Dani O’Hagan (1986 – 2021)

It is with great sadness that I announce the death of Danielle (Dani) O’Hagan, who passed away on 6th February after a courageous battle with cancer.

Dani joined the University in 2006, studying BA Combined Honours in Arts, followed by MA Theology, and quickly became a prominent member of the St John’s College community. Dani was passionate about staff and students working together to build communities and allow people to flourish and was one of the few students to be awarded honorary life membership of the JCR for her contribution to the college.

After pursuing a career in the charity sector in London, Dani was delighted to return to the University in 2016 to work as part of Recruitment and Admissions in the Academic Office. Dani remained a valued member of the St John’s community that she loved, becoming a resident tutor in 2018.

Dani’s contribution to Recruitment and Admissions was broad. She worked as Admissions Supervisor, where she supported her colleagues to be the best they can be, providing them with endless words of kindness and encouragement. With her inspiring commitment to “making a difference” for both our applicants and staff, Dani progressed to become Deputy Admissions Officer and worked as part of the successful Recruiting the Next Generation of Students (RNGS) programme, ensuring individuals were ready and trained to become part of the new centralised team. When Dani subsequently took up a role as CRM Campaigns Officer, she led a piece of work defining the University’s “tone of voice”, which underpins how the organisation now communicates with applicants, parents and teachers.

Dani was best known for her terrific sense of humour, for radiating empathy and warmth and for her focus on the greater good. Dani was never afraid to speak up with ideas and thoughts of her own and on behalf of others and her support and encouragement of other people, even in the midst of her own illness, was remarkable. She believed that work should be fun and she made it so. Dani is a shining example of generosity of spirit, courage and joy, and she will always hold an important place in the heart of both the Academic Office and St John’s College.

Our thoughts and condolences go to Dani’s family and friends at this time.

Our Fellows

Nicola (Nicky) Seal (1964 – 2024)

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David Paul King (1936 – 2023)

Somerset born and bred, Paul was educated at Wells Cathedral School. Somerset was always in his thoughts and he felt a close connection to his roots and his beloved Somerset Cricket team! Another keen interest throughout his life was in the Peninsular Wars and Paul undertook much reading and researc

Suzy Ferguson (née Carter) (1981 – 2012)

Suzy’s time at St John’s was extraordinarily active and passionate, involving herself in many student endeavours with the college and university alike. Suzy was a member of the Bear Witness Theatre Company, where she produced Godspell, sang in student choirs, was a member of the Christian Union,

Keith Batchelor (1950 – 2024)

Sadly I have to inform you of the passing of Keith Batchelor (Combined Arts,1969-72) on 8 December 2024, aged 74, following a few years’ of illness. After graduating from St John’s, Keith returned to his hometown of Birmingham as a trainee social worker before pursuing an MA in Social Work at No

James (Jimmy) Dunn (1939 – 2020)

Professor James (Jimmy) Dunn was a distinguished New Testament scholar, former Lightfoot Professor of Divinity at Durham University, and a longstanding friend of St John’s College and the Wesley Study Centre. During his years in Durham, from 1980 until his retirement to Chichester, he was a famili

Roger Pratt (1947 – 2025)

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Richard (Dick) Haigh (1930 – 2024)

We have learnt that St John’s alumnus Richard (Dick) Haigh passed away on 29 May 2024 at the age of 93. Richard attended St John’s College in 1954 to take a BA degree in Social Studies and later a Diploma in Theology. He was ordained at Christmas 1959 to the parish of Stanwix, Carlisle, where he

Anthony Thiselton (1937 – 2023)

The College is sad to hear the news of the death of Rev Professor Anthony Thiselton FBA who was Principal of St John’s from 1988 to 1992. He was one of the leading biblical scholars of his generation, where his main contribution was in the area of hermeneutics but he had a wide range of interests

Tom McLeish (1962 – 2023)

It is with great sadness that the College heard of the death of Professor Tom McLeish. Tom was for many years a great friend to the College and long time co-investigator on our Equipping Christian Leadership in an Age of Science (ECLAS) project. Tom founded the project with the Principal and contrib

Mally Yates (1931 – 2023)

The College is saddened to hear of the death of Mally Yates at the age of 92. Mally was one of the most influential people in the history of St John’s. With the admission of female theology students to Cranmer Hall in 1966, Mally was appointed as a new member of staff to care for the new students