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College Archives Newsletter #5
May 2019
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Alumni Donation
College Blazer from the 1960s
One of our most exciting news this month was the acquisition of a College blazer from the 1960s. We send our utmost gratitude to its donor Ms Leta Leung (SJC 7/F 1965), and to Ms Sophia Chan (SJC 7/F 1965) who brought it back from the UK.
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Coloured in the traditional Cambridge blue, the College blazer was quite commonly used in the early days of the College, though we were told by alumni that not all residents had it as it was quite expensive. In 1969-70, the Students' Association introduced a blue sweater, shown in the bottom right picture below, which was a much more affordable replacement.
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Blazers and sweaters shown in College group photos. From left to right, top to bottom: 1960, 1962, 1967, 1969.
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It is interesting to note that the College emblem on the blazer is a bit different different from the one we use today. Historically, the College emblem has undergone a number of transformations, evolving from a mild square crest with a "flattened chicken" to today's rather ferocious Aquila shield. The earliest version of the emblem is shown in the top left picture above.
The College Archives welcomes and encourages donations from current residents and alumni alike. Please contact us for enquires.
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Goodbye and Thank You!
Dr Franco David Macri
This month the College sends off Dr David Macri, who is departing for his new post in Hawaii. Dr Macri was the Senior Research Fellow of College and a teaching staff at the University History Department.
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Dr David Macri being interviewed by the College Archives, 29 May 2019.
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Dr Macri first joined St. John's in 2006, when he commenced his PhD in history under the supervision of Dr Peter Cunich, and resided in the postgraduate Wong Chik Ting Hall. After his graduation in 2011, and upon the invitation of the College, he started the arduous task of researching and writing on College history.
Serving the College for more than a decade, Dr Macri contributed greatly to the development of the academic culture in St. John's. He first started tutoring postgraduate residents in English in 2008. Upon his return to St. John's in 2013, he coordinated the academic tutoring system. He also pioneered the annual academic colloquium in 2014. His annual WWII walking tour was a much enjoyed event amongst residents and alumni alike.
Dr Marci is most thanked for his work on the College history, the first volume of which was published in 2012, covering the period of 1912-45. We were told that the second volume, covering the period of 1945-79, is nearing completion. These well-researched scholarly accounts are vital to St. John's and the wider community in enhancing our understanding of the College's development and achievements.
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The Master, the Dean, Office staff and members of the College Archives send off Dr David Macri with a farewell luncheon. Credits to the Dean.
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We conducted an interview with Dr Macri before his departure. His profound and unique insight into the historical evolution of the College is a much welcomed addition to our oral history collection. We thank him for all his work, and wish him good health and good luck in all his future endeavours.
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Collaboration
Ying Wa College
We were happy to receive members of the Ying Wa College Heritage and Archives Group, who visited our repository on 23 May. We had fruitful exchange of experience in preserving institutional history and heritage. Wishing them all the best in their endeavours to construct their own archives repository.
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Oral History
St. John's Stories Project
This summer, we launch the St. John's Stories Project at full swing. Last week, we conducted an oral history interview with the Revd Paul Tong, our former Master, which is the first of a series of such interviews aiming to outline his life story. We are also happy to have connected with our alumni, Mr Fung Yee Wang, Dr Moira Chan and Dr David Yeung, from whom we learned very interesting stories about College life in its early days.
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A trip to North America is also under planning, during which we hope to meet and interview a dozen of alumni from the 1960s. In Toronto, we expect to visit the Revd Paul Gibson, the second Master of College (1967-72). Stay tuned for further updates!
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Exhibition
International Archives Day 2019
The Hong Kong Archives Society is holding the International Archives Day 2019 Exhibition on Saturday, 8 June 2019 at Hart Hall, H Queen's, 80 Queen's Road Central. We are most honoured to be invited to join as exhibitor this year alongside the Ricci Hall Archives Conservation and Acquisition Project and professional archives in town. Please come and visit us at our booth!
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