Over 100 young alumni from Oxford and Cambridge gathered in a lovely Upper East Side penthouse for drinks, hor devours and lively conversation. This was the first in a series of Young Alumni events aimed at bringing together like minded New York City residents in an informal setting.
Thursday 11 October 2007: Dr Christopher Brown, Director, Ashmolean Museum
Dr Brown previewed his talk, "The Rembrandt Debate", which examined issues raised in recent Rembrandt scholarship in the US and abroad. This lecture was to be delivered at the Metropolitan Museum on Sunday, October 14 as part of "The Age of Rembrandt: Dutch Paintings in The Metropolitan Museum of Art". Dr Brown also updated guests on news of the $120 million redevelopment of the Ashmolean Museum.
Wednesday 19 September 2007: Oxford Alumni Association of New York’s Freshers Party, New York, NY
OAANY’s annual Freshers Party gave incoming students a chance to mingle with alumni before heading over the pond. The event proved to be a great success with over 50 attendees, allowing both new friendships and reconnections to be made.
Tuesday 18 September 2007: Alumni Reception with Professor Colin Mayer, Dean of Said Business School, New York, NY
Dean Mayer spoke to a large crowd in Oxford’s North American Office on the evening of September 18. SBS’s accomplishments to date were highlighted and future endeavors were discussed.
Thanks to all of you who came out to row at the 3rd annual alumni boat race on Sat Sep 8th. Three Cambridge alumni drove down from Boston for the event, one of whom had just stepped off the red-eye from the west coast three hours before the race... truly a heroic effort!
The weather was sunny and hot, but unfortunately the wind created unusually rough water conditions. Despite the rough water, no major crabs were caught, and despite the loss of Oxford's rudder in the 3rd race there were no major clashes. We had two coxswains from Oxford, Kajsa McLaren and Ben Crystal, who neatly handled all four races for both universities in difficult conditions.
Photos of the event can be seen at http://web.mac.com/samanmajd/iWeb/Site/Oxbridge%20Alumni%202007.html
... or using the OAANY shared photo links below.
Photos
www.flickr.com
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]]> Although the races were handicapped for differences in ages, the winning margins were such that the handicaps did not come into consideration. The results of the races were as follows...
(1) Cambridge Women's IV beat Oxford Women's IV by 11 seconds
(2) Oxford Men's 1st VIII beat Cambridge Men's VIII by 26 seconds
(3) Cambridge Men's VIII beat Oxford Men's 2nd VIII by 33 seconds
(4) Cambridge Mixed VIII beat Oxford Mixed VIII by 13 seconds
I'd like to thank the following for their efforts in making this a successful and enjoyable event...
(1) Nicoleta Mantescu, Head Coach and General Manger of Saugatuck Rowing Club of Westport, Connecticut, for allowing us to use their boats and facilities, and for acting as race umpire throughout the morning;
(2) Amanda Pullinger, Jo Ann Barberi, Paula Hoare and Diana Rosenthal of the Oxford Alumni Association of NY, for handling all administrative aspects of the event;
(3) John Tepper Marlin and Nautica, for providing event shirts;
(4) David Snowden-Jones, for acting as finish line umpire;
(5) Alex Majd, for acting as event photographer.
We hope to hold this event again next year and will again aim for a Saturday in mid-September. We will notify everyone by email, most likely in April or May of next year (the time of the event will depend on the tides).
In the meantime, keep your oars wet and your erg's flywheel spinning!
Best regards,
Saman Majd
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On Saturday September 16, 2006, Oxford and Cambridge alumni gathered at the Saugatuck Rowing Club in Westport CT for the 2nd Annual Oxford-Cambridge Alumni Boat Race.
The weather cooperated with us, and we had an enjoyable afternoon watching three crews race, followed by a BBQ at the Club enjoyed by 70 Oxford and Cambridge rowers and supporters.
