Kellogg College, Oxford


Kellogg College is a graduate-only constituent college of the University of Oxford in England. Founded in 1990 as Rewley House, Kellogg is the university's 36th college and the largest by number of students. It hosts research centres including the Institute of Population Ageing and the Centre for Creative Writing, and is closely identified with lifelong learning at Oxford.
As with most of the university's graduate colleges, Kellogg College has an egalitarian spirit which is reflected by a lack of formal separation between fellows and students. The college has no high table and, uniquely among Oxford's colleges, its grace is in Welsh. It is also unique in having its own tartan.
The president of the college is Jonathan Michie who is Professor of Innovation & Knowledge Exchange and also holds the position of director of the Oxford University Department for Continuing Education. Michie succeeded the founder of the college, Geoffrey Thomas, as president.

History

Kellogg College was the first home for part-time students at the University of Oxford and many of the students who join the college continue to work in their professions while they study. The college continues to promote ideals of access, openness, and inclusivity. the student body numbers 1139 students, of whom 268 are attending full-time and 871 part-time. The college has accepted both women and men as students since its foundation.
The college came into being on 1 March 1990 and was renamed in honour of Will Keith Kellogg on 1 October 1994, in recognition of the generous support given by the W. K. Kellogg Foundation to the university over the preceding decades. The college has close connections with the university's departments for continuing education, medicine, education, computer science, and law, and other departments active in areas of professional and part-time study. The Director of the Department for Continuing Education is ex officio President of Kellogg College.
The college can trace its origins back to the start of the university extension movement in the 1870s. In 1878, Arthur Johnson was the first to deliver an "Oxford Extension Lecture". The movement grew out of a drive to liberalise Oxford which gained momentum in the 1850s. As a consequence, the university slowly began to open itself to religious nonconformists, poorer men, and women. It is this movement that forms the historical background of Kellogg. The Oxford Extension movement is sometimes credited with taking "Oxford to the masses". Lectures were given in town halls, public libraries and village school rooms across the country. The aim of the extension movement was twofold: social and political. It aimed at educating the larger community to achieve a better informed democracy.
Kellogg College celebrated its "coming of age" in 2011 and celebrated its 25th anniversary in March 2015.
In November 2019 Charles, Prince of Wales was announced as Honorary Fellow to celebrate Kellogg's 30th anniversary in 2020. He visited the college in March 2020 to receive his award.

Buildings

Until 2009 the college shared Rewley House in Wellington Square with the Department for Continuing Education. In May 2004, the college acquired a site for a new permanent home, located between Banbury Road and Bradmore Road, in the Norham Manor area of North Oxford, a 10-minute walk from Wellington Square. The existing Victorian buildings have been renovated to provide a dining hall, residential accommodation, offices, study facilities, and research space. The college offices moved to the Banbury Road site in April 2006.

The Hub

The Hub opened on 2 May 2017 and was shortlisted for an RIBA South Regional Award. It is the first Passivhaus-certified project at the University of Oxford. The Hub Café is cashless, requiring all payments to be made by card.

Geoffrey Thomas House

Geoffrey Thomas House is located at 60 Banbury Road and is named after the first college president Geoffrey Thomas. The building was designed by William Wilkinson and constructed in 1865–1866. A rear extension was constructed in 1902.
Geoffrey Thomas House houses the college library on the ground and first floor. Facilities include six reading-rooms, all with wireless connectivity and three with power points for the desk-based use of laptops, and a computer room with printing/copying facilities.

Seminar rooms

The Mawby Room is located between 60–62 Banbury Road, and was named after Russell Mawby. It is located to the immediate left of the main reception area, and provides movable furniture, a lectern and a projector.

Accommodation

Kellogg College provides accommodation for both full-time and part-time students. In addition to accommodation owned by the college, the college is also able to offer university-owned accommodation.

Administration

Together with Reuben and St Cross, Kellogg is one of only three Oxford colleges without a royal charter. It is officially a society of the university rather than an independent college. The main difference from an independent college is that the Director of the Department for Continuing Education is ex officio President; in other colleges, the head of house is elected and appointed by the governing body directly. For accounting purposes, the societies are considered departments of the university.

Sport

Kellogg maintains a strong presence: former Heineken Cup winner Dom Waldouck was elected as the university's Rugby Captain for 2018 while Johanna Dombrowski was a recent President of Oxford University RFC women's team.
Kellogg students also row in the University Boat Races against Cambridge. In 2013, Kellogg students rowed in the victorious men's, women's, women's lightweight and reserve boats. Later in 2016, alumnus Paul Bennett won a gold medal for Great Britain in the Rio Olympics as did current student Grace Clough in the Paralympics.

Gym

Whilst Kellogg College does not have its own dedicated gym, members of the college are provided with free access to the University Sports Centre on Iffley Road. Additionally, as Kellogg College is a postgraduate-only college, all of its members are eligible to join The Oxford University Club free of charge. For an additional fee, members may utilise the onsite gym.

Punting

Kellogg College has its own punt, currently moored at the Cherwell Boathouse on Bardwell Road. The punt is free to use by members of the college, requiring booking in advance.

Traditions

Coat of arms

College grace

Kellogg's College grace has the distinction of being the only grace in the Welsh language at any Oxbridge college. It was chosen to commemorate the foundation of the college on St David’s Day in 1990. The Welsh text, written by W.D. Williams, and its translation read:

Tartan

The Kellogg College tartan was designed by Robert Collins for the Burns Supper 2013. It is to be worn only by fellows, students and alumni of Kellogg College and those invited to do so by the president of the college. The tartan is composed of four colours; red, white and blue of the college crest, and gold representing an ear of wheat.

Notable people associated with Kellogg

Presidents