Telethon 2011

Our annual Telethon took over a two-week period, from 17th September to 2nd October 2011.  A team of 16 current students called alumni to catch up on their news and to fundraise for the Catz|fivezero Campaign. Alumni often enjoy talking to current students and being kept informed of developments at St Catherine’s, and in turn, our students are eager to hear about what College life was like before they matriculated. Contacting over 2,000 alumni, we were delighted that many were able to enjoy this opportunity to discuss St Catherine’s past, present and future and to donate to the College. Below is a short introduction from each of our student callers, telling us about their studies, interests and motivations for taking part in the 2011 Telethon.

If you have any questions about the Telethon, please contact our Development Officer, Milos Martinov on +44 (0)1865 271705 or by e-mail. To give to St Catherine’s online, please click here.

Daniel Owen | Law, Second Year

I chose Catz because of its stunning architecture and the sense of community that comes from having all years living in College. Outside my studies, my passion is music. I play bass in bands around Oxford and have taken full advantage of the musical facilities and events that Catz provides. In the future, I would like to work in the field of international law and travel around the world.

Ed Seabright | Human Sciences, Second Year

Catz is the most stimulating, friendly and dynamic place I could have hoped to study in. This Telethon is a way for me to spend yet more time here, and I am very excited. I am looking forward to fundraising, as I believe this is one of the best ways in which I can help to ensure that future students have the same fantastic experience at the College that I have had. I am a keen traveller, and I hope to pursue studies which would allow me to embark on humanitarian operations abroad.

Gabbie Hoctor| Geography, Third Year

I have loved every minute of my time at Catz. It is probably the only Oxford college where I could ever feel fully at home – I love its friendliness, openness and diversity. This is my second time working on the Telethon; I enjoyed it so much last year, as it gave me an opportunity to hear about alumni’s experiences at Catz and to fundraise for the College. I feel that fundraising is fundamental to the future of Catz, helping to maintain our already high academic standards. I have played netball for the College for the past two years and have had the opportunity to be Head of Marketing for the Catz Ball we had in February this year, which was very exciting to be a part of!

Helena Horsburgh | German & Linguistics, Second Year

I was attracted to Catz by its modern, relaxed feel – I'm so lucky to have chosen the best College in Oxford. I applied to work on the Telethon as I wanted to share my experiences of the College and, of course, find out what Catz means to other people. I am also keen to fundraise, so that the College can maintain its high standards and continue supporting students in a wide range of endeavours. In the future, I hope to use my language skills and work as a translator for the United Nations or the European Union.

Henry Banks | Physics, Second Year

I chose Catz because I wanted a modern college and because I thought it was close to my department; this turned out to be the most fortunate map reading error of my life and I've loved the College ever since. I wanted to work on this year’s Telethon because of the great experience I've had at Catz – I'd love for others to have the same opportunities that I’ve had and fundraising for the College can help to ensure that. My plans for the future are rather uncertain; but I'm interested in research and teaching.

Inge Hertzog | Geography, Second Year

I’m a Geographer at Catz, and I am looking forward to spending my next year in the recently completed second-year accommodation. I hope that the collective fundraising effort of the Telethon will contribute towards helping the College to maintain the high standards of its facilities. I spend much of my free time rowing in the Women’s First IIV. Although it has been a demanding commitment, I have found it to be enormously rewarding and Summer Eights was definitely one of the highlights of my first year. After completing my Geography degree I intend to pursue my interest in resource management, perhaps from the angle of Environmental Law.

Joanna Harrall | Geography, Second Year

I am currently in my second year, reading Geography. I am proud to be a member of Catz and have benefitted greatly from the wealth of opportunities available, both academic and extra-curricular. Giving future generations of Catz students access to the opportunities I have enjoyed has motivated me to join the Telethon team. In my spare time, I enjoy rowing, running and drawing.

