Why I give: Lucy Buxton (2018)

Merton’s students and academics have benefited greatly from the generosity of alumni and friends who have made gifts to the College during their lifetimes or as legacies in their wills. We are enormously grateful to everyone who makes a donation, because it enables us to provide a huge variety of assistance to our academic community at all levels. We spoke to two very different donors – an alumnus and a current undergraduate – about why they give to Merton.

Lucy Buxton is a second-year undergraduate studying Classics & German. She’s also the JCR President.

Through the JCR, every undergraduate in Merton has the chance to contribute to the Reach Oxford Scholarship. This scholarship enables highly talented students from low-income countries to benefit from an Oxford education, and it is made possible through joint funding and philanthropy from the University, the College and the JCR.

In a project led by undergraduates, the JCR works together with the College to raise the money from students, alumni and friends and bring a Reach Oxford Scholar specifically to Merton. The JCR and the College then together contribute towards the costs of a three- or four-year scholarship.

The next Merton Reach Scholar is expected to arrive in autumn 2020, thanks to Merton’s JCR.

Lucy explains how this works. "We had discussions about this in a JCR meeting last October, as our first Reach Oxford Scholar had just graduated. The decision to support it was unanimous. There’s a charge to every student of £3 a term on their battels – not a lot, but over time it mounts up. It was good to have that meeting and tell the freshers about it. They all thought that it’s a great idea to support a student from another country who otherwise would have no hope of coming and studying here."

It’s great to support a student from another country who otherwise would have no hope of coming here

As for Lucy, she is enthusiastic about her course, which enables her to combine her two loves of Classics and German. "It’s quite unusual to do Classics & Modern Languages, but I chose it because I really like both subjects. There are only two of us in the University doing Classics & German, so the course is essentially tailored to me."

Being JCR President adds to her time management skills because, as she understates, "It is busy." The demanding role starts in the summer with organising Freshers’ Week, and continues to be full-on throughout the year.

"But I get so much out of it, including a lot of experience and the opportunity to meet wonderful people. I’ve had to lead and chair quite a few big meetings. So I’m gaining leadership and communication skills, as well as time management."

As for Lucy’s thoughts on Merton? "I love it! That’s why I wanted to run for JCR President. There’s a real sense of community and the level of care within the College is great. In College, I get to have interesting and intelligent conversations with all sorts of people – but that’s not all. The staff are wonderful, and the relationships between staff and students are great. And it’s really beautiful."

• This article appears in With Our Thanks, Merton's annual Donor Report
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