community pharmacy manager for the last six years.
Law, 2002 Recently set up my own legal and business consultancy firm. My website is www.lexiras.co.uk Ghada Osman
Environment & Development, 2003 I have worked for a number of
Rebecca Atkinson
Text & Performance Studies, 2005 I have just been appointed as the Director of Theatre at Oval House Theatre in south London. Justin Williams
Pawan Rishiraj
Pharmacology, 2003 Now working as a consultant in drug safety. I’ve been in the industry for six years and still enjoying it – there are new challenges every day. Ruben Sen
Jetinder Shergill
War Studies, 2004 Have just completed an appointment as the Oceanographic Officer on HMS Enterprise deployed to the Gulf and Oman. I intend to further specialise in oceanography and anti-submarine warfare.
Mechatronics & Manufacturing Systems, 2003 Enjoying the sunshine!
Music, 2005 Recently started a new job as lecturer in music at Anglia Ruskin University. Panagiotis Dimitrakis
War Studies, 2006 My book Military Intelligence in Cyprus: From the Great War to Middle East Crises has been published by IB Tauris. Timothy End
Mohd Yaacob
Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 2003 Currently head of the Department of Psychiatry at Universiti Sains, Malaysia.
Music, 2006 Recently awarded the Gerald Moore award for Accompanists at the Henry Wood Hall, accompanying the baritone spring 2011 IN TOUCH
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Class notes PhD student launches online literary journal Tammy Ho
Tammy Ho, a PhD Literature student at King’s, is co-founder of the online literary journal Asian Cha. Launched in 2007, it has received a number of international awards and has been featured in a number of Asian publications, including Time Out Hong Kong and China Daily. ‘Although the attention is nice and gratifying,’ says Ho, ‘for me, the real reward has been building a sense of community with our contributors and readers. It is also nice to see that Cha acts as a platform from which our contributors can get their work noticed. Several pieces have been translated into other languages and a couple of our writers have found publishers for their debut novels on the
strength of their stories that were first featured in Cha.’ Originally from Hong Kong, Ho realised that the region did not have an online English language literary journal. ‘We knew that a lot of great writing in English in Asia is often underestimated or goes unpublished. We also had the sense that as Asia becomes more influential in world affairs, interest in Asian writing would start to grow’. Supported in part by the King’s Hong Kong Alumni Association, her studies are balanced with running Cha and writing poetry. ‘At the moment I do not have much time to focus on developing Cha but I hope it will continue to grow and flourish organically as it has done so far.’ The online journal is available at www.asiancha.com.
Jonathan McGovern. We will be making our Wigmore Hall debut in October 2011.
2010. At last, time for my own reading and writing! I went back to school in December.
Robert Fellows
Christopher Jenkins
War Studies, 2006 I have recently been appointed second-in-command of a rifle company in the rank of captain. I expect to return to Afghanistan in this role.
Advanced Physiotherapy (Sport & Performance), 2009 Currently lead physiotherapist and medical services co-ordinator for a professional rugby club, London Welsh RFC in Richmond.
Tammy Ho’s online journal has launched careers
Currently doing an LLM in Maritime Law at UCL. Matthew Alder
Lucy Moyse (now Pallett)
English, 2006 I got married on 1 May 2010! I am now a very happy Mrs Lucy Pallett. Gail Ritchie
European Studies, 2007 I am about to launch Ardmay House International Summer School offering English language tuition and adventure activities to students from across the world aged 8-16 in the heart of the Scottish countryside. Jessica Haig
Music, 2008 I qualified as a primary school teacher in July 2010 and now work as a year 1 teacher in Buckinghamshire. I have recently taken up a position as organist at a local church.
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Sabina Kupczyk
Environmental Monitoring, Modelling & Management, 2009 I am back on track! Studying HSc Sustainable Environmental Management at Middlesex University. Grace Nyandoro
Mental Health Social Work with Children and Adults, 2009 I moved into a senior position (lead forensic social worker) within six months of completing my master’s course. Emmanuel Omowaye
Biblical Studies, 2009 Have been appointed Lecturer in Biblical Studies at Archbishop Vining College of Theology in Akure, Nigeria.
Joanne Howes
Nazanin Tajbakhsh
Education & English, 2008 Baby Agnes May arrived in March
Law, 2009 Called to the Bar in October 2010.
