An Evening at High Table with Queen's College
Some places explain themselves, Queen’s College has to be felt.
Earlier this year, we collaborated with Queen’s College to put its story into words, within its Strategic Framework. On Thursday 8 October, we saw it come to life.
Our Marketing Manager, Molly, and Senior Designer, Hakim, were invited to the Collegians’ Dinner, the College’s annual celebration of its residents and the year they’ve shared. It is one of the few nights that captures the feel of Queen’s better than any document ever could. We knew that going in, yet the night still surpassed everything we’d imagined.
Black tie and academic gowns
The evening began at 5.30 pm with drinks in the Eakins Foyer, a beautifully formal sea of black tie, evening wear and full academic gowns. A room full of students who had spent the year living, studying and growing together, bound by friendships and a shared College life, now dressed for the occasion and wearing it well.
Conversation came easily. Students introduced themselves before we had the chance to, asked what brought us there, and wanted to know what we thought of their College. It set the tone for everything that followed.
At 6 pm, the procession to High Table began. A particular kind of quiet settled over the room as tradition took hold, first with a respectful Acknowledgement of Country, then introductions, where we were honoured to receive a special mention, before the quiet lifted and the buzzing conversation returned.
A seat at High Table
Eakins Dining Hall is grand in the way only a room built for gathering can be. Tall windows, a sculpted timber ceiling, long tables running the length of the hall, and warm light over every one of them.
We were lucky enough to be seated at High Table, alongside the outgoing student committee, senior staff, the President of Council and the Head of the Alumni Society. It was a privilege, and a rare view of the College from the people who know it best.
Over three courses, we heard stories of the year: the classic Queen’s corridor sit that runs late into the night, volleyball played by rules that change as fast as the ball moves, opening nights, final whistles, and the friendships that grew out of all of it. Every story pointed back to the same thing: at Queen’s, you don’t wait for a seat, you sit wherever there’s room, and you’re welcome there.
A year worth celebrating
Then came the awards. Academic excellence, music, drama, sport. Name after name, achievement after achievement, each met with applause that was loud, warm and completely genuine. Cheers just as big for the effort behind each award as for the result.
And at Queen’s, celebration isn’t only clapping. Spoons hammered against the timber tables, a College tradition that has left the tabletops scattered with divots, each one a small record of nights just like this. Chants rose and fell around the hall, and of course, we joined in.
The centrepiece of the night was Collegian of the Year. It isn’t simply an award for the most decorated resident. It recognises the student from the Middle or Junior Common Room who has best embodied the values of Queen’s and given the most to its community.
Watching the room rise for it told us everything we needed to know about Queen’s. This is a College that measures success by contribution, and celebrates it together.
Queen’s at its best
What stayed with us most was the students: curious, intelligent, funny and polite, articulate beyond their years and always quick to make room for others. Proud of their own achievements, and prouder still of each other’s.
Queen’s earned its name as the egalitarian college generations ago. On the night, it was easy to see why. Excellence here isn’t the point on its own, it’s what you do with it, and who you bring along.
Our sincere thanks to Dr Michael Stepniak, Master and Head of College, for welcoming us so generously, and to Michèle Mulder, Director, Executive Office, and her team for making the evening feel effortless from the moment we arrived.
Thank you also to the students, staff and guests who shared their table, their stories and their College with us. You made two visitors feel like part of the community, which is perhaps the most Queen’s thing of all.
Building together
The evening marked the start of something new. Building on our Strategic Framework, Principle Design and Queen’s College are entering an ongoing partnership.
The aim is simple: to work alongside the Queen’s team as an extension of its own capability, bringing greater consistency, momentum and clarity to the College’s brand and marketing.
The College motto is Aedificamus in aeternum, we build for eternity. After one night at High Table, we understand it truly now. And we’re glad to be building alongside them.
