Rector’s eNews 19: 18 June 2025

The strength of the Michaelhouse community was so clearly evident over the Old Boys’ Weekend, as we warmly welcomed Old Boys from around the world to Balgowan for the annual Gaudy weekend.

On the Thursday evening we were honoured to host Mark Suzman (Pascoe, 1985), Rhodes Scholar, Harvard graduate, and CEO of the Gates Foundation. Under his leadership, the Foundation continues its mission to help people to live a healthy, productive life. In his inspiring address to the boys, Mark shared insights from his remarkable journey in global philanthropy and offered a vision for tackling some of the world’s most pressing health challenges over the next two decades—including HIV, malaria, tuberculosis, and, very significantly, breast cancer.

Another highlight of the weekend was the prestigious St. Michael’s Award ceremony on the Friday evening. This honour is bestowed upon Michaelhouse Old Boys who exemplify outstanding leadership, service, and commitment in line with the school’s core values of courage, compassion, humility and integrity, and was proudly made, amongst others, to Professor Kit Vaughan (Founders, 1970).

Professor Vaughan is a globally recognised authority in the biomechanics of human locomotion and has made pioneering contributions to medical science, most notably through his development of a revolutionary 3D ultrasound device. Portable and powered by the latest advances in artificial intelligence, this life-saving technology is designed to improve early breast cancer detection and extend its reach to millions of women in rural communities.

Considering the fact that the two distinguished guests had not previously met each other, the occasion provided a pivotal moment of the weekend, where the two Old Boys, global leaders in their respective fields, were introduced to each other in a special meeting on the banks of Meadows, where they came together for a profound and potentially important conversation in the international context. They discussed cutting-edge innovations in breast cancer detection, with a focus on Professor Vaughan’s portable, AI-driven diagnostic device and the role of philanthropic support in ensuring its global accessibility.

This remarkable opportunity not only showcased the extraordinary global impact of our Old Boy community but also stood as a testament to the strong bonds, meaningful networks, and shared purpose of the Michaelhouse brotherhood, spanning generations and disciplines.

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