IN TOUCH
spring 2011
Electronic Engineering Systems, 2010 Having achieved the first-class degree required for my job offer from JP Morgan, I began their graduate programme in September. I am learning a lot and really enjoying my new role. I would recommend the programme to any current students in related fields.
Normanby College Julia Phelps (now Haviland)
Physiotherapy & Radiography, 1962 The physiotherapy set who started at King’s College Hospital in October 1958 had their annual reunion in November 2010 – 52 years after they first met! Does anyone else remember us? Please get in touch.
Megan Murray-Pepper
English Currently studying for a PhD in English Literature at King’s.
Queen Elizabeth College
Phyllis Quenault (now Nye)
Jean Slater (now Chilver)
History I worked in university education for a while, finishing up at the University College of the Gold Coast (now University of Ghana) where I met and married Peter Nye, Senior Lecturer in soil science. We had three children, all born in Ghana, before moving to Vienna and then Oxford where I worked as a volunteer at the Ashmolean Museum for nearly 30 years specialising in Asian (particularly Japanese) art. We moved to Bournemouth seven years ago to be near our son, and Peter died last year. For the last four years I have been giving a course on Remarkable Women and despite my age I still cycle everywhere.
Nutrition & Dietetics, 1956 Enjoyed a family celebration for our 50th wedding anniversary. Mavis Gray (now McNeelance)
Nursing Studies, 1959 I remember my time at QEC (19571959) with gratitude and affection. I really appreciate receiving my copy of InTouch magazine. Jane Jackson (now Le Feuvre)
Biochemistry, 1972 Having gained Early Years professional status 18 months ago I am now able to take an advisory management role at the pre-school and nursery where I work.
Email us at alumnioff@kcl.ac.uk for advice on planning reunions and looking up old friends
Robert Barnes
Anthony Henry
The last Principal of Queen Elizabeth College!
Medicine, 1962 Finished Land’s End to John O’Groats cycle and walking trip this year, after 13 years. I enjoy meeting classmates at reunions and am looking forward to 2012 – our 50th year of qualifying.
Royal Dental Hospital Nizar Verjee
Dentistry, 1966 Awarded an honorary doctorate by Oxford Brookes University in September 2009 for my contribution to public health in Kenya.
Izabella Dunajecka (now Horsfall)
Medicine, 1962 Still practising as a GP in Freeport, Bahamas. Walked 75 miles of the Camino de Santiago between April and June 2010. R. Logan
Elizabeth Brady (now Davenport)
Dentistry, 1974 Won an award for Outstanding Achiever at The Dental Awards 2010 and was shortlisted for the 2010 THE Award for Most Innovative Teacher of the Year. Jeffrey Wilson
Dentistry, 1980 30th anniversary dinner to be held at The Royal in Spring 2011.
St Thomas’ Peter Trafford
Medicine, 1942 Now retired from activity with the local National Trust, Royal British Legion, church and Bristol Medical History Society. Married Josie in 1944. Still soldiering on.
Medicine, 1966 Retiring to garden and enjoy rural life. Need to perfect my wine-making. Richard Hawkins
Medicine, 1976 Life with Jane Foley (St Thomas’, 1976) continues to be a pleasure. One daughter (Lois) has entered medicine.
The honeymoon period – and then some Peter Burdon and Lindsey Campbell
Peter Burdon and Lindsey Campbell (both Pharmacology, 1998) were married in 2005 and set off on an epic 14-month honeymoon through Russia, Asia and South America. ‘We had often talked about travelling,’ says Peter, ‘but it wasn’t until I proposed that Lindsey came up with her grand plan.’ Inspired to write by the loyal readership of his travel blog, Burdon published a travelogue, Come Away with Me, and photo diary, A Year on the Road, with proceeds going to charities that the couple came across on their journey. ‘The book changed the way we travelled as we were always looking for new things to write about.’ ‘I cannot really label one place as my favourite,’ says Burdon. ‘However, we have every intention of returning to Chalalán, an eco-lodge deep in the
Bolivian rainforest. It is a beautiful and remote setting and our guide, Sergio, went to great lengths to tell us about his culture and the natural environment. He asked us if we might return so that he could take us to his village and introduce us to his family. We promised we would, and have every intention of keeping our word.’ When asked if the couple have any ‘grand plans’ for future travel, Burdon replies: ‘We have a very large world map at home and we are always looking at it and dreaming. However, we had a son, Ruari, in 2009, and have another baby on the way, so we have put our more adventurous travel plans on hold. We have talked about doing something as a family one day and I would also like to retrace the exact route we took on our honeymoon in 30 years or so, to see how things have changed. We shall see...’
