A gift from Professor Simon Goldhill is establishing a new fund to support undergraduate students at King’s. The Simon Goldhill Fund will enable students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds to make the most of their educational opportunities at Cambridge, from when they first accept their offer to when they graduate. The fund is particularly aimed at helping students who are refugees or the children of refugees, students from under-represented backgrounds and those who are the first in their immediate family to go to university.
Simon Goldhill (KC 1975) is Professor of Greek Literature and Culture and was for many years Director of Studies in Classics at King’s. He was an undergraduate and PhD student at King’s, and was appointed Fellow in 1982. Professor Goldhill said:
After more than 40 years benefitting from all that King’s offers in its own exceptional way, I felt it was time to give back. I want to help the College fulfil its aim of reaching, supporting and funding more disadvantaged students who could really thrive here – particularly those facing the most insuperable barriers. It’s not just teaching and learning: King’s changes lives in so many ways; and I hope that the students who are supported by grants from the fund will be able to take every opportunity offered to them.
The £80,000 gift from Professor Goldhill will also unlock matched funds from the Harding Challenge, which goes to undergraduates in greatest need across the whole University.
The King’s Campaign is currently raising £100 million to shape the next stage in the College’s future, with student support a major priority area. Assistant Admissions Tutor Dr Zoe Adams said:
This gift will help us encourage, and empower, more of the most capable students, giving them new opportunities, and helping them to realise their potential. Last year we accepted more than 78% of students from state schools, and 21% of direct offers made were to applicants from socially or economically disadvantaged backgrounds. We know how critical additional support at every stage of the Cambridge journey, from offer to successful completion of their studies and graduation, can be to our students - Simon’s gift will help us to support them not only in meeting their offers, but also in adapting and thriving in relation to all aspects of the Cambridge experience.
