Somerville and Liz
Last year we all lost a beloved friend in Liz Cooke. From her arrival at Somerville as an undergraduate reading History in 1964, to her many years working as Secretary of the Somerville Association, Liz was unwaveringly committed to her College.
Her role in alumni relations was transformational, not just for our College but for the Collegiate University. We owe her a debt of gratitude impossible to repay, and she will be hugely missed.
To commemorate Liz's remarkable contributions and her lifelong love of History, we are embarking on a special initiative to endow a History Fellowship in her name.
History at Somerville
Somerville has one of the largest and most vibrant communities of historians in Oxford, admitting 12-14 undergraduates a year. This critical mass of historians - spanning freshers to professional scholars with decades of research experience - enables us to talk and think creatively about the past.
Somerville itself is steeped in history. Our alumni have become major figures in 20th-century Britain and the world beyond, alumni including Indira Gandhi, Margaret Thatcher, Dorothy Hodgkin, Vera Brittain and Shirley Williams.
How you can help
The humanities remain underfunded at Somerville and across the University more widely. Securing a History Fellowship in perpetuity will not only secure the Fellowship itself, but alleviate funds to offer wider support for the humanities.
Endowing a Fellowship costs around one million pounds. Thanks to a number of extraordinary gifts from over 200 supporters from our mailing campaign, we've raised over £790,000.
With £200,000 still to raise, we are hoping to Crowdfund the next £50,000. With your help, we can ensure that history teaching and scholarship continues to thrive at Somerville.
Giving from the U.S? Donate here. Please add 'Liz Cooke Fellowship' in the 'Further Information' section.