Robin Luff
Medicine, 1976 Retiring – finally – this year! Jennifer Schram
Medicine, 1985 GP at School Lane Surgery, Thetford, Norfolk and GP Co-ordinator for the Cambridge Graduate Course in Medicine. Enjoying life, singing, sailing and my cat. Robina Coker
Boots Boothroyd
Medicine, 1943 I am a retired old fossil from St Thomas’ Hospital Medical School. I played soccer for St Thomas’ and captained the side in 1942-1943. I remember producing the Christmas show at St Thomas’, and thoroughly enjoying myself as a student.
Medicine, 1986 Somewhat belatedly married (in 2008 to Ted), I continue to spend weekdays in London and weekends in Wiltshire. Respiratory medicine at Hammersmith Hospital and clinical directorship of the NW London Comprehensive Local Research Network keep me busy. Shirley Bush
Anthony Bacon
Medicine, 1947 Given up golf. Now spend my time playing snooker and reading. John Harper
Medicine, 1958 Now retired, but still interested in all matters medical.
Medicine, 1987 After qualifying I went into general practice in south London, before working in New Zealand, Australia and at the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. Am now in my second year in Ottawa, Canada, working as Assistant Professor and Palliative Care Physician at Elisabeth Bruyere Hospital.
A honeymoon for the ages
spring 2011 IN TOUCH
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Obituaries On these pages we remember former students, staff and friends of King’s and its associated colleges and institutions. In Touch makes every effort to accommodate fitting tributes, and friends, family and former colleagues are welcome to submit obituaries to alumoff@kcl.ac.uk. However, constraints occasionally mean we may have to edit the entries .
he would reply: ‘T’was a pleasure and a privilege.’ He had extensive knowledge of both science and the arts, and was passionately fond of Greece, real ale, Norfolk and motorbikes – one of which he planned to ride through India with Val, his wife. Alas, he died before he could do so. He leaves Val and two sons. Paul Getty III
Dr William John Revell
Chelsea, Life, Basic Medical & Health Sciences, 1979; UMDS, PhD, 1995. Dr William Revell was a highly respected and much-loved academic, whose career began as a researcher at Guy’s, King’s and St Thomas’. He became an authority on the blood supply in bone and the effects of electromagnetic fields on bone repair, penning a considerable number of publications. Appointed Senior Lecturer with the London Metropolitan University, he became a valued and cherished member of staff. His lectures were renowned for energy and mischievous entertainment; he performed his last, on bioethics, to a standing ovation two days before retirement. His written work was bursting with elegant phraseology; he knew how to use words and excelled in doing so. Beneath a seemingly bluff and rather cantankerous exterior, he was a charming, caring and witty man who excelled as a mentor and was always happy to take time to help students and staff alike. When thanks were offered,
Chelsea College Miriam Cowle (latterly Daisley)
Pharmacy, 1963 Rajendra Mehta Pharmacy, 1976
Guy’s Arthur Pollard OBE Dentistry, 1939 Dr William Budd Medicine, 1940 Dr Mark Wilks Medicine, 1942 Dr Philip Hopkins Medicine, 1943 David Robinson Dentistry, 1944 Dr Niall MacManus Medicine, 1944 Dr Tony Thé Medicine, 1944 Clifford Matthews Dentistry, 1945 Dr Kenneth Newton Medicine, 1945 Derek Gray Dentistry, 1945 Raymond Shaw Dentistry, 1947 Robert Carson Dentistry, 1948 Dr Alan McLauchlan Medicine, 1949 Osler Thomas MBE Medicine, 1949 Dr John Hughes Medicine, 1950 Hywel Jones Dentistry, 1951 Dr Walford Davies Medicine, 1953
