The Somerville Association President’s Report 2023-2024 Honouring the life and legacy of Liz Cooke, Secretary of the Somerville Association 1990 – 2024, at her memorial in April 2024, remains one of the most important occasions of the past year. Both Hall and Chapel were at full capacity as Somervillians across years, subjects and geographies came together, along with Liz’s family, to remember and give thanks for Liz’s enormous contributions towards building and growing the Somerville Association. Alongside the outstanding and deeply moving formal tributes, each of the many attendees animatedly shared their personal recollections in more intimate conversations. I was awestruck by the breadth and depth of Liz’s Somerville connections. It is befitting that the legacy of this exceptional woman will include a History Fellowship at Somerville in her name in perpetuity. The annual Commemoration Service, remembering Somervillians who have recently died, is a special duty that I have the honour of fulfilling as President of the Somerville Association. This event truly embodies the spirit of ‘once a Somervillian, always a Somervillian’ and is a powerful reminder of how fortunate we are to belong to a lifelong community that shares values of excellence, tolerance and inclusivity. The 2024 Commemoration Service was particularly poignant as we remembered and gave thanks for the life of Elizabeth Cooke (History, 1964) along with forty-eight other Somervillians. DR NERMEEN VARAWALLA Jackie Watson (English, 1986), Somerville’s newly appointed Alumni Relations Officer, delivered an address that expertly as they are a fun and effective way of continuing to benefit provided an insight into the lives of each of these extraordinary from being a member of our amazing community. I remind women. Jackie’s experience in higher education, connections you of the availability of financial assistance to facilitate with the Somerville community and tremendous enthusiasm event attendance and advise you to enquire at the time of have already made her a huge asset for the Somerville event booking should you wish to utilise this. On the 21st Association and I remain grateful for her support, friendship September 2024, coinciding with the University’s Meeting of and guidance. Minds weekend, we will celebrate 30 years of admitting men Thanks to the dedication and enthusiasm of Lisa Gygax, Joint at our now traditional Somerville Association Formal Dinner in Secretary, our committee members, the Chairs of the various Hall, followed by a bop. SA Groups and their respective committees, the Somerville None of this would be possible without the generosity and Association remains in good health and fine spirit. Our events support of our college, particularly our outstanding Principal, that encompass a wide range of themes continue to attract Baroness Jan Royall, our Fellows, and Sara Kalim and her Somervillians across generations and subjects. Through wonderful alumni relations team. On your behalf I offer each events and numerous communication channels we ensure that of them our warmest appreciation. alumni remain engaged and informed of the many facets of life at Somerville. I warmly encourage you to attend events DR NERMEEN VARAWALLA (1989, Clinical Medicine) Photo by John Cairns 23