Telethon 2025: Meet the Callers!
Our 2025 Telethon is launching soon! In the evenings and weekends between 15th – 29th September, our students will be catching up with alumni all over the world, updating them on Catz news, and fundraising for our RAAC campaign to reopen our original buildings and secure our place in Oxford as an unique institution: modern, unpretentious and outward-looking.
We asked a few of our callers what they love about Catz and why they’re excited for the 2025 Telethon:
Emily Cunningham (2022, Modern Languages)
Why I hope to be able to give back to Catz when I’m an alum:
I would love to be able to give back to Catz as an Alumna to help other students like me who benefit from bursaries and hardship funds to make their studies possible. It is really important to me that Oxford is as accessible as possible regardless of your background, I would absolutely not be able to have the experience I have had if I had not had help from the College. Constantly being worried about finances makes studying and enjoying myself at Oxford very hard, so knowing the College is able to support me makes all the difference. I also experienced all the uproar that was finding RAAC in the College and would not wish that on future students!
What I enjoy most about Catz:
My favourite thing about Catz is the people. It really has an atmosphere that I have never found elsewhere, everyone is so friendly and eager to chat or give advice or a hand wherever needed. As the largest undergrad college in Oxford you would expect it to be hard to know everyone or recognise many faces, but even someone like me who is not super social can recognise everyone and easily have a chat while waiting for laundry or collecting a package!
Three words to describe Catz:
Vibrant. Caring. Energetic. These three words best describe Catz in my opinion, with vibrant being the most important one. The college is just so full of energy and life, constantly moving and full of people, and the social scene is always ready with an event that anyone would love. Everyone is incredibly empathetic and ready to leap into action for one another, whether it is fundraising for charities, helping someone move rooms or just sharing a packet of crisps!
Sami Jalil (2022, Music)
Why I hope to be able to give back to Catz when I’m an alum:
I want to contribute to maintaining an environment that has helped me grow massively as a person and feel represented regardless of my background. It’s so important that we not only thrive on the support Catz gives us, but return it when we are able so that future generations can continue to grow into wonderfully talented and kind people.
What I enjoy most about Catz:
Despite it being a large college, we are a close-knit community where you can turn any corner and find a friendly face. I schedule extra commute time to inevitably stop for a chat because Catz attracts the most warm-hearted and interesting people!
Three words to describe Catz:
Social, diverse and dedicated.
Anwen Gluyas (2022, Psychology & Linguistics)
Why I hope to be able to give back to Catz when I’m an alum:
I want to make sure that Catz can keep supporting Catz students to make sure that every single person is able to get the most out of their time here
What I enjoy most about Catz:
I absolutely love how friendly and supportive the Catz community is, it feels like one big family.
Three words to describe Catz:
Friendly, open and charming.
Oliver Biswas (2023, PPE)
Why I hope to be able to give back to Catz when I’m an alum:
The chance to study at Oxford is an immense privilege – and one for which I am incredibly grateful. I hope to be able to give back to Catz in order to support its fantastic outreach efforts. They play a critical role in shaping the aspirations of young people from under-represented backgrounds, and providing them with the confidence and skills to apply to world-class universities like ours. Scholarships and grants are also instrumental in ensuring every Catz student is able to enjoy the unique and transformative experiences they deserve. The Catz community is always thriving, and I am sure that my donations would be well spent across drama, music, arts, sports, societies and academic pursuits.
What I enjoy most about Catz:
Outside of my essays being meticulously deconstructed by my tutors, the most enjoyable aspect of life at Catz is the strong sense of community. Despite the inconveniences that RAAC has caused, we have continued to support each other through the JCR and find new ways to have fun. Highlights include the first-ever Diwali celebrations, a pitch-perfect production of Legally Blonde, Night Fury Get Down’s performance at the Catz Gala and the Hot Mess Project – all made possible by the creativity and commitment of my talented peers.
Three words to describe Catz:
Caring, Open, Quirky.