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Although he grew up in one of the world’s wealthiest families, philanthropist Paul Getty’s life was marked by several tragedies, including a brutal kidnapping at age 16 and a stroke at 24 that left him severely paralysed for the remainder of his life. He lived in the UK for many years and supported multiple organisations, including King’s. He is remembered warmly at the university for his generous support to advance epileptology research at the College. He established the Paul Getty III Professor of Epilepsy, a position held by Professor Mark Richardson, in support of King’s world-leading reputation for epilepsy treatment and research.Announcing his father’s death, Balthazar Getty said, ‘He never let his handicap keep him from living life to the fullest and he was an inspiration to all of us, showing us how to stand up to all adversity.’ Dr Ingeborg Ruth Lindsay (nee Ingeborg Ruth Wiernik)
Guy’s, Medicine,1947. Affectionately described by her daughter Anna as a
Dr Donald Noble Dentistry, 1953 Dr John Anderson Medicine, 1954 Dr John Bushman Medicine, 1959 Dr Eric Barker Medicine, 1961 Dr Denis Waters Dentistry, 1963 Timothy Cheesman Dentistry, 1964 David Evans Dentistry, 1967 Dr David Jones Medicine, 1973 Maria Tilton (latterly Olofsdotter Helgeson)
‘mischievous schoolgirl (she taught the entire school to wolf-whistle)’, Dr Ingeborg Lindsay served as a nurse during the Second World War, and in 1947 became one of the first women to be admitted to study medicine at Guy’s. A passionate mountaineer, she was the sole woman in the British climbing team invited to the Dolomites after the war. When she qualified as a doctor, she promptly set off to travel around the world, on her own. Angela Grace Minchin
Normanby, Physiotherapy & Radiography, 1951. After rising to the position of Superintendent Physiotherapist at King’s College Hospital, Angela Minchin trained as a tutor, and ultimately became Deputy Principal in the School of Physiotherapy at Normanby College. She was a contributor to King’s library fund, motivated to give when the first degree course for physiotherapy students at Normanby was accepted by King’s.
King’s, History, 1954. Peter Heath lectured in medieval history at Hull University for nearly 40 years, retiring as Reader Emeritus in 1996. Although most of his published work centred on ecclesiastical history, he was no narrow specialist, producing articles on themes ranging from the Flemish School of artists to the fisheries of medieval
KCSMD
Professor John Spence Medicine, 1986 Dr Guy Sanders Medicine, 1988 Elizabeth Willson Dentistry, 1988
Institute of Psychiatry
King’s College London
Dr Jonathan Pedder
Sir Eric Driver Civil Engineering, 1933 Michael Keelan Civil Engineering, 1935 Richard Reiss Civil Engineering, 1937 Nesta Williams (latterly Ellwood) AKC
Psychological Medicine, 1961
KCHSS Monica Bowditch (latterly Gough)
Household & Social Sciences, 1950
George Frederick Kantorowicz
Guy’s, Dentistry, 1950. George Frederick Kantorowicz’s teaching as a Consultant at the Royal Dental Hospital will be fondly remembered by several generations of students as vivacious, skilful, caring and with a great sense of humour. He was the main author of Inlays, Crowns and Bridges, the standard textbook on the subject in most British dental schools for 30 years. He was also appointed to the Great Ormond Street Hospital, where he treated children with cleft lip and palate. Born in Bonn in 1921, he left Nazi Germany in 1934 and was schooled in the UK. He joined the British Army and finished the war having earned a sergeant’s stripes and a mention in dispatches. Arthur David Robinson
Peter Heath
H Griffith Dentistry, 1938 Dr R Sandison AKC Medicine, 1940 Dr Albert Rinsler Medicine, 1947 Dr Basil Pickles Medicine, 1947 Dr Leslie Davis AKC Medicine, 1948 Dr John Summerhayes Medicine, 1948 Dr Sidney Rowell Medicine, 1949 Anthony Payne Dentistry, 1959 Dr Bill Nobbs Medicine, 1965 Dr David Maizels Medicine, 1974 Dr Keith Barrow Medicine, 1983 Dr C Smith
Dentistry, 1984
Yorkshire. He possessed a dry wit, a widely informed mind, an enviable fluency with the pen and a gift for friendship, endearing him to colleagues, students and classmates.
