Every gift makes a difference
The St Peter's Telethon is your opportunity to reconnect with your College, chat with current students and find out how you can take part in building the future of St Peter's. This year, you can also get involved online: find out more below...
The 2025 Telethon: what's new?
We are very excited to be connecting with alumni during our annual Spring Telethon. We love hearing about your experiences, gaining valuable advice, updating you on current news and events, and inviting your support for the College. We would really love to speak with you! Calling will take place between 16 and 30 March, excluding Fridays.
Please click here to schedule a call.
This year, we are excited to expand our traditional Telethon by offering updates on our donation page as regularly as possible, often in real time. For those whom we can’t reach on the phone, it provides another chance to join in and take part.
The Master's message to alumni ahead of the Telethon
“A big thank you, in anticipation, to all old members who generously take a call from our students as part of this year’s telethon. Our student callers are a fine lot – interesting, thoughtful and full of good humour. And, alongside supplying you with some updates on College, I know that they will be interested in you, in your own student days, and in things that matter to you now.
I hope you have an interesting conversation with them. And if you are able to make a donation to College, of whatever size, as part of this, that would be wonderful. They, and we all, will be really grateful for what this makes possible. And if you’re not able to, the cross-generational conversation between you and them, then and now, is still valuable for ongoing community connectivity.
Thank you, therefore, to all of you who feel able to take the call and chat with a St Peter’s student.”
- Judith Buchanan, Master
Meet the students
Meet our student callers for the 2025 Telethon!
Arthur (Biology, 3rd Year)
Fun fact about you?
I can play the piano.
Activities and hobbies?
I play for the college football team and co-ran the bar last year.
Why does alumni support matter?
The St Peter’s alumni network represents a wealth of knowledge and experience, in both personal and professional areas. Current students can benefit massively from this experience if there is a supportive alumni network. Money given to the college by alumni can go towards funding for trips, such as the travel fund and language exchanges. In my subject, Biology, we do field courses which require funding, and these allow us to observe what we learn in lectures in natural ecosystems, which is invaluable. Some students would not be able to have these experiences without funding.
Cameron (Music, 1st Year)
Fun fact about you?
I have been a Morris Dancer for eight years!
Activities and hobbies?
My favourite hobby is acting. I love comedies and tragedies, and everything in between! I also enjoy playing badminton and board games.
Why does alumni support matter?
In a world where the economy is continuously uncertain, which brings more potential financial concerns than is expected, the college may require this additional support. The increase in travel costs are quite significant for foreign students, and if the college is able to continue to reimburse these needs then it requires this stability; not to mention, all of the brilliant academic funding that this college can provide, will be sorely missed by all its students if it were to disappear.
Clara (English, 1st Year)
Fun fact about you?
For better or for worse, I could probably recite the Harry Potter films word for word.
Activities and hobbies?
When I’m not trying to get through my reading list, I enjoy attending art or music events around the university with friends. I’m really excited about getting involved in student theatre - which Oxford is overflowing with! I’m currently doing some set design marketing for different plays. As well as the odd spontaneous run around Christchurch meadows, I have kept going with rowing after starting in Michaelmas and really love getting out on the water when we can, despite the early starts!
Why does alumni support matter?
As a smaller college with less funds than other more well-known colleges, alumni support is essential. This is a fact that all students at St Peter’s are very aware of as many of the opportunities that I and my friends in college have benefitted from are dependent on alumni donations. They not only allow the current community to thrive here but also enable the outreach and access programmes which are essential in making students from all socioeconomic backgrounds realise that St Peter's could be the place for them. This is crucial to ensuring that St Peter’s continues to foster the diverse and welcoming environment that it is well known for!
Efe (History and Economics, 2nd Year)
Fun fact about you?
I play nationally and internationally for the England Men’s Blind Football team and West Bromwich Albion Blind Football Club.
Activities and hobbies?
I love listening to music, watching comedy, going to the gym and playing chess.
Why does alumni support matter?
The support of the alumni and continuing a close relationship with them is highly important. This has been shown in the financial assistance with the new buildings, along with grants that help in smaller cases such as funding college rugby kits. Furthermore, the chance for students to talk to alumni is a valuable learning opportunity, both for students to ask questions about future career paths and how to navigate their degrees.
EJ (MSt US History, 1st Year)
Fun fact about you?
As a baby, I was on one of the last Concorde flights before the planes were grounded.
Activities and hobbies?
Most of my time outside of studying is dedicated to archery where I represent the university in competitions. I am also the secretary and LGBT+ representative in my MCR.
