Oxonians Come to Aid of College

“I knew I was back at an Oxford affair when a young man went through the receiving line and said, ‘Mr. Wells, I’m Jesus ‘77,’ ” quipped Walt Disney Co. President and CEO Frank Wells, a graduate of England’s Oxford University.

Oxford alumni, it seems, always identify themselves by their colleges. As Christian Emerson Sawyer (Jesus College, 1977) explained: “The university is a collection of colleges, and your college is beyond a fraternity.”

About 180 Oxonians--dressed in academic robes or formal eveningwear--gave it the old college try Thursday night at the Beverly Hills Hotel for the first West Coast event in the Campaign for Oxford. Taking a cue from the American style of garnering support, Oxford two years ago launched the first fund-raiser in its 800-year history. Through international appeals, it has raised half of its $400-million goal with three years left in the campaign.

Wells (Brasenose College) is co-chair of the California campaign with Dennis Stanfill (Exeter College), chairman and CEO of AME Inc., a film post-production company. California boasts the largest concentration of Oxford graduates of any state.

No money was raised at the event, although Dr. Anthony Kenny, pro-vice chancellor of Oxford, was hardly coy about his intentions. “We want to get people interested,” he said before a round of nostalgic speeches by local alumni such as former Rams star Pat Haden. Alumnus Dudley Moore played a mini-piano recital.

There were also toasts to the queen, the queen mother and even President Bush. Grace--in Latin--preceded a British meal of roast beef, Yorkshire pudding, sherry trifle and Sandeman port. “All in all, it was a sober Oxford dinner,” said Nicholas A. Ulanov, director of the North American campaign.

Guest of honor was the Duke of Norfolk, Earl Marshal of England, described by one Oxonian as the most senior duke in Britain and “for Brits a very big deal.” But the duke just laughed and described himself as “someone who’s come up by inheritance. I’m not famous at all.”