Botany, 1938 Duncan Mellor AKC History, 1939 Dr Rex Lawrie 1939 Lieutenant-Colonel Leslie Brannan
David Robinson joined Guy’s as an assistant to Professor Herbert, first teaching students Operative Dentistry on the Phantom Head, then supervising their clinical work.He also lectured on dental materials and was Head of the Dental Photographic Department. A keen golfer with a handicap of 11, after retirement he also enjoyed bowls and exploring the waterways of
Classics, 1940 Margaret Bowen AKC French, 1945 Dr Wei Lyn Mechanical Engineering, 1945 Malcolm Lyell Botany, 1946 Peter Grant Civil Engineering, 1946 Anthony Gayfer 1947 Graham Broadhead
Civil Engineering, 1950 Henry Fox Law, 1951 Paul Wright AKC French, 1951 The Revd Herbert Haitley Theology, 1952 Vallance Clout AKC English, 1952 The Revd Ronald Bowles AKC
Theology, 1952 Dr Douglas Cornish Medicine, 1953 Professor Edward Grant AKC Physics, 1953 Michael Weaver-Smith Geography, 1953 David French Civil Engineering, 1953 Peter Heath History, 1954 Ronald Dewar Law, 1955 Godfrey Binaisa QC Law, 1955 Dr Yusuf Ahmad Organic Chemistry, 1955 Stanley Gooch German, 1955 Dr Rex Walford Education, 1956 The Revd John Corke AKC Theology, 1956
Email us at alumoff@.kcl.ac.uk
A big man with a big heart
England on his canal boat with family and friends.
The Very Reverend Colin Slee
Hedley Jones
King’s, Theology, 1969. Chaplain 1976-82, Fellow 2001. A radical reformer, Colin Slee was a passionate champion of the Church of England’s liberal tradition, becoming particularly outspoken after his appointment as Dean of Southwark Cathedral. Born in 1945, he went to Ealing Grammar School and served with the VSO in Papua New Guinea before studying at King’s and completing his training at St Augustine’s College, Canterbury. Described as ‘a big man, with a big heart and a big laugh’, he always had a rapport with the young, which served him well, first in Cambridge, where he was Curate at Great St Mary’s and Chaplain of Girton College, and then at King’s, where he was appointed Chaplain in 1976. He held the post for six years, and was a popular and influential figure. In 1982 he became Sub-Dean of St Albans Cathedral and, in 1994, Dean of Southwark Cathedral. His Sunday morning congregations in the south London diocese were a rich mix that reflected the diversity of the area and his own passionate belief in inclusivity. He objected strongly when the church failed to consecrate the openly homosexual Canon Jeffrey John as suffragan Bishop of Reading in 2003. When he was elected to the General
King’s, Mathematics, 1953. The son of a Bristol Channel ship pilot, Hedley Jones expected to follow in his father’s footsteps, but failed the eye test at 16, and so continued his education – a fortuitous turn of events, it turned out. After King’s, he qualified as a teacher, first teaching RAF apprentices in Somerset, then pupils in Singapore, Germany and Kent, retiring as Head of Mathematics at the Boy’s Grammar School in Tunbridge Wells. ‘He never wanted to be head teacher, because he loved teaching,’ says his wife Meryl. ‘He loved children and they loved him.’ The Very Reverend Colin Slee
Synod in 2005, he spoke up uncompromisingly for the liberal cause. In 2006, he joined the Crown Nominations Committee, which chooses bishops and senior clergy, where he struggled to counter the evangelical influence that had ‘hounded’ John. All of which undoubtedly cost him a bishopric himself. A close friend of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, he was chairman of the Tutu Foundation. In 2001 he was appointed OBE and elected a Fellow of King’s. He is survived by his wife Edith, a son, two daughters, a foster son and a foster daughter.
Norman Thompson
Gregory Atkin Theology
Civil Engineering, 1958 Gordon Lampitt Mathematics, 1958 Robert Wright German, 1961
& Religious Studies, 1990 Eric Weller Construction Law, 1991 Dr Barry Conway AKC Theology & Religious Studies, 1992 Lesley Dredge Law, 1992 Fenton Wallace Physiology, 1994 Kahlil Hazri Law, 1995 Amy Black Music - Performance Studies, 1996 Dr Paula Knight Education, 1997 Benjamin Kellogg Arts, 2000
Roberta Routledge (latterly Kiralfy)
Law, 1961 Kenneth Pimblett Law, 1961 Peter Crimes Chemistry, 1961 Dr Ian Foster Medicine, 1962 Michel Willems Engineering, 1962 David Odugbemi General, 1963 Bruce Wilson Law, 1964 Peter Twiddy Law, 1966 Vivien Morgan (latterly Jones)
Geography, 1966 John Starkie Law, 1966 Anne Smith Music, 1967 Roma Bacheldor (latterly Giuri) AKC
Law, 1968 Jonathan Farrar German, 1970 The Revd Christopher Cuthbertson AKC
Theology & Religious Studies, 1974 Kunio Watanabe English, 1976 Charles Batteson Education, 1984 Cedric Leung Philosophy, 1985
Anne Stapley (latterly Beckerton)
Applied Organisational Psychiatry & Psychology, 2001 Jeremy Paul Pharmacology, 2002 Nadia Butt Human Biology, 2008 Zoe Anderson Neuroscience, 2009
Queen Elizabeth College Eileen Atkinson Household & Social
Sciences, 1953 Vincent Ryle Food Science, 1983
Michael Powell
King’s, Medicine, 1952. Trained in histopathology, Michael Powell gained a lectureship and worked under Professor Philip Magnus. He left King’s in 1962 to become consultant histopathologist at Kingston, where he stayed until retirement in 1981. He remarked, ‘I enjoyed every minute of my medical life.’ Arthur Frederick Cobbold OBE
Arthur Frederick Cobbold initially studied accountancy but turned to the sciences after World War II, obtaining a BSc Honours in Chemistry at the University College of Nottingham.
