Thanks to the generosity of alumni and friends of Jesus College, we will be welcoming the first recipient of a new undergraduate bursary in Classics this coming Michaelmas term, named in memory of former Fellow and Tutor in Classics, Don Fowler.

 

In February 2024, inspired by two of Don Fowler’s former students – Leah Tomkins (Classics and Modern Languages, 1983) and Jane Manson (Classics, 1983) – we launched an appeal to raise £100k to endow in perpetuity an undergraduate bursary in Classics. In the weeks that followed, numerous donations were made, and many wonderful memories and anecdotes of Don’s teaching shared. By the end of May, our ambitious target had been reached, thanks to the kindness of Jesus alumni and friends.

The appeal has shown how popular and well-respected Don continues to be, both as a distinguished academic, and as a member of the College Fellowship. Don’s presence is still very much felt in Oxford, through continued research in the areas he pioneered (primarily in Latin literature, Virgil and Lucretius and modern literary theory), and through the annual Don Fowler Lecture in May, which invites leading Classicists to address an audience of students, academics and friends.

Throughout his career, Don focused great attention on broadening the aspirations of young Classics students through his contributions to Omnibus, which no doubt inspired many applications to read the subject at Oxford. To honour his commitment to outreach, it’s fitting that the Don Fowler Bursary will be created for students reading Classics or Classics with join honours who fulfil the College’s merit and hardship criteria.

We are indebted to Leah and Jane for initiating the Bursary appeal, and to all those who contributed towards encouraging support. Jane said:

‘I want to thank everyone who donated to this appeal. The speed and generosity with which the donors contributed to this Don Fowler Bursary is a testament to the man and the tutor he was, and it is so right that Don should be remembered in a way that he would absolutely endorse.’

It is with sincere gratitude that we thank all those who have supported the appeal at any level. It is a remarkable collective achievement, and demonstrates the high regard with which both Don Fowler and the future of Classics scholarship at Jesus are held.

To find out more about supporting means-tested bursaries at Jesus, please contact georgina.plunkett@jesus.ox.ac.uk.