In the years between Alumni Weekends, the North American Office hosts a series of smaller Oxford events around North America. This year, Oxford alumni and their guests took part in engaging social and academic events throughout Boston, Toronto and Washington, DC. The Vice-Chancellor, Louise Richardson, hosted two drinks receptions and a half-day academic program. Alumni and friends were fascinated by the academic discussions and greatly enjoyed conversing with Oxonians from around the country.
The first destination of the 2019 North American Road Show was Boston, MA where Professor Richardson held a drinks reception at the Omni Parker House. We welcomed almost 200 Oxonians and friends for drinks and canapés. The Vice-Chancellor made brief remarks about the state of the University, its recent accomplishments and Brexit. Attendees enjoyed mingling with fellow alumni and friends old and new.
Following a quick flight up the coast, Professor Richardson hosted a drinks reception in Toronto on 11 April. The group of nearly 200 Oxford alumni and friends gathered to share an evening drink at the University Club of Toronto. The Vice-Chancellor’s remarks were well-received; the crowd asked many thoughtful questions about the University and its role in the current state of world affairs.
Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer (Marshall Scholar, Magdalen College, 1959) and Professor Sheryll Cashin (St Catherine’s College, 1984), Carmack Waterhouse Professor of Law, Civil Rights and Social Justice, Georgetown University
After our brief time in Canada, it was time to head down to Washington, DC for our half-day academic program on 13 April at the Willard InterContinental. We welcomed nearly 350 guests for an afternoon that included lunch, an Oxford conversation and an academic lecture.
The academic program started with an Oxford conversation between Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer and Professor Sheryll Cashin. Justice Breyer spoke fondly about his time at Oxford, how it helped shape his career, and about his Supreme Court colleagues.
The second part of the academic program included a lecture, Pain in the Brain: Neuroimaging Insights Into Human Pain, Suffering and Relief, by Oxford Professor Irene Tracey. She walked the audience through her team’s latest studies and her hopes for future breakthroughs in pain relief.
Our April tour was a great success, and we look forward to seeing all of you again at future Oxford events in North America! Please be sure to keep an eye out for more news about our 2020 Alumni Weekend in New York, and we hope to see you there.
Keep the conversation going and connect with our speakers on Twitter!
Sheryll Cashin: @SheryllCashin
Irene Tracey: @NDCNOxford
Banner photo features Professor Irene Tracey (Merton College, 1985) Head, Nuffield Department Clinical Neurosciences, Nuffield Chair in Anaesthetic Sciences & Warden-elect, Merton College.