Professor Sir Nigel Shadbolt FRS, Principal of Jesus College, has officially launched our 450th anniversary year with a filmed message in which he highlights the strength of our community, the events which will mark this important milestone in our history, and gives thanks for the exceptional support that College members have shown during these challenging times.

In the new film, recorded in the College’s historic Fellow’s Library, he says,

“As the challenges of 2020 continue into a new year, it is worth remembering that our long history has included other periods of difficulty, through which the College has flourished and from which we emerged stronger. It is written in our original College Charter that Jesus is “to endure for all future times” and I believe that we can enter our 450th year confident in this commitment and hope.”

Sir Nigel goes on to talk about how our new Northgate building, due to open in autumn 2021, will transform research, teaching and learning in the next chapter of the College’s history;

“As a computer scientist, I am especially excited by the Digital Hub that will be at the heart of Northgate. A new teaching and convening space, the Digital Hub will enrich students’ learning experience by embracing the latest digital technologies. Its capabilities will also enhance opportunities for knowledge exchange by better enabling our academics to engage with other researchers across the globe.”

He ends by saying,

“As we grow into our new spaces and expand our walls, we will remain true to our heritage and continue to nurture our close-knit community of students and academics just as before. We invite you to join us in honouring our past, and to toast a year of new beginnings. Floreat Collegium Jesu.”

Watch the Principal’s 450th Anniversary message in full here.