The Magazine for the University of Kent

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KENT Editorial 2 Editorial Contents This year has seen Kent consolidate its position as one of the UK’s most dynamic universities, with students once again voting it the number one university in London and the south-east in the 2008 National Student Survey. The Guardian also ranked Kent among the UK’s top thirty universities in its annual Higher Education League Tables, representing a rise of 18 places since 2007. We hope this issue of KENT will give you some idea of what makes Kent such a great university – its research and enterprise activities, the achievements of both its students and staff, as well as the major contribution made by its alumni. As you will see, this issue has a philanthropic focus, and we have an interview with Dr Anthony Medhurst, the new Head of Development; an article on the launch of a new £2.2million Centre for Charitable Giving and Philanthropy and some details abut the new £200m government scheme to match the funding English universities raise in endowments. We would also like to thank postgraduate student and lecturer Peter McMaster and artist George Dannatt for kindly giving us the go-ahead to use the painting depicted on the front cover. As always, please get in touch if you have any comments or feedback on this issue of Kent – we are always keen to hear from as many people as possible. Also, keep an eye on the alumni website www.kent.ac.uk/ alumni – we are planning some exciting new developments over the next few months. Posie Bogan Fiona Jones Editors Front Cover The front cover of Kent Autumn 08 shows a print by George Dannatt, donated to Kent Print Collection by Peter McMasters. The Collection has been developed as part of the Print Collecting and Curating module, and is run by Dr Ben Thomas, Head of History & Philosophy of Art, and offered as part of the History & Philosophy of Art degree. The module provides a practice-based approach to teaching art history, transforming the student experience by creating the opportunity to gain essential practical experience to enhance career opportunities in the art world to students from a wider range of social backgrounds. Born in London in 1915, George Dannatt combined a successful career as a surveyor with a reputation as a successful music critic, he also wrote for 12 years for the London News Chronicle. He did not begin painting seriously until 1956 and was greatly inspired by Russian Constructivism, although he was closely allied to the St Ives School. His first public exhibition was in 1970 at the Penwith Galleries, St Ives, since when he has had numerous exhibitions in England and abroad. Special thanks to: Chris Lancaster and Lesley Farr in the University Design & Print Centre; David Clark R82; Karen Bayfield; Kent Publications Team; Photographs by: Robert Berry, Spencer Scott, Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Contact us: Communications & Development, The Registry, University of Kent, Canterbury, CT2 7NZ kentmagazine@kent.ac.uk www.kent.ac.uk/alumni 3. Dr Anthony Medhurst 4. News 7. Understanding Philanthropy 9. Business Links 10. New Frontiers 12. Fundraising News 14. Kent Union 15. A Question of Sport 18. Questionaire 20. Who’s What Where 23. In Memoriam 24. Events
KENT Interview 3 Dr Anthony Medhurst Making a difference Earlier this year, Kent was lucky enough to be able to welcome Dr Anthony Medhurst as its new Head of Development. Anthony, who will report to Karen Doyle, Director of Communications and Development, has a longstanding association with the charity sector, and brings with him a wealth of experience. Before coming to Kent he was previously Director of Marketing and Income Generation for Havens Hospices in Essex. Anthony initially studied Ancient History at Sheffield but an overwhelming interest in the First and Second World Wars, and particularly in the Battle of Britain, led him to an MPhil at St Andrews on War and Society and Twentieth Century Britain 1900-1945. He went on to do a PhD at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, on publicity and public relations during the Second World War, looking at images of war and the role of the Royal Air Force in creating those images. He subsequently became a Research Fellow for the RAF. KENT finds out more about him. Were you tempted to go into academia? To be honest I was and, once I had finished my PhD, I was given the opportunity to lecture in America. However, while writing up my PhD, I was also volunteering for a local charity and enjoyed it so much that when they asked me to go and work for them I accepted. I think those of us who work in the fundraising sector are very lucky as we have the opportunity to actually see the outcome of the work that we do. I find that immensely satisfying – it gives you a tremendous ‘feel-good factor’. I think that’s why we’re very lucky in the development work we do here at Kent, because the difference that we can make to people’s lives is astonishing. For example, Sam Godfrey, the current Alumni Postgraduate Scholar has been given the opportunity to carry out potentially life-saving research into Leukaemia. By giving him the scholarship we could have a real impact on the treatment of the disease and, in turn, on the lives of those who are suffering from it. That’s what makes the sort of work we do so important. What attracted you to the university sector? I really enjoyed my time at university, both the intellectual freedom and the social environment. It’s a really satisfying place to be and I always had an ambition to return. What does it mean to you to be working at Kent? Apart from being able to walk to work? Something I haven’t done in a very long time! Well, I’ve always enjoyed being part of a community and it’s great to know that you’re making a difference within the area in which you live. I was raised in Kent so I’m a local lad as it were and, knowing about some of the really exciting plans that the University has, I really wanted to be part of it. It’s great to be part of an organisation which is still growing and that you can play a part in shaping. I think Kent is at a point where it is very much looking ahead and has some really ambitious plans and to be part of that is fantastic. The local element is very important to me. What do you think universities can learn from charities? Charities can be very poorly resourced and often operate by the seat of their pants and we’re fortunate that we’re not in that position. One thing that they can show us is the importance of focussing our efforts, being accountable and making the very most of funds raised to help those who really need it. And it is this that we should concentrate on at Kent – giving the best students the best start that we can, adding value and being a source of excellence. What are you most looking forward to about your new role? What I really enjoy is working with people, and in my first few weeks I’ve met so many staff from a wide variety of backgrounds and a wealth of experience in many areas. I’m genuinely excited to be joining Kent as it approaches its 50th anniversary in 2015 and very much looking forward to meeting and getting to know the University’s alumni and friends all over the world. What were your first impressions of the University? I’ve been really impressed by people’s friendliness, and by their professionalism. There are a great many people who are committed to the University and have some really exciting ideas. Above all, I’ve been made to feel extremely welcome. Where would you like fundraising at Kent to be in five years time? I would like to see raised awareness across the whole University community about the difference that fundraising can make to research, teaching and most of all to the students. And although I generally take a long-term view, I’d expect things to look very different. I think a lot of people forget that many of our universities were built by contributions from individuals and charitable trusts – fundraising isn’t a new thing. The power of benefaction can be amazing, we’ve seen it historically in the charitable sector and I would love to see that happen at Kent.
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