Why does alumni support matter?
Alumni support matters at St Peter's because it is part of a legacy of other alumni whose support has facilitated the experience of St Peter's students over the years. It allows current students to make the most of their time at the university and hopefully create a new generation of alumni who will want to give their support in turn in future years.
Isabella (Archaeology and Anthropology, 3rd Year)
Fun fact about you?
I lived in 8 different countries growing up, so my British accent has the occasional American twang.
Activities and hobbies?
I really enjoy theatre and music, so combining the two in the form of a musical is my thing. I also love to travel, which helps explain the choice of degree! Otherwise, I'm a sucker for some live music, a good book and a night on the town.
Why does alumni support matter?
Alumni support helps current students make the most of their time at university, regardless of their financial background. The travel fund, society donations and funding to help build accommodation have elevated the student experience at St Peter's thanks to alumni support. It also shows a testament to St Peter's spirit and community that continues after graduation.
Laila (MSc Anthropology, 1st Year)
Fun fact about you?
This autumn I got really into mushroom foraging and identification. I love the way it has made me feel more in touch with my environment and connected to nature. My favourite mushroom must be the scarlet elf cup!
Activities and hobbies?
I love to travel and explore – next month I am visiting Madrid for the first time and I’m very excited! I also love to dance and listen to music – every summer I try and go to at least one or two festivals. Last year I was lucky enough to get a spot volunteering at Glastonbury and it was one of the best weekends of my life! I also love to surf when I get a chance – it’s a pity Oxford is so far away from the sea. But when I’m in Oxford you’ll find me at the bouldering gym.
Why does alumni support matter?
Alumni support has long helped create a welcoming and inclusive environment, allowing students to excel regardless of their financial background, through initiatives like the student support fund and travel grant. Being at Peter’s is an incredible experience and sustained alumni support ensures this continues being the case. More funding could enhance JCR and MCR resources, expand College activities, and help students pursue their ambitions. In addition, keeping the mutual connections between alumni and current students alive through alumni support maintains the bond alumni has with the college – the importance of which extends far beyond the financial.
Maisie (Physics, 2nd Year)
Fun fact about you?
I can say the alphabet backwards in less than three seconds.
Activities and hobbies?
I am involved in all things drama - I regularly perform in plays and am co-directing/writing this year’s garden play. I also play the tenor sax in a band called Rough Edge. We play at parties and balls (plus the odd wedding) all over Oxford and beyond which is great fun!
Why does alumni support matter?
Alumni support allows St Peter’s to go above and beyond as a college, to truly support every student and help them feel welcome in our community. It also helps to facilitate events and schemes which make applying and living at Oxford more accessible to current and prospective students. These paths are more important than ever to help build a diverse, representative student body, and a college where everyone feels at home.
Rhiana (History and English, 3rd Year)
Fun fact about you?
I have hardly ever been caught not wearing purple.
Activities and hobbies?
In my free time I enjoy reading, writing and chess. I also enjoy actively campaigning and volunteering in several communities.
Why does alumni support matter?
As a small college, alumni support matters to continue the changes made by previous students. Many of us have been inspired by the community created by alumni in the past, whether that be through changes made in the JCR or through the college on a wider level. Thus, Alumni support allows us to continue the legacy and maintain the strong sense of community which can be found in St Peters.
Sofia (History, 1st Year)
Fun fact about you?
I read Paradise Lost and it resonated with me so much that I got a tattoo of Eve eating an apple on my arm.
Activities and hobbies?
I love to travel, I went travelling for four months around Asia last year. This picture of me in the snow was actually taken when I travelled to Prague in January. I am also completely obsessed with fashion. When I have any spare time I like to look at past collections from designers such as Galliano and Elie Saab.
Why does alumni support matter?
I think it is crucial for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. I am fiercely proud of my college and I have absolutely thrived here, but it is not very wealthy college. We rely on alumni support for grants so that students, who do not have all that much money, are able to complete their field work, or are offered book grants. I firmly believe that through alumni support, we can improve the experience of students who have worked incredibly hard to be here but lack the financial support to make full use of their time at Oxford.
Contact us
The St Peter's College Development and Alumni Relations Office is open Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm. Stop by our office on the first floor of Staircase I, or contact us using the details below. We look forward to hearing from you!
Mailing address
Development and Alumni Relations
St Peter's College
New Inn Hall Street
Oxford
OX1 2DL
UK
St Peter’s College, Oxford is a registered charity no 1143166
The St Peter's College Spring 2025 Telethon is here! Click here to get involved.