Churchill College

Churchill College was founded in 1958 and granted full college status in 1966 and, as the name suggests, was founded as a memorial to Sir Winston Churchill. It was the first all male college to decide to admit female students and saw its first mixed intake in 1972.

The foundation of the college was inspired by MIT and as such Churchill has a strong math's, engineering and science bias amongst the undergraduate population. This has given it a (not unfounded) reputation of being a college for geeks.

Location

Churchill is situated on a large site on Storeys Way on the outskirts of Cambridge. Close to the physics, mathematics and astronomy departments. The majority of the buildings were completed by 1968 and are, unfortunately, typical of 60's constructions.

The construction of the chapel raised considerable controversy: several fellows, including Francis Crick (of DNA fame) felt that a modern scientifically minded institution should not contain a religious building. A compromise was reached and the chapel was built on the other side of the vast site to the rest of the college buildings and is funded and managed separately from the rest of the College. Tactfully it is referred to as "the Chapel at Churchill College".

Churchillians claim that only real men wear pink

As a result of Crick's protests Winston Churchill reputedly wrote to him, saying that no-one need enter the chapel except under free will so it need not be a problem. Crick replied with a letter containing some money saying "if that is the case, here are 10 guineas for the establishment of a brothel"!

The Churchill rowers are a sight to behold - their tight lycra outfits are in a wonderful shade - hot pink. Churchillians claim that only real men wear pink.

Famous alumni

Famous alumni include Bjarne Stroustrup (inventor of C++) and mathematician Neil Turok.

For more information about the college and their opening times please visit their website