Professor Rawlins’ Last Formal Hall

On Thursday, 27 November, the college community gathered for the last formal hall dinner of the semester to farewell Professor Nick Rawlins and his wife, Lalla Ward. Nick and Lalla dedicated seven years of service to the college, and generations of Morningsiders are deeply grateful. Master of Ceremonies Kashish Shahani, a Year 4 Hospitality and Real Estate student, welcomed the audience, and Dean of Students Professor Colin Graham gave the farewell speech. Morningsiders around the world recorded heartfelt messages about the impact that Nick and Lalla had on them. Alumni Christie Leung and Chaichon “Poh” Wongkham surprised the room with a live performance. Student Islam Zhandaliyev and Resident Tutor Zhamilya Zhirenova presented a parting gift. Nick and Lalla reminded everyone to stay in touch and visit them in Oxford. Nick closed the evening by saying that this is not a goodbye, but an au revoir.