WELCOME TO THE SPRING issue of our UC Magazine. This issue is perhaps our most collaborative instalment yet, as it has been written by you, our readers! Many of you answered our call and sent in stories, memories, and snapshots. So, we decided to dedicate this entire issue to sharing your stories with the University College community.
When the team proposed this idea to me, I was immediately captivated. Stories are among the main areas of my work as a scholar: With colleagues internationally, I am engaged in methodologies of what is called historical narratology, doing research into structures and elements of human storytelling – in my case going back far into history, to the medieval beginnings of recorded storytelling in the German language. What we find is that humans to a large degree are the stories they tell, individually and collectively. To be sure, storytelling in and of itself is neither good nor bad. Its affective power and tendency towards simplification and stereotyping can be wielded to do immense harm, but telling stories can also lend coherence and assurance of common cause and values in a very positive sense. Stories can encourage audiences to take action in light of social injustices, troubling world news, and dire environmental consequences due to human behaviour. And they also enable people to make sense of themselves – within their place, within their time, within their communities.
The stories that you are going to read are diverse and multi-faceted, but they tend to return to themes that are as relevant to students today as they have been for decades: finding friends and community, having life-changing moments of learning and realization, or beginning to see a life path emerging from foggy and sometimes confusing multiplicities of potential directions. The settings we all know well: the Junior Common Room, the halls and offices of our beautiful building (recently restored and updated to award- winning new splendour), the UC Union (formerly the Women’s Union, which is in need of its own round of restoration and updating), and many other places that are very familiar to you.
What is most important to me is that the stories speak of your deep connection to the College. Our students rely on you in many ways, and I am deeply grateful for your connection and commitment. As we continue to steer the College through the pandemic with optimism and determination, the longer view from these intergenerational impressions of UC is a much- appreciated respite. I hope you will enjoy, as much as I did, the memories and snapshots by our UC alumni.