Chapel Quad Named in Honour of Pembroke Alumnus Dr Damon Wells

In 2022, we learned of a transformational legacy left to the College by alumnus and lifelong friend of Pembroke, Dr Damon Wells. Last year, on the occasion of the College’s 400th anniversary, we announced that the Governing Body had resolved to rename the Chapel Quad The Damon Wells Chapel Quad in recognition of his extraordinary generosity.

The Master and Fellows were delighted earlier this term to unveil a stone carving on the South wall of the quad, honouring Damon Wells and formalising the new name.

The Governing Body unveiling the Damon Wells Plaque

Damon arrived at Pembroke from Texas in 1961 to read Modern History. He maintained contact with the College throughout his life and we were the fortunate and grateful recipient of his interest and generosity over many decades. He endowed a Fellowship in Modern History, provided a Fellows’ Travel Fund, endowed the Chaplaincy as well as a fund to support chapel music and choral scholars into the future, funded the restoration of the Chapel on two occasions, contributed to the construction of the Rokos Quad and acted as a patron for the Bridging Centuries Campaign.

Perhaps most significant of all will be his recent legacy, which will transform out College in unprecedented ways. Earlier this year we launched our most ambitious fundraising campaign to date, Imagine Pembroke. The vision of this campaign has only been possible thanks to the confidence and security afforded to us by Damon Wells’ generosity. His legacy has provided an invaluable foundation which frees us to imagine – and to realise - a bold and exciting future for Pembroke.

The Master of Pembroke, Rt Hon Sir Ernest Ryder, reflects: “It is a great honour to recognise so publicly a figure who played such an important part in the Pembroke community, in ways seen and unseen. He will now live on not only in the memory of many in College for whom he was dear friend, but with a fitting and lasting visibility in our buildings.”

Although he was recognised by an election to an Honorary Fellowship in 1984, and the naming of The Damon Wells Chapel in 1997, his modesty meant that the extent of Damon’s support throughout this life went largely unknown. We are pleased to have the opportunity now to recognise publicly the enduring impact he has had, and will continue to have, on the College he loved.