Oriel College celebrates 700th anniversary across United States

Provost Lord Mendoza and Lady Mendoza have been touring the United States with the Director and Deputy Director of Development, Marco Zhang and James Fletcher, celebrating Oriel College’s 700th anniversary with alumni.

During the ten-day trip, they travelled to San Francisco, Los Angeles, Washington DC, New York and Atlanta, with alumni generously hosting receptions and dinners.

In Washington DC Mungo Woodifield, Minister Counsellor for Trade and Global Issues, welcomed alumni to the British Ambassador’s Residence — one of the most important diplomatic buildings in the world — for a special dinner to mark Oriel’s anniversary.

“I am extremely grateful for the generosity and enthusiasm of alumni, right across the USA, who have made a spectacular series of celebrations for Oriel’s 700th anniversary possible,” Mendoza said.

“I would also like to personally thank Ambassador Christian Turner and Minister Counsellor Mungo Woodifield at the British Ambassador’s Residence for organising a glamorous and memorable evening for our community. Our 700th chimed neatly with USA 250.

“Alumni across all events appreciated the distinctiveness of Oriel and the special qualities of our collegiate world. Without wishing to appear mawkish we felt the love from alumni for whom Oriel was and is an important part of their lives. “

The recent US tour began in San Francisco with a reception hosted by Christopher Prichard (2004) and his wife Sonia at their home.

The Oriel delegation of the Provost, Lady Mendoza, Zhang and Fletcher then headed south to Los Angeles, where Zane Dalal (1983) hosted a reception at his home in the Hollywood Hills.

They then flew to the East Coast for the dinner at the British Ambassador’s Residence, which was followed by a dinner at The Harvard Club in New York, hosted by Brian Dickie (1973) and his wife Sue.

The final event was a dinner at the Capital City Club in Brookhaven, Atlanta, hosted by Nikki Key Murphy (2002).

Throughout 2026, Oriel College is celebrating its 700th anniversary with events all around the globe as well as at its site in central Oxford and across the UK. Cities where alumni have celebrated so far include, in the UK, London and Edinburgh, and overseas, Jacksonville, USA.

Upcoming events are scheduled in Manchester, Berlin, Vienna, Oslo and several other cities.

In February, the chapel choir sang Evensong at St Paul’s Cathedral, London. The 300-strong congregation at the service included more than 100 alumni and their guests.

In September, a three-day weekend of celebrations for alumni will include a classical concert on Friday, alumni ball on Saturday and family garden party on Sunday.

Alumni are also invited to hear from Oriel’s academics and view items from the College’s archival collections at Inspiration Days.