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COLLEGE LIFECatz fivezero, 1962-2012The Master introduces plans to mark the fiftiethanniversary of the foundation of the CollegeIn 2012, we will celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of ourfoundation as a college. This milestone in the history ofSt Catherine’s provides us with a wonderful opportunity tomark the considerable achievements of Oxford’s youngest– and largest – undergraduate and graduate college, andwe hope that all members of our extended Collegecommunity will be able to join us at one of the manyevents we are planning to mark this important anniversary.Earlier this year I posed the question, ‘Who, now, couldimagine Oxford without Catz?’ The College is a uniqueinstitution – the living embodiment of a vision that hasgrown and developed over time to meet the needs ofnew generations of students. Many changes have takenplace since the matriculation of the first thirty membersof the newly established St Catherine’s College in 1962,but what has remained constant is our commitment tostimulating excellence in teaching and research. We areproud of the role that we have played in catalysing thepotential of generations of students from a wide varietyof backgrounds, and we follow their post-Catzachievements with no small amount of pleasure.St Catherine’s today is thriving: in our community,thinking flourishes and the talents and ambitions of allour members are fostered and encouraged at every turn.The Master speakingof the importance ofsafeguarding the tutorialsystemCatzfivezerosecuring the futureWe are proudof the role thatwe have playedin catalysingthe potentialof generationsof students ...However, as we reflect upon all that we have achievedso far, we are also looking to the opportunities andchallenges that will face us over the next fifty years – andto how best we might prepare ourselves to meet them.In Trinity Term 2008 we launched the Catz|fivezerocampaign, which is an integral part of our preparationsfor the coming anniversary. It seeks to raise in excessof £10 million to fund major investment in fourkey areas: student support, teaching and research,buildings and facilities, and the general endowment.Since its launch at the London Party in the RAF Club,the campaign has been steadily building momentum,and we have already secured over £1.75 million towardsour target. Every donation to the Catz|fivezero campaignreally does make a difference and, on behalf of theCollege, I am deeply grateful for the level of responsethat we have received thus far. Despite the current globaleconomic downturn, alumni and friends continue to offerthe College vital financial support which enables us tobuild upon our past achievements and, crucially, planfor the future. We were delighted with the marvellousresponse we had to the telephone campaign that tookplace in Michaelmas Term – which generated over£250,000 in gifts and pledges – and are alsoexceptionally grateful to have received generousST CATHERINE’S COLLEGE 2008/17