Royal Dental Hospital Jonathan Ridy Dentistry, 1946 Eileen McGuire (latterly McGuire-Lindon)
Dentistry, 1947 Robert Skidmore Dentistry, 1951 Roger Pattinson Dentistry, 1953 Brian Alford Dentistry, 1956 William Humpherson Dentistry, 1956 Barry Aron Dentistry, 1961 Arthur Stallwood Dentistry
He was appointed Lecturer in Physiology at the Chelsea Polytechnic, during which he took honours BSc degree at St Thomas’ Hospital Medical School in Human Physiology, followed by a PhD degree. He was appointed Lecturer, Senior Lecturer and then Reader at St Thomas’. He left for Tasmania in 1964 where he was appointed Professor of Physiology at the University of Tasmania Medical School and in 1969 Dean of Medicine. He was an outstanding lecturer and after-dinner speaker with a laconic sense of humour. Alan Hugh Kent
Alan Hugh Kent arrived at King’s in 1987 after a career in industry in order to manage the College’s participation in an EU COMETT programme concerned with training in microelectronic design. It required all of his diplomacy skills to manage the interests of the participating colleges as well as in negotiations with international partners. His industrial career had kept him at the forefront of developments in technology; he had been involved in instrumentation, fluidics, telecommunications and fibre optics at Plessey’s research laboratory. His interests were wide-ranging, from art and music to steam trains and organs. His wife Myra predeceased him in 2005; they were without children. He chose a humanist funeral for which he, typically, had selected the music.
Dr James Edwards Medicine, 1953 Dr Alan Myles Medicine, 1953 Dr Michael Myers Medicine, 1958 Dr Iain Morrison Medicine, 1963 Andrew Thomas Medicine, 1976 Dr Andrew Hobbs Medicine, 1991 Dr W Eade Medicine
Establishment not known John Turner Chemistry, 1945
St Thomas’
Apologies
William Holdsworth Medicine, 1933 Professor Ian Magnus Medicine 1944 Dr Michael Flindt Medicine, 1945 Captain D Dalgliesh Medicine, 1946 Dr Donald Mackenzie Late Sqdn-Ldr RAF
We want to send our sincere apologies to two alumni whom we mistakenly listed on the obituaries page of the Autumn 2010 issue. We are pleased to report that both James Rennie (Chelsea College, Pharmacy, 1977) and Richard David Spearman (History, 1982) are still very much with us. We also extend our apologies to friends and classmates of these gentlemen.
Medicine, 1947 Rolf Shepherd Medicine, 1949 Professor Hugh Webb Medicine, 1951 Dr Deric Hawkins Medicine, 1951 Dr Peter Dennison Medicine, 1951 Dr Christopher Savile Medicine, 1952
spring 2011 IN TOUCH
45
Logic puzzle Three King’s students apply for a summer research position, a chance to work with an eccentric but brilliant professor. As part of the application process they go through several rounds of intensive testing. After a morning of gruelling tests, the trio enter the professor’s office. He explains that, remarkably, they scored exactly the same on their tests. ‘To resolve this I am going to ask you one final question to determine your analytical skills,’ he says. ‘Whoever answers this question first will get the job. This test is absolutely fair, none of you will be disadvantaged.’ The professor produces a paper bag from under his desk and turns it over. Out fall three black
hats and one white hat. ‘I am going to blindfold all three of you and place a hat on each of your heads. Then, with the help of my assistants we will remove the blindfolds simultaneously. You’re seated in a way that you can see one another equally well. Whichever one of you can tell me the colour of the hat on your head first will get the job.’ The professor blindfolds them and then places a hat on each of their heads. But even before he can summon his assistants, one of the students raises his hand and says, ‘I know what colour my hat is.’ He’s right – he does. How could he know while still blindfolded? paul blow
Four hats, three students and one quirky professor. Who will answer this question first?
