My family and St Antony’s
Dr Olga Illera Correal, MSc Latin American Studies (2006)
Juan and I married in 2003, and two years later he was admitted to pursue his DPhil in Politics at St Antony’s. That is how we moved to Oxford, full of dreams, ready to begin a new life together. I worked at the Bodleian Library and was later admitted to the MSc in Latin American Studies. After facing some struggles trying to conceive, we finally received the most wonderful news—we were expecting our first child.
Our supervisor, Malcolm Deas, cared deeply for us. He worried because we worked and studied so far from home and without the comfort of our families. His only advice was: ‘Go slowly, don’t stress about it’. In truth, our friends at LAC and St Antony’s became our family. They shared meals, kept track of my ever-growing baby bump, and gifted us hand-knitted hats, gloves, and blankets made with love by ‘grandmothers’ who were not our own. That feeling of being cared for by people from places as distant as Japan—even by those I had never met—filled my days with gratitude and joy.
Our baby was with us through it all: exams, dissertations, and late nights of research. His lullabies were the findings of his father’s thesis—every spouse of a DPhil student knows how that sounds. I graduated more than seven months pregnant, and soon after, Marco was born in Oxford, where he spent the first year of his life.
For us, St Antony’s is not just a college—it is the place where a couple became a family, where strangers turned into friends, and friends became aunts and uncles to our son. It is the place where our smiles were multiplied and where our story found its roots in warmth, kindness, and belonging. Martina was born a few years later, making our lives just better (we considered calling her Antonia), but it’s another history. Happy anniversary St Antony’s!
Founding of Oxford University Georgian Society
George Gigauri (MSc Forced Migration, 2002)
This photo recalls the founding of the Oxford University Georgian Society, created to bring together students and friends of Georgia within Oxford’s community. The gathering built on the rich foundations laid by Sir Oliver Wardrop and the deep historical ties between Oxford and Georgia. In that spirit, the evening combined formality and warmth, black tie, lively conversation, and a shared vision of celebrating Georgia’s heritage while fostering dialogue with Oxford traditions. Looking back, I remember the pride and optimism of those first steps, confident that the Society would carry forward a distinguished legacy of cultural friendship.
St Antony’s Men’s 2002-2003 University Basketball Champions
Michael Petrou (DPhil Modern History, 2002)
I fondly recall the sense of accomplishment that resulted from our winning season, and, more than that, how the team bonded in friendship. The championship game was a thriller. Martin Langsam scored a three-pointer to tie it with seconds left. We carried him around on our shoulders after we won in overtime.
Some great photos from 2002-04
Vivek Krishnamurthy (MPhil International Relations, 2002)
Photo 1: Bilal Siddiqui and Vivek Krishnamurthy at matriculation, Michaelmas Term 2002
Photo 2: Rutha Astravas and Paul Petzschmann at the College Ball, 2003
Photo 3: Waldimar Pelser and John Kuhn at matriculation, Michaelmas Term 2002
Photo 4: Waldimar Pelser and Vivek Krishnamurthy at Halloqueen, 2002
Photo 5: Sonia Sodha, Vivek Krishnamurthy, and Joy Miller (Oliver) at a wine tasting at the Ashmolean, 2004
Photo 6: Eusebius McKaiser at The Turf celebrating with 2004 college graduates
An Antonian family story
Ted Alexander (MPhil Economics, 2005)
In my first year at St Antony’s in 2005 I thought it couldn’t get any better. New friends, bops, college cricket, what a wonderful time!
Then in 2006 Mira started at St Antony’s which led to getting married in Oxford and now we’re in Sydney with four kids – it couldn’t have happened without St Antony’s! Such fond memories of all the people there, best wishes to all.
Being an Alistair Horne Visiting Fellow
Victoria Schofield (Alistair Horne Visiting Fellow, 2004)
In 2004, when Sir Marrack Goulding was Warden, I had the privilege of being selected as an Alistair Horne Visiting Fellow at St Antony’s. My objective was to write the life of Sir John Wheeler Bennett, who had been invited by the College’s first Warden, Sir William Deakin, to be one of St Antony’s Founding Fellows. I spent a fascinating year studying in the archives of St Antony’s wonderful library. My research also gave me the opportunity to understand the history of this unique graduate college in the heart of Oxford, as well as enjoying some excellent dinners! Above all it introduced me to Sir Alistair Horne himself. It was yet another privilege when, following publication of my biography, Witness to History: the life of Sir John Wheeler Bennett, at the invitation of Margaret MacMillan, Sir Marrack’s successor, a launch was held at St Antony’s, which Sir Alistair attended. As a historian, in addition to the further knowledge one acquires, the connections one makes during one’s research are always the most rewarding. Although I only spent one year at St Antony’s, the honour of having been an Alistair Horne Visiting Fellow remains one of my most memorable achievements. Happy 75th Anniversary, St Antony’s.
