Reid Kelly, Esq.

I am leaving a bequest to Cambridge simply because it is the best school in the world. I do not take that phrase lightly, as I have attended four other institutions of higher education, two of which at the postgraduate level—and one of which happens to be the “other” university in England. I am leaving a bequest only to Cambridge.

I became transfixed with the idea of going to Cambridge after watching Chariots of Fire. For those too young to remember that movie, a central scene was a race to run around the Great Court of Trinity College faster than the time it takes the College clock to strike the hour of twelve. According to lore, legend and the movie, Harold Abrahams, of Gonville and Caius College, succeeded.

Therefore, when the opportunity arose for me to attend Trinity College, I could not resist. No aspect of my stay disappointed. I was lucky enough to have the late Chief Justice of the United States, William Rehnquist, as my professor for U.S. Constitutional History. I was just as fortunate to have two Cambridge dons instruct me in other legal courses, including Professor Catherine Barnard, who was not only a first-rate professor and scholar, but an incredibly decent and kind human. I wrote to her shortly after CAM magazine featured her in an article about Brexit in order to congratulate her. Faster than Harold Abrahams, she wrote me back. That speaