At the time of Mike Nicholson’s retirement from teaching in 2011, Professor Alex Wöll, Lecturer in Czech Studies at Univ in 2007–9, and now Professor of Central and Eastern European Literatures and Cultures at the University of Potsdam, wrote:

“When I first met Mike Nicholson at my Univ job interview, from the beginning I got the impression that I was now in the magic circle of Gandalf himself. I was delighted: this last of the wizards with his white beard and his red magic gown was Dean at Univ! Quite like Gandalf against the Black Riders, Mike always had to fight for his students to solve their problems from accommodation to discipline. Whenever they heard that he was in charge to help them, or that he would supervise a party, one could hear a delirium of joy through the quads…

“From his gleaming eyes one understood how mundane everyday life was transformed…[by the force of his personality], enchanting and banishing all sad thoughts, grief, and boredom.

“Mike was the best colleague I’ve ever had. His outstanding character, sense of duty, helpfulness, and humanity will always be and remain role models for me. All the very best for your last journey, great friend.”

You can read Professor Alex Wöll’s full tribute here and the University’s appreciative message in memoriam, noting his formidable academic achievements, here.

In recognition of Mike’s enormous contribution to so many areas of College life, we propose to establish in his memory the Dr Michael Nicholson Prize.

This annual prize, which will be subject to competitive application, will support financially the best proposals brought forward by undergraduate and graduate students for new and one-off activities which will contribute to and enhance the life of the whole College community at Univ.

Proposals might be musical, sporting, artistic, socially enterprising, or indeed of some entirely novel nature. The key quality of the prize-winning entries will be that they bring an innovative and imaginative approach to the task, and that they benefit the whole Univ community. We hope that in designing and implementing their schemes, prize-winners will benefit from considerable personal and professional development.

We think that Mike would be proud to be remembered in this way.

Your gift will help to establish the prize, and by this to ensure that the all-important social bonds of the College community are maintained alongside our continuing academic achievements.

Contributions of any size will be very much appreciated.

Make your gift online
On the Univ website.

Make your gift by post
Contact The Development, Communications and Alumni Relations Office (DCAR), University College, High Street, Oxford OX1 4BH, email development@univ.ox.ac.uk or call +44 (0)1865 276 674.

Contact us
If you have any questions at all please contact Martha Cass on +44 (0)1865 276 958 or email Martha.Cass@univ.ox.ac.uk

Thank you.