Send your solutions to: Logic Puzzle, In Touch, King’s College London, Ground Floor Office, Strand Bridge House, 138-142 Strand, London, WC2R 1HH or email intouch@kcl.ac.uk. The three best solutions received before 1 August 2011 will each win a £10 book token
Last issue’s puzzle… SKALPS
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IN TOUCH
spring 2011
You’ll remember from the previous issue of InTouch that the readers of this page have created their own association, the Secret King’s Alumni Logic Puzzle Society, aka SKALPS. To enter the group’s meetings you need a password – a password in the form of an answer to a puzzle. On a cool, damp London evening alumni Ben, Caterina, Helen and Hamid queue up outside the door of the club’s undisclosed location, hoping to gain entry into the SKALPS monthly meeting. Ben knocks
first and a woman answers and says, ‘News vote’, to which he replies, ‘Nine’ and is duly admitted. Then Caterina knocks and the woman reappears and says ‘Teething’, to which Caterina replies ‘Eighteen’ and is also let in. Helen is next; she knocks, the woman says, ‘Teen hero’, Helen replies, ‘Four’ and in she goes. Finally Hamid knocks on the door. The woman opens it and says, ‘Even for us.’ What must Hamid say to gain entrance? ‘Eleven.’ Here’s why: ‘News vote’ is an anagram of ‘two’ and ‘seven’; two plus seven
equals nine. ‘Teething’ is an anagram of ‘eight’ and ‘ten’; eight plus ten equals eighteen. ‘Teen hero’ is an anagram of ‘one’ and ‘three’; one plus three equals four. ‘Even for us’ is an anagram of ‘four’ and ‘seven’; and four plus seven equals eleven. So, to attend this month’s SKALPS meeting, Hamid needs to reply, ‘Eleven.’ We received correct answers from: William Withnell (French, 1948), Trevor Burton (Mathematics & Physics, 1965) and Claire Fitzgerald (Physiotherapy, 2003).
Letters We always love to hear from our readers, so please drop us a line. The best letter wins a £20 book token. We reserve the right to edit for space and clarity. Write to intouch@ kcl.ac.uk or Letters, InTouch, King’s College London, Ground Floor Office, Strand Bridge House, 138-142 Strand, London, WC2R 1HH
Prize letter
A queen at King’s...
I remember clearly a visit by Queen Elizabeth (above), the Queen Mother, to King’s probably in 1957-8. As I went into the building the day before I was amazed at the transformation in progress. Red carpet was being laid up the impressive staircase and flower vases prepared at the foot. On the day the library was ‘arranged’ with chosen students sitting silently around the tables. There were no students about on the corridors. In the labs we all wore clean lab coats and behaved meticulously! I remember commenting, ‘I wish she would walk in tomorrow and see normal activity in progress.’ It was a lovely occasion and one for which we were very honoured. Gillian Parrott (now Selvey), (King’s, Zoology, 1959)
(Spring 2010, page nine) you refer to LIDCO being developed by Dr David Band, but seem to have overlooked the large contribution that was made by his collaborators. Dr Robert Linton conceived the idea to use lithium as an indicator for measuring cardiac output, played a major part in the laboratory development of the method and carried out all the initial clinical trials in his cardiac patients. Dr Terry O’Brien provided the necessary business expertise to set up and develop LIDCO Ltd. While not wishing to diminish the part played by Dr Band, the original concept, the clinical trials and the commercialisation were all provided by others. Sir Richard Thompson (St Thomas’, Medicine, 1964) War Horse connection
...and Hollywood royalty drops by
corbis
In 1954 (or possibly one year either side) the film star Greer Garson came back to King’s where she had been an undergraduate studying French. Because she had starred in Mrs Miniver when we were all children in the war, we foolishly imagined she would look middle-aged. We were shattered when the most stunning redhead in a scarlet silk New Look cocktail dress with yards of material at the back swept into the Great Hall and told us about her time at King’s. Are there any photographs of the occasion – or any records of what she said? Bridget Clarke (King’s, History, 1956) l If you can give us further insight into this visit, please drop us a line. A team effort Greer Garson
In your article entitled Measuring Cardiac Output
