SRU History @ Wroxton College : Oxford & Oxford University

(Brenda & AJ)

SRU Wroxton College Summer '13 (Not pictured: Dr. Paradis)

Oxford, one of the most historic cities in England, is widely known for Oxford University. Oxford University is one of the most prestigious universities in Europe. Made up of 38 individual colleges, Oxford University takes up the majority of the city of Oxford. To some, the concept of 38 colleges forming a University might be confusing. OU is unique in the way that each student that is enrolled here attends an individual college, for example the Christ Church College which specializes in producing graduates who have entered the professions within politics or another of the colleges: Magdalen College which specializes in Art. A couple of other colleges visited by the SRU group were; All Souls College and the Queens College. One fascinating thing is that each college has a quadrangle. This is the quadrangle at Christ's Church College:

One sight sure to behold is the Bodleian Library at Oxford University. The Library is built above the old divinity school of Oxford. The main class room of the Divinity School is beautiful and its architecture is fascinating. The most fascinating part of the school room is the ceiling. Each section told a different part of the buildings history from its donors to the master stone mason himself, all had their own shields and characteristics added within the gorgeous stone work.

William Penn, Founder of Pennsylvania

Christ's Church College, Oxford University

Christ's Church College also has beautiful ceilings and architecture that can be seen. The most exciting aspect here though is not necessarily the architecture, although it is fascinating to behold, but the dining room brings a different crowd of a magical sort. The Dining rooms at Christ Church College as well as some of the hallways and stairs were used in the filming of J.K. Rawlings Harry Potter movies. Many fans of the movies make a trip just to see the room for this occasion. However while taking in all the magical essence of the occasion, the group stumble upon a piece of Pennsylvania History. William Penn’s portrait hangs in the great hall or the dining room at Christ Church College. For you Pennsylvanians, William Penn attended Christ College until he was expelled from the entire university for practicing beliefs contrary to the church such as the Quaker religion.