Installation of the Mistress – Dr Elisabeth Kendall

The official ceremony of ‘The Installation of the Mistress’ was held on Monday 3 October 2022 to welcome the 20^th Mistress of Girton College, Dr Elisabeth Kendall. The ceremony was presided over by the College Visitor, Rt Hon the Baroness Hale of Richmond, with over 90 Fellows in attendance.

During the ceremony, Dr Martin Ennis and Professor Margaret Faultless performed some magnificent works by Bach, Scriabin and Tchaikovsky on piano and violin. The Mistress was presented with a copy of the College Statutes and made the following pledge, witnessed by the Girton Fellowship:

“I, Elisabeth Kendall, elected Mistress of Girton College, do hereby promise that I will faithfully perform the duties of this office with care and diligence, observe the College Statutes, and in all things endeavour to promote the honour and wellbeing of the College as a place of education, learning, and research.”

Dr Kendall was then invited by the Praelector, Dr Simone Maghenzani, to sign the College Register. 

The new Mistress said “This was a joyous occasion that instilled a deep sense of both honour and duty. I feel greatly privileged to have been elected to steer and serve such a pioneering institution over the coming years.” 

The Vice-Mistress commented: “We are delighted to formally install Dr Kendall as the 20^th Mistress of Girton College and know she will continue to uphold the distinctive values of the College. We wish her well as she settles into her new role and responsibilities.”

Thank you to all those involved in performing and organising the private event: the College Visitor, Lady Hale; The Vice-Mistress, Dr Hilary Marlow; The Senior Fellow among the Electors, Professor Abigail Fowden; The Junior Fellow among the Electors, Dr Matthew Neal; the Praelectors, The Revd Dr Charlie Bell and Dr Simone Maghenzani; the Mistress’s Office; House Services and Girton College Catering staff.

The ceremony was concluded by a celebratory dinner with speeches.

You can view moments from the ceremony and dinner below via our Flickr album:

^{Photographs taken by Phil Mynott. © Girton College, Cambridge (UK).}