Laura McLaren | Medicine, Third Year

My time at Catz has been amazing, largely thanks to the College’s friendly community atmosphere. I play in the University Badminton squad and I have rowed for the College in Summer Eights. I applied to work on the Telethon because I was interested to hear about other people’s experiences of Catz in the past and to contribute to Catz’s progress as a leading academic institution.

Lucy Eldridge | Human Sciences, Second Year

I chose Catz because of its size; applying to the largest undergraduate college promised an exciting social life and a strong support network. I am really looking forward to sharing memories with alumni, as well as helping to fundraise so that Catz can continue to thrive. I was recently elected President of a sci-fi society and enjoy creative writing when I’m not working on my course. I don’t currently have any career plans, but I hope I may be inspired by the people I talk to in the Telethon!

Maria Perevedentseva | Music, Second Year

I chose Catz because of its diversity and progressive attitude, and I have not been let down! I was very interested in working on this year's Telethon because I wanted to find out more about Catz's history and the people who shaped it. The College's fundraising efforts are also very important to me, especially in light of the current government cuts to Higher Education. I believe that bright students should be offered the best education – no matter what economic background they come from. I am a pianist and I am starting a classical radio show on the student radio station from October. After my degree, I plan to stay in education and become a critical writer on music.

May Anderson | English, Second Year

I wanted to get involved with the Telethon because I've really enjoyed my first year here and I am keen to help make the student experience even better. I've spent a lot of my time at Oxford reviewing plays and I'm hugely interested in theatre and journalism, so it would be great to talk to people with similar experiences who have made the transition into the working world. I am also really looking forward to hearing about what it's been like to attend Catz in the past!

Natalie Fernandes | Law, Second Year

I am part of the Oxford Law Society and currently Mistress of Moots. I am taking part in this Campaign because of the genuine love I have for Catz – particularly the relaxed and friendly atmosphere coupled with a very strong feeling of community. This campaign is, for me, therefore about building upon what Catz has already achieved and ensuring that future generations of students get to enjoy it to the extent that I have. I’m really looking forward to the next two years here and watching the College develop into an even better place than it already is!

Natalya Zeman | Music, Second Year

I applied to work for the Telethon because I thought it might be fun to talk to interesting alumni and find out what people have been up to since leaving Catz, as well as to help current and future students by fundraising for the Catz|fivezero Campaign. Music, macaroons and film are probably three of my favourite things. At the moment, I hope either to go on to study violin in Vienna after I finish at Catz, or to pursue other music-related interests.

Owen Leyshon | Biology, Second Year

I love being at Catz, as it is a very open and welcoming college that offers a lot of opportunities. I play a number of sports for the College, including rugby and cricket. I am extremely interested in ecology and enthusiastic about conservation efforts around the world. I hope to get involved in a wildlife protection charity next summer and possibly pursue this as a career. In the meantime, I'm very excited about taking part in a fundraising campaign that helps to guarantee future Catz students even more incredible opportunities.

Ridhi Kantelal | Materials Science, Third Year

I was attracted to Catz for its modern and global feel, and of course, its friendliness. I wanted to work on this year’s Telethon as a way of giving something back for all the support I have received from College. Fundraising for the College is important because it enables Catz to provide grants and scholarships that could make an immense difference to students who otherwise have limited funding. I enjoy playing basketball, Astronomy and dancing.  I am really interested in astronomy and sustainability, and one day, I wish to combine my interests by working on environmentally friendly materials to be used at the European Space Agency.

Selali Fiamanya | Medicine, Second Year

I applied to Oxford from Scotland, and I chose Catz due to its open, friendly and unintimidating atmosphere. It's a second home to me now, and I'd love to find out more about what its alumni have been up to once they left its glassy-windowed walls. I'm keen to fundraise as I want to help maintain the social, educational and structural features which make St Catherine's the unique place we know and love. I sing with the all-male a capella group Out of the Blue and I also acted in a Catz open air play last term.