Faculty of Classics - University of Cambridge

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The Faculty of Classics is one of the world's leading centres for the study of the ancient world. But the pursuit of excellence requires world-class facilities and a programme of constant renewal. Details of some of the major projects that the Faculty is currently pursuing are shown below. External support for these and for other plans is essential if we are to maintain our activities at the highest level, and all gifts, large or small, are very gratefully received.

It is easy to make an online donation via the University's Online Giving site. You may choose to give a gift to the Faculty in general or to make a specific donation to the Faculty's Greek Lexicon Project.

Those who may be considering a major donation may wish to discuss things first with the Chairman of the Faculty. If so, please email in confidence.

You can also make credit/debit card donations to the University, its departments, faculties and other institutions as part of the University’s 800^th Anniversary Campaign. All online donations count towards the Campaign total.

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

1) Museum of Classical Archaeology

With its outstanding collection of life-size casts of classical sculpture, the Museum of Classical Archaeology plays a central role in both undergraduate teaching and public outreach activity. In the last two decades the Museum has increased its profile and its public engagement.

A recent generous donation has also allowed the Museum to add to its collection. However, this expansion of content and visitor numbers has created an urgent need for a new entrance and a redesign of the display area.  At present, visitors enter the Museum through the regular Faculty entrance, often creating problems of noise and overcrowding. A new, dedicated front entrance at the west end of the Classics building would resolve these issues, and allow for improvement of both visitor and display facilities. It would also give the Museum the visual impact and ease of access it deserves.

The Museum has developed a schools and outreach programme that is helping to promote Classics to children, families and adults. Through the Museum's efforts the Cast Gallery is now more accessible and better known to the public than ever before.

Refurbishing the Museum and securing further teaching resources are essential if the Museum of Classical Archaeology is to continue to fulfil its role within the University and the wider community.

To ensure the continuing success of the Museum the Faculty seeks a total of £1.5 million. This will cover the costs of building the new entrance and redisplaying the collection (c. £1.4 million) and provide the additional funds needed to support the post of Museum Education Officer for a further two years. The entrance and refurbishment project offers an unparalleled naming opportunity for a substantial donor.

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2)   The Kennedy Professorship of Latin

The Kennedy Professorship is one of the most prestigious chairs of Latin in the world, named after Benjamin Kennedy (1804-1889), who was headmaster of Shrewsbury School, Regius Professor of Greek and advocate of women's education. The first holder was A.E. Housman (of Shropshire Lad fame), and it has been held most recently by EJ Kenney and MD Reeve. Stephen Oakley took up the post in October 2007.

Latin Language and Literature remain central to the Faculty activity across the board, and the Kennedy Professor holds a key position by inspiring new research and representing the subject to the world at large. The number of students here learning Latin now exceeds 500, more than at any time in the last fifty years. They come from the most diverse backgrounds, and include undergraduates, Masters and Doctoral students from Classics and other faculties. We are especially proud of our new 4-year degree course in which students can learn the language from scratch. Cambridge also has a uniquely wide-ranging spectrum of specialisms in the field, from the early history of the Latin language to the medieval manuscript tradition, from radical literary theory to traditional philological scholarship.

Sadly, the annual income of the subscription which originally supported the chair is now only £4000, and re-endowment is urgently needed if the subject is to continue to flourish. Though the Faculty is proud of the  Kennedy heritage, this post in principle offers a prestigious naming  opportunity for a major donor. The cost of re-endowing it in perpetuity  is £2 million.

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