Established in 2018, the Provost’s Prize recognises those students who make a significant contribution to the College community during their time at King’s.
This year’s winners Fee, Spencer, Harry, Jack and Teddy received the award with the following citations:
The amount of work Fee Robinson has accomplished this year is astonishing. From the outside it appears she has single handedly kept the KCGU together, bridging gaps between College staff and the other members constantly. The grads would not have had anywhere near as many events and Formals this year without her. Her efforts on the Grad Bar and Formals MOU were huge. She stepped into the role of King’s Affair Food and Drink Coordinator after the previous students dropped out and, although the road to the event has still been very rocky, Fee has negotiated everything brilliantly. On the committees we’ve been on together she has been a positive force, unafraid to ask questions and push at areas she believes will be a benefit to her fellow graduate students. Despite all of this work Fee has remained level-headed and positive.
The impact of Spencer Lee Boya in the King’s community is remarkable. In the last two years he has worn many hats, all with grace. He was President of the KCGS [now KCGU] and took active part in the Communications Committee meetings, always trying to find ways to better promote the research and achievements of postgraduate students. As Co-President of KCMS and conductor in many of their concerts, he has helped devise an interesting programme and made an effort to share their music-making with all at King’s, including staff. As a pianist he performed at a recent alumni event where he was not only a great instrumentalist but also a great representative of the student community. And, finally, as a boxer and change-maker at CUABC Spencer’s work will have a lasting impact so we are not surprised to see him shortlisted for a CU Sports Award in the ‘Unsung Hero’ category.
In the current climate of difficult choral recruitment, Harry Gant is the model Choral Scholar: flawless in preparation, delivery and teamwork. When he arrived at King’s he hit the ground running, most memorably stepping into a solo there and then at the Barbican in London, when one of his colleagues left the stage during the concert. More recently, he has delivered noteworthy solos on recordings and each year on TV. As a College musician, he has taken a leading role in the running of KCMS, and this year he has directed the King’s Men. His greatest asset is his modesty: nothing about Harry is flashy or self-absorbed. His musical performance speaks of someone who cares first and foremost about the team and the end-product, and he is happy to be asked to do whatever is required to achieve our common and shared goals. His contribution to music within the College has been exceptional.
Jack Robinson has shown exceptional commitment and work in the context of the responsible investment working group. Over the academic year 2024/25, the group has been preparing a new and comprehensive responsible investment policy for King’s, reiterating the College’s responsibility towards future generations by confirming divestment from fossil fuels and adopting a clear position of non-complicity with abuse and unjustified harm. As a student member who volunteered to be on the group because he cares deeply about King’s and the questions of responsible investment raised by the working group, Jack has been exemplary in attending meetings, doing significant amounts of work in support of the group’s drafting of a responsible investment policy, engaging constructively with other members of the group and helping to gather views from among the student community. Jack’s overall engagement has shown a level of commitment and excellence that we have rarely seen.
Teddy Graham has stood out as a truly engaged and impactful contributor to the College community. The range of their activities in College is impressive, from running the Art Rooms to assisting with the Student Loan Collection, helping in the Archives, and acting as President of KCSU. Teddy has been the lynchpin of the College Art Rooms for several years now, running events and classes, helping with exhibitions, reorganising the space, sourcing and stocking art supplies, redecorating the rooms, training students, liaising with external artists and societies, running social media accounts, and providing the main point of contact for Art Room Coordinator, Nigel Meager. Teddy runs the rooms as an inclusive and welcoming space that provides a creative haven for many members of our community. Alongside the Art Rooms, Teddy has been heavily involved with running the Student Loan Collection. They carried out an impressive summer research project in 2024 on the history of the Collection and spent a great deal of time not only identifying works, but also reorganising the storeroom at the top of A Staircase for ease of access. The chronological history of acquisitions built up by Teddy through their research will serve the College for years to come, and is an important piece of our collective history.
Just the other day someone noticed the small garden of arugula and strawberries that Teddy had planted with the Gardeners’ permission (and following their advice) in Bodley’s Court: all College members are welcome to take as much as they need, which is a very nice gesture!