Faced with a big imbalance in the number of rowers from each university, we ran a women's race in coxed fours, a men's race in eights (though Cambridge, having only 7 men present, had Julia Henderson double up in the eight as well as the women's four), and a mixed Oxford eight.
Cambridge won the women's fours and Oxford won the men's eights. Our hosts, Saugatuck, entered a fast men's eight that raced our mixed eight and also the Oxford eight, winning both races. In addition to providing the venue, Saugatuck provided boats, umpires in launches and four coxes who were familiar with that stretch of water.
We plan to hold this event next year at around the same time (early September). We will send out an announcement some time next spring... in the meantime get out on the water and/or the erg!
Special thanks to:
Nicoleta Mantescu, General Manager, Saugatuck Rowing Club
Saman Majd, Race Director (Christ Church, Oxford)
Widge Devaney, Cambridge Alumni Team Captain (Hughes Hall, Cambridge)
John Tepper Marlin, Tshirt Sponsorship Coordinator (Trinity, Oxford)
Nautica, Tshirt Sponsorship
Photos
www.flickr.com
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Plus more photos from Saman Majd:
http://web.mac.com/samanmajd/iWeb/Site/Oxbridge%20Alumni%20Boat%20Race.html
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The Oxford - Cambridge golf match took place on Wednesday May24 at the Tuxedo Park Golf Club in Tuxedo Park.
We gathered to do battle in the almost Annual Oxford Cambridge Golf Challenge. The course was exceptionally beautiful set against rolling green hills and the weather was perfect with sun shining on the many little lakes and perfect green fairways.
Oxford University team:
Team members - left to right:
Daniel Arnow (Corpus '58) Spectator, subsequently score keeper.
Guy Spier (Brasenose, '88) Golf handicap 36
Gary Webber (Wadham '87) Golf handicap 15
Cambridge University team:
We also looked hard for the Cambridge team, but could not find anyone from Cambridge anywhere within Tuxedo Park. Side captain Spier reported to the group that Cambridge had agreed as to time, date and location of the match.
One possible location of the Cambridge team on match day.
Rather than declare an immediate forfeit, Spier designated his guest Dan Moore to represent the Cambridge side.
Substitute Cambridge team
Daniel Moore ('93 Hamilton College) with Cambridge team-mate.
Scoring system
The decision was unanimously accepted and approved by all Oxbridge graduates present.
PlaySo with beautiful 70 degree weather the group proceeded around the 18 hole course originally designed Robert Trent Jones. Tuxedo Park itself was imagined by industrialist Pierre Lorillard to create the idyllic retreat from the hustle and bustle of big city life--- the country’s first gated community (1886) and the origin of using the word ‘tuxedo’ for ‘dinner jacket’.
Oxford and Cambridge teams after the 9th hole.
At this point, it was becoming clear that Cambridge did not have much of a chance.
Oxford took an early lead in the match play and stayed there. Even though the Cambridge team had the low overall raw score, including a birdie two on the back nine, Moore's excellent play, however, was unable to overcome Oxford's rather more mediocre showing, given the state of the relative handicaps.
ScoreThe final score was nine holes for Oxford and four for Cambridge with six holes halved for a total of five up for Oxford. This can only be considered a major rout for Oxford over Cambridge - one unlikely to have been exceeded in recent history.
After the match both sides gathered on the veranda overlooking the scenic eighteenth hole with it’s two ponds and many sand traps set between tree lined hills to have some pints and grapes and cheese.
Oxford team captain Spier said,
"Although it was a glorious day, and the weather conditions were perfect, Oxford's prospects took a major turn for the worse when it emerged that 'tab substitute player was an excellent golfer and that the Oxford team was mediocre at best. At this point, I was expecting some tough play ahead."
To the victors, the spoils....