We are delighted to know that Michael Morpurgo was at King’s; his charity Farms for City Children is a brilliant idea and does great work. I thought that it might be worth mentioning that our son, both of whose parents trained in medicine at St Thomas’, produced and co-directed War Horse which will open in New York this year. Drs Michael and Rosemary Morris (St Thomas’, Medicine, 1957 and 1960) Greetings from a former student
I was delighted to read the letter from Dr Douglas Bilbey in your Autumn issue. He taught me anatomy in the early 60s. His teaching was undoubtedly inspiring and was much admired by his students. May I send him my good wishes through your column? Dr John Bostock (KCSMD, Medicine, 1966) spring 2011 IN TOUCH
47
This I’ve learned
luke janssen
Luke Janssen, CEO of TigerSpike, graduated from King’s in 1997 with a BSc in Computer Science and Management. He worked at KPMG until 2003 when he founded TigerSpike, a technology firm that brings companies closer to their customers through personal media, such as handheld devices and tablet computers; recent products include The Economist’s iPad application. Janssen is married to artist Lydia Mullin, and they live in New York with their daughter Lucia. In his spare time he skis, sails and skydives – and he was the 2009 world whistling champion.
anna schori
The key thing we focus on is continuing to be innovative – we have to in the space that we are in – while also remaining professional and delivering quality work on time so that our clients trust us. It is very easy to fall into the trap of being the cool, fun, creative, innovative company who are too loose when it comes to delivering for big clients. Similarly there are many companies out there who are a little too big, slow to react and overly bureaucratic to keep up with such a changing industry. Steve Jobs has said that he ‘has the mind of an engineer and the heart of an artist’. When you approach the development of apps you do need to think about both aspects. From a technical point of view everything has to work, that goes without saying. But you do need to go beyond that; to make a good app you need insight into why and how people will use it, and you need good user-centric design. All of the people I work with are smart and we lean on each
other for support and share the pressure. In the beginning when we were pretty short-staffed, I did sometimes work 100-plus hour weeks, which did stress me out a bit, and my health did suffer a little. I remember at the time we did some work for a meditation centre, and as part of the deal we meditated every Tuesday, which actually does help with stress and creative thinking. These days I de-stress playing with my baby girl Lucia. I do take risks, but all the risks I take with skydiving or skiing off a cliff or cave-diving are calculated. They are actually much safer than you think if you prepare well. If you want the reward you have to take the risks. The reward for the risk of skydiving is how fun it is; the reward for when I took a risk and resigned from KPMG and started the company despite almost everyone advising me not to, is seeing it grow and the feeling that you get from knowing that you created a company that is now employing 82 people and our work is used by millions of people around the world. That’s pretty amazing when I think about it. A friend entered me in a whistling competition in Sydney. I whistled in front of 50,000 people, which was quite fun, and won. Then I went online and entered the ‘World Whistling Competition’ in North Carolina and won that too! What I want is to be recognised as the best whistler of all time, and whistle with my favourite band Muse to a packed Wembley Stadium. That would be my best performance.
I do take risks, but all the risks I take are calculated
48
IN TOUCH
spring 2011
• For every £1 you donate the UK Government will add an extra 33%. • That’s an additional £1 for every £3 you give. • All donations from the UK and around the world are eligible.
m 3+o=4 R E
• Up to £200 million of additional funding is available through the Government’s Matched Funding scheme. The College can only benefit when you donate.
‘33% Extra FREE from Matched Funding; this really is too good a Government-funded opportunity to pass up, so please give generously.’ Professor Sir Richard Trainor, Principal
For more information on this scheme please visit www.alumni.kcl.ac.uk/giving or contact Fundraising & Supporter Development on +44 (0)20 7848 4701
8th Annual
Alumni Weekend 10-12 June 2011
Journey of the
Senses
To see the full programme of events and to book your place, please visit www.alumni.kcl.ac.uk/alumniweekend, email alumoff@kcl.ac.uk or call +44 (0)20 7848 3053. For more information on events, please see page 28.