Friendships for a lifetime
Jose Deustua-Rossel (MSc Economics for Development, 2007)
Matriculation Day, 2007. St Antony’s was not only the place where we began our studies, but also where we built friendships that have lasted a lifetime. Happy 75th Anniversary, St Antony’s College!
Ricardo Borges de Castro (DPhil International Relations, 2006)
The first photo is the 2007 JRC (now GCR) Executive, elected at the end of 2006.
Top row: Milos Damnjanovic, Farid Boussaid, Seth Anziska. Bottom row: Lindsey Richardson; Sara-Christine Gemson; me; Myrto Stasinopoulou.
Second photo is of former European Commission President José Manuel Barroso’s visit to the college in 2007.
2005-2006 at St Antony’s
John James (MSc African Studies, 2005)
Click on each image to expand it.
Newsletter highlights
Click on the images to expand them and see more information. All the images and captions are taken from editions of the St Antony’s College Newsletter!
‘…fulfilled the fantasy of every Antonian…’
‘St Antony’s 2009 Summer Ball, ‘Venetian Masquerade’, was held on 6 June, where 450 guests donning masks arrived at the Hilda Besse greeted with a champagne reception. The dinner was accompanied by a delicate harpist and the opening act was a spirited Latin dance performance by the Oxford’s University Dancesport Club. The first floor lounge hosted a vibrant Cuban band until the early hours, while the upstairs hall featured two famous London DJs. The Hilda Besse was transformed into a modern Italian style lounge with a flowing chocolate fountain and live portrait sketching to keep guests busy. A shisha den outside provided a perfect escape for conversations and good company.
For the first time ever, the famed Ali’s Kebab van fulfilled the fantasy of every Antonian by providing midnight snacks on site including favourites such as chicken, chips and cheese. Following the Ball, £100 was donated to the Ball’s charity of choice, the Panzi Hospital in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Ball committee was chaired by Zorana Alimpic, who was supported by Dana Macdonald, Dawn Berry, Katie Dran, Karlin Younger, Carmen Navarro, Andrew Littlejohn, Adrianne Montgobert, Milos Damnjanovic, Chana Hoffmitz and Diarmuid Torney.’
From the St Antony’s College newsletter, winter 2009
Welcome Week 2006
Welcome Week is an important part of the academic year here at St Antony’s. The last week before the start of Michaelmas Term, it’s the time when new students are welcomed to the College and set up with everything they need to survive life in St Antony’s and Oxford.
In 2006, the Junior Common Room (JCR) Executive drew up the Freshers’ Guide for 2006-7. This gives a fantastic snapshot of life in college in the 2000s. Designed to help new students get used to their new home, it included helpful information about the College and about Oxford in general. The Guide also included a schedule for the Week of Welcome 2006, or ‘WOW 2006!’, which students were encouraged to pin up in their room.
Welcome Week 2006 (from 1 to 8 October) offered a range of activities, both academic, administrative and social. The JCR had organised orientation events (walks around Oxford and trips further afield such as Bicester Village) and social events such as the first bop of term. Ice-breakers were held such as karaoke and music nights, and drinks in the Late Bar, named at that time ‘The Silver Fox’.
The Porter’s Lodge, pigeon holes and College administrative staff were all based in the Old Main Building (the Gateway buildings had yet to be built).
Further afield, new students were introduced to the neighbouring area around College. The shops and eateries of North Parade were listed and evaluated. Restaurants included ‘Chez Gaston’ and sandwich shops ‘Le Parisien’ and ‘Bon Appetit’ were critiqued. Local pubs were also listed with recommendations for the Royal Oak and the Rose & Crown.
Image: Week of Welcome activities schedule, 2006
The photograph at the top of this page has been reproduced by kind permission of Gillman & Soame photographers and can be ordered online here.