An Admissions Co-ordinator who was the ‘rock’ of her department has retired after spending 13 years welcoming hundreds of new students to Cambridge.
Felicity Macdonald-Smith, pictured, joined Newnham College in 2003 and was the first point of contact for prospective students. She gave tours around the pioneering women’s college and offered advice on applications as well as sending out the coveted offer letters.
She was also part of some major changes to the admissions process, including when the University moved from paper to electronic applications and the introduction of AS levels. The disappearance of the AS module marks this year also had a big impact on her work, as did the introduction of written assessments for the next admissions round which is about to start.
A retirement party was combined with a coffee morning to raise money for Macmillan and £125 was donated to the charity.
Dr Sam Lucy, Director of Admissions for Cambridge University and Admissions Tutor at Newnham said: “Felicity has been the rock of the Admissions Office for the last thirteen years.
“Often the first point of contact for prospective applicants, she has made sure that everyone has been given the information they need at all the different stages in the Admissions process. Her organisational skills are unparalleled, and we will miss her hugely!”
Former students also paid tribute to Felicity on social media.
Hannah Jones tweeted: “None of the other colleges gave me as personal and informative a tour as @felicityms – the reason I applied to Newnham!”
Felicity, who previously worked for the World Association of Girl Guides & Girl Scouts, lives in Cambridge and as a keen linguist she is planning to spend more time in France during her retirement.
She is also going to devote her time to volunteering and is starting as she means to go on by working as a steward at the Festival of Ideas later this month.
Felicity, on the far right, with guests at her retirement celebration
Staff and Fellows baked cakes and donated to Macmillan at the coffee morning which was organised to mark Felicity’s retirement from the College after 13 years
Dr Sam Lucy, Newnham’s Admissions Tutor and Director of Admissions for Cambridge University, gave a speech to thank Felicity
Felicity outside the Senate House greeting students as they graduate – she was the first point of contact for prospective students