At the start of Trinity Term, Reuben College’s inaugural Graduate Executive Committee handed over to their successors. The committee members have offered their time and passion to ensure that Reuben’s inaugural students had the very finest of experiences, and have set the bar high for years to come.
This fantastic committee was led by Lauren Bolz as Graduate President, building on her experience as Oxford SU’s VP for Graduates. Lauren began the academic year single-handedly delivering what seemed like an infinite range of events, support, and wisdom, before being joined by her committee members. Her experience, dedication, and integrity were unswerving, and she passes the Graduate Presidency onto her successor with a truly epic legacy that is the envy of MCR Presidents across Oxford.
Joe Curtis, our Graduate Secretary, was very much unlike any secretary we have known. With occasional social forays, including being one of the inspiring forces behind our first College Ball, he continually presented cheery updates. Joe has had the dedication to follow his promises through, tackle adversity with a smile, and has given so much of his time at Oxford to Reuben’s grateful student body.
Our wise and wonderful VP for Academic Affairs, Sara Merner, will be missed. Understated, unafraid to dismiss the irrelevant, and thoughtful to a point, she has been a dignified and much valued force in our first year of curating an academic programme. We are grateful for her input, which will shape Reuben’s academic events for years to come, as well as her sage consideration of the academic landscape.
The VP for Community Afairs, Kaley Regner, has become irrevocably linked to making Farndon Court, our accommodation block, a true home. Kaley threw herself into her community cause without fear or favour. Her brave determination to speak up for others is something that we know will continue in many future arenas, and we are thankful for her passion, persuasion, and patience.
Nat Duffus, VP for Social Affairs, has shown she is adept at everything she puts her hand to (starting with her very detailed knowledge of butterflies shared over Freshers’ dinner back in October). Reuben students have had the opportunity to try every social experience going, alcohol-free or otherwise, and Nat has provided everything a graduate body could need and more.
Last but not least, Treasurer Peer Nagy, worked with the budgets assigned to him with an inscrutable stoic resilience to all that the Bursar and accountant denied him. Budget cuts, fluctuating figures, and rent re-banding posed no threat to Peer, who is remaining on the committee for the next year – long may he be the GCR’s very treasured treasurer.
Our Graduate Executive Committee are, although individually brilliant, far more than the sum of their parts. Together they have made Reuben’s first year truly amazing, and we are amazed by their building of community, dedication, and resilience. We look forward to seeing how the incoming Exec build on their achievements over the next year.
