We are delighted and grateful to have received a donation of £10,000 to our David Wilkinson First Generation Scholarship Fund from Professor Don Erman, University of California. Don was an exchange student at St John’s in 1962-63 John’s from DePauw University in the US. As many of his contemporaries meet for a reunion at St John’s to mark their 60 year anniversary, Don shares photos and memories of their student days together.
“My exchange year at St John’s was a wonderful time and an incredible experience, socially and academically, that has remained a part of me. I had very limited finances so the provision of full accommodations at St John’s was the only way I ever could have experienced a year abroad. I attended courses in the third year honors program in Zoology which was my major at DePauw University and had a wonderful year learning so much, including how to row, play rugby, and tend bar on weekends at the Thinford Inn. When I learnt that the college today is seeking to support students with limited means, I decided to make a donation to support this cause and the next generation of St John’s students.”
Professor Don Erman, University of California
Don’s photos and notes are supplemented below with notes from fellow Johnian, Richard Rhodes.
Don: I had no camera so eventually I asked another St John’s student who I noticed regularly taking photos if he would mind taking pictures of various scenes and students. Except for a few times when I borrowed another camera, he took the photos. Below is the map given to freshers that may show changes from today.
Don: Chapel, new in 1962. Note gulls on roof ridge and snow. This year was exceptionally cold and snowy for the entire winter. We had a great snowball fight in this part of the gardens with defended snow forts (and a few broken windows!)
Richard: The new Chapel (1962-3) was controversial and very much the personal project of Principal Higginbottom. He tried to compel everyone to attend Chapel each morning which was not well received. All students received a letter in the Easter holidays to this effect. The Senior Man of the day (Rod Wells) and I as JCR Secretary were prevailed upon to try to persuade college members to concur. It was only partially successful and there was ensuing Press involvement and Rod and I complied a joint letter to the Press to try to defend the College’s decision!
The harsh winter of 1962-3 meant we played no rugby between December and the Lent Term due to the frozen ground.
Three of St John’s in garden, photographer of most photos shown in middle: Tao Sofoluwe, Trevor Kerry and Don Erman.
Left: John Batten (there were two of this name in College at that time) and Don Erman.
Right: Four of St John’s in garden: Dave Penney, Phil Budd, Don Erman and Richard Rhodes. Student in rugby gear was a university-level athlete in several sports.
Don: Gathering of St John’s in my room of college having a tea break. Because of the extreme cold and below freezing conditions, the college issued an extra ration of coal and some coke for the fireplace in the room. I quickly was taught how to bank a coal fire for the night, just one of many things, large and small, I learned in that year.
Richard: Those in the outside rooms in Cruddas did get an extra coal allowance. I can confirm that at least one student I know horded some of the ‘extra’ supplies in the bottom drawer of the chest of drawers in his room!!!!! The presence of a plentiful supply if coal – and hence a warm room – made that venue into an attractive venue for post lunch/ dinner coffee!!!!
Steve Wrigley (post grad Dip Ed), Don Erman, Dave Penney, Tao Sofoluwe and Richard Brown
Below left: View of river Wear during spring thaw in March 1963 after “ice out”. Looking downstream from Elvet Bridge or Baths Bridge toward playing fields.
Below right: View of town and Cathedral. It looks icy and cold and it was.
Left: View along riparian down to River Wear along the footpath from Prebends Bridge to the Science Labs. Lovely walk full of interesting plants and birds on the way to class.
Middle: River Wear from Prebends Bridge and view of single scull in early morning taking advantage of conditions.
Right: River Wear from Prebends Bridge looking upstream at “classic” view of Cathedral.
Town square where 3 roads converge. Taken during a Saturday street fair, traffic kiosk with constable directing traffic (using closed circuit cameras) shown at right edge of photo as well as Town Hall and Anglican church designed (I was told) by Christopher Wren.
Below left: Inner courtyard on Cathedral grounds just after school was out for the day.
Below right: View from an inner hallway of Cathedral building.
Finally, three of St John’s on garden path down to River Wear (left to right Don Erman, Richard Brown, Clive Cowlard).
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