"Kindle" donors visit College

Ian and Kath Finlay visited HMC recently to view the sculpture they donated in 2016 

We love welcoming back alumni for visits to the College. It was wonderful to catch Kath and Ian Finlay (Fellow and PG Dip Theology, 2017) on their visit to Harris Manchester a couple of weeks ago. While they were on site, they paused in Tate Quad to check up on the sculpture just behind the Oxley-Ching Building, entitled ‘Kindle’, which they generously gifted to HMC.

The sculpture was completed as a collaboration piece between Burnley sculptor Steve James and glass artist Vital Peeters, who bring together the two mediums of stainless steel and fused glass work to symbolise ‘the flame of knowledge’ carried by Harris Manchester students. Its candle flame-like shape also recalls the College’s Unitarian roots. The stainless steel represents the cold, hard steel of reason while the colourful glass integrated at its centre symbolises the hot passion of academic inquiry. We also like to think that the combination of seemingly disparate materials perhaps also suggests the range of diverse backgrounds, from which students at the College hail from, coming together each year and across successive generations to form the vibrant and eclectic learning community that is Harris Manchester.

Ian and Kath Finlay standing next to "Kindle"

No matter where our students came from before arriving in College and wherever they head after their time here, their connection to Harris Manchester is for life. We love to hear what our alumni are getting up to and where their education has taken them. If you’d like to stop by to reconnect with the College, you can email our new Alumni Relations Team at alumni@hmc.ox.ac.uk ahead of your visit. If you’d also like to receive regular news from College, invitations to alumni events, or hear more about how you can support HMC, and you’ve not updated your contact details in some time, please complete this form so we know how to reach you.