Mansfield College, Oxford

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Mansfield College, Oxford

College name

Mansfield College

Motto

Deus locutus est nobis in Filio ("God hath spoken unto us by [his] Son", Hebrews 1:1–2)

Named after

George and Elizabeth Mansfield

Established

1886

Sister College

none

Principal

Dr Diana Walford

JCR President

Alex Morris

Undergraduates

200

MCR President

Valentina Pugliano

Graduates

Homepage

Grace

(ante cibum) Omnipotens Deus, clementissime Pater, omnis boni fons, in donis tuis gaudentes nomen tuum magnificamus, per Jesum Christum Dominum nostrum. "(before the meal) Almighty God, Father of mercies and fount of every good, in the enjoyment of thy gifts we bless thy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord."

Mansfield College is one of the 39 constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England. Notably, it is both the youngest and smallest undergraduate college within Oxford University, a title of which 'Mansfielders' are proud. However, Mansfield's history as a Private Hall dates back to the 19th century. It is located in the eponymous Mansfield Road in central Oxford.

1 History
2 Physical location
3 Diversity
4 Staff
5 Notable former students
6 References
7 External links

[edit] History

Originally only members of the established Church of England were permitted to attend Oxford or Cambridge University as students. Mansfield was the result of a successful attempt to circumvent this ban on non-Anglican denominations attending university. The college was originally founded (under the name of Spring Hill College) in Birmingham, as a college for Nonconformist students, who could not at that time be admitted to Oxford or Cambridge. The college moved to Oxford following the relaxation of the religious restrictions, and was founded in its present form in 1886. The magnificent Victorian buildings were designed by Basil Champneys.

Nowadays, in addition to being a regular college of study in the University, it also trains students for ordination (ordinands) in the United Reformed Church and the Congregational Federation, along with Northern College, Manchester and Westminster College, Cambridge.

Until 1995 Mansfield was a Permanent Private Hall rather than a college, the Queen's Charter being awarded in that year. With an undergraduate population of little more than 200 at any time, Mansfield remains one of the smallest undergraduate college in Oxford University apart from Harris Manchester, which only accepts mature students. In spite of the relatively small student population (about 300, the graduates and visiting students included), Mansfield is a lively and diverse community. One example is the Mansfield College Boat Club which is very active and popular amongst the students, achieving results at the level of some of the biggest colleges. Mansfield`s reputation for food around the university is excellent.

The college's pre-supper grace was translated into Latin from the Welsh version originally prepared for the University College of North Wales^[1].

[edit] Physical location

The spacious grounds of Mansfield College occupy one of the most attractive sites in Oxford near to the University parks and River Cherwell. The 1886 buildings, which house all the College's public rooms, are regarded as amongst the finest work of the important Victorian architect, Basil Champneys.

[edit] Diversity

It is the leader of the University's further-education access scheme and has amongst the highest proportions of state school students at any Oxbridge college. It also has a significant number of students who are not ethnically European.

[edit] Staff

Dr Albert Schweitzer, theologian and famous Bach expert was a special lecturer at Mansfield and often performed on the chapel organ. Among the notable academic staff is the Reverend Dr John Muddiman, G. B. Caird Fellow in New Testament Theology.

The college porters are also notable characters. Hugh Flint who has now retired, was the drummer for John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers and appeared on their first two albums, the second of which featured Eric Clapton. He later formed the band McGuinness Flint.

[edit] Notable former students

See also: Category:Alumni of Mansfield College, Oxford

Alumni of Mansfield College include:

Pamela Sue Anderson, philosopher
Chris Bryant
The Reverend George B Caird, Dean Ireland's Professor of the Exegesis of Holy Scripture, University of Oxford
Chris Cragg (Financial Times)
Paul Crossley (pianist)
C. H. Dodd (theologian, chairman of New English Bible translators)
Guy Hands
Erik Routley
Adam von Trott zu Solz (tried to assassinate Adolf Hitler)
The Reverend Dr H. Wheeler Robinson, Principal of Regent's Park College, Oxford and pre-eminent Old Testament scholar of his time
Michael White (music critic)