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Built on ‘Powerful’ foundations
Magdalene Matters

Built on ‘Powerful’ Foundations

The Power Scholarship, an exchange between the University of Michigan and Magdalene, was established in 1968 by the generosity of Mr Eugene Power (1967).

In 1978, the programme was extended to include New Hall, and hence women. 1988 saw another first. With Magdalene becoming co-ed, I was the first Scholar to have a choice of College. I chose Magdalene. I have never regretted that decision.

October 1988 may still stir mixed emotions from Magdalene Members. For some, the admission of females, Black October, black armbands and the loss of the last all-male Oxbridge college may re-open an old wound and evoke a sense of loss. For others, it was the advent of a new, more modern Magdalene. For me, an American with little appreciation for the centuries of tradition, it marked my arrival at Magdalene; I just happened to be female and therefore my exchange experience will forever be entwined with being part of that first cohort of women.

Growing up just outside of Detroit in a blue-collar family, winning a place at the University of Michigan wasn’t even remotely on my radar, let alone that leading to studying in what seemed like the fairy tale world of Cambridge spires, candlelit hall dinners and tutorials. Even now, as I reflect some thirty-plus years later, I can hardly believe my luck to have had studied at these two world-renowned universities.

Of course, the academic experiences afforded by the scholarship were immense. At Michigan, I had studied Engineering. At Cambridge, I was able to spend my first year reading History and Philosophy of Science before returning to my Engineering background to study for a doctorate in Artificial Speech Synthesis. I can still remember the trepidation before my first tutorial essay, the sore writing hand from my first Tripos, and the wonder of attending lectures and seminars listening to legends like Karl Popper.

But academic study was only part of the amazing opportunities afforded by the exchange. As a young adult it was an incredible blessing to travel through Britain and Europe, to immerse oneself in a foreign culture, to live side-by-side with others with entirely different life experiences, to debate views and gain a more global perspective.

However, these reminisces would be incomplete if they didn’t include the fond memories of being part of that first group of women. I clearly remember a few of us convening a meeting during freshers’ week where it became clear that many of us were not going to let the unique opportunity of being the “first Magdalene women” be missed. We were determined to integrate into every aspect of College life, joining clubs where we were allowed in and starting our own where that was more appropriate.

First Magdalene Female Cricket Team c1988

During that first year, music, JCR, MCR and subject societies, to name just a few, saw women join in. On the pitches, we fielded numerous “first” Magdalene women’s teams. Yes, I learned that netball was nothing like basketball, and cricket a far cry from baseball. We took to the Cam with our first Eight in the Autumn Fairbairns, in a decrepit clinker where my seat fell off the runners halfway through the race. Those of us who had earned College or University colours spent many an evening deciding the name and initiation rituals of our new society.

I am forever indebted to Eugene Power, and Magdalene College. They gave me the chance to make a fairy tale dream became reality with the exchange having a lasting impact on my life. Yes, while at Magdalene, I met my prince and have lived in Britain happily ever after.


By Dr Christine Martin (1988)
This article first appeared in Magdalene Matters Issue 49.

First Magdalene Female Cricket Team c1988