Oxford University seated from Left to Right: Guy Spier (BNC '88), Gary Webber (Wadham '87), Daniel Arnow (Corpus '58)
Spier added:
"However, just as play was about to start, I hit on the idea of penalizing the Cambridge 11 handicap points for failing to field a team. This seemed to offend Cambridge substitute Moore's sense of fairness. For my part, I was sure that the Cambridge captain was in agreement. Furthermore, I decided to put it to a vote: All Oxbridge graduates present ruled unanimously (3-0) in favour, as did a majority (2-1) of all the players.I thought of adding in extra penalties, but decided that I did not want to push my luck. Furthermore, with an 11 point disadvantage, I was pretty sure that the Cambridge team was licked. I'm glad to say that my lousy golf was saved by the skill with which I negotiated with the Cambridge side."
Dan Moore (Hamilton, '88) shares a toast with his team:
The Cambridge team captain was not available at the match to comment.
| www.flickr.com |
Selection here:
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http://education.guardian.co.uk/businessofresearch/story/0,,1722084,00.html
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We were then treated to a q & a session with Steve Malin - who in addition to working at the Fed, teaches at Barnard College.
Photo's are not allowed in, near, or around the Federal Reserve Building, so these photos of some of the members of the group were taken at the Starbucks down the road..
http://www.flickr.com/photos/41246470@N00/sets/1168054/show/
To see the New York Fed's website goto http://www.newyorkfed.org
Michael has also sent us a couple of pieces: One, below on Alan Greenspan's future successor. The other, from the Fed's website on William McDonough's testimony to the House Banking and Finance committee on the Fed's role in the recapitalisation of LTCM.
http://www.newyorkfed.org/newsevents/speeches/1998/mcd981001.html
]]> Fed chief nomination in November?WASHINGTON -- The White House plans to nominate a successor to retiring Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan in early to mid- November, an administration official with direct knowledge of the search process said Tuesday, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the subject.
That means lawmakers could have to act quickly to get any nominee approved by the Senate Banking Committee and the full Senate before it adjourns for the year, assuming the White House meets that schedule. And the process threatens to be complicated by a growing battle over tax and spending policy.
Greenspan's term expires on Jan.31. He could remain in office longer, if needed, but Greenspan, 79, has made clear he wants to leave as planned.
Congress is tentatively set to adjourn in November.
But a rebellion by conservative Republicans, who want to cut social spending by about $50billion while approving $70billion in additional tax cuts, has complicated the outlook.
"We're assuming there's going to be a knock-down, drag-out brawl over the budget," says Jim Manley, spokesman for House Democratic Leader Harry Reid of Nevada, suggesting the Senate could keep working until Christmas.
A longer session means more time to consider a nominee. But if the budget debate is as partisan as it promises to be, it could mean extra scrutiny for any Greenspan successor, especially if he or she helped push Bush fiscal policies, including tax cuts Republicans now want to extend.
Bush has offered little insight into his plans. In early October, he told reporters he had not yet reviewed names of possible replacements, adding, "It's important that whomever I pick is viewed as an independent person from politics."
Economists and market analysts have focused on a short list of possible choices, including Harvard professor Martin Feldstein, White House Council of Economic Advisers Chairman Ben Bernanke, Columbia University professor R. Glenn Hubbard, Fed Governor Donald Kohn and Fed Vice Chairman Roger Ferguson.
Economists polled by USA TODAY last month named Bernanke -- a former Fed governor and chairman of Princeton's economics department -- their top choice.
Bernanke received 30 first-choice votes from the nearly 50 economists surveyed; Feldstein was No.2 with four.
Martin Regalia, chief economist for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, says he doesn't think Congress would hold up a Fed nomination, given its importance. Adam Hughes, budget policy analyst for non-profit OMB Watch, part of a coalition of advocacy groups battling Republican budget proposals, says the nomination has been non- political in the past, adding that the specific choice will make a big difference in the debate.
© 2005 USA Today
The play is well worth seeing. What made it more special was that the entire cast stayed after the play for a very interesting Q&A. We learnt about the transition they had to make to bring the play to New York. They learnt from the audience where the best supermarkets were in New York!
Thanks, as always, to Erin Burns for organizing. Watch out for our next theatre event.
Photos...
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