Once a Johnian shares the stories and journeys of St John’s alumni. Through reflections, interviews, and updates from life after College, this section highlights the many paths Johnians take and the experiences that continue to connect them to John’s. It’s a space for remembering, reconnecting, and celebrating the community beyond graduation.
The Senior Common Room (SCR) brings together staff, academics, alumni and friends as part of the wider St John’s community, playing an active role in College life through events, conversation and engagement across the year. A member of the first cohort of women admitted to St John’s in 1973, Revd Canon Jane Grieve has been part of the College community for over five decades, as a student, member of staff and now SCR committee member.
Eleanor Arneil talks to Alumni Rosi Jelfs about her time in St John’s and her advice for current St John’s students.
After attending the 40 Years on Reunion this September, Richard Horton (1983-1986 Natural Sciences) shares his reflections on returning to John’s and the value of kindness.
Imogen Taylor, Head of Communications, Media & Alumni Relations for the Chronicle, talks to Ian Bunting and his granddaughter Eryn Reiss, both alumni of John’s. Ian was Director of Pastoral Studies for Cranmer Hall (1971-1978) and Eryn was an undergraduate student in John’s studying Modern Languages (2018-2022).
Arts and Culture Editor Ella Guy interviews Matt Wilson on his time at John’s and life after Durham.
Imogen Taylor, the Head of Alumni Relations, had the pleasure of sitting down to talk with Ian Bunting, who was Director of Pastoral Studies for Cranmer Hall between 1971 and 1978. They reflect on this ‘transitional’ time in Ian’s life at Durham and the relationship between Cranmer Hall and the rest of St John’s College.
In late April, you may have seen that St John’s College hosted a reunion dinner, to mark 50 years since Durham University Men’s Hockey team (1973-74) triumphed in the University Athletic Union (UAU) National Championships. The Chronicle sat down with a member of that team, John’s alumnus, Michael Green.
John’s alumni, Rebecca and Herman, share the story of their relationship, from meeting in John’s during Covid restrictions to living together now as graduates. Daisy Mitchell asked them about the impacts John’s college had on their relationship and the advice they have for current and future students of the college.
As John’s continues to celebrate fifty years of women at St John’s, Editor Toby Donegan-Cross finds out about the reasons for and process by which college accommodation became desegregated.
A heartfelt, personal reflection on Suzy’s relationship with John’s by Naomi Hamill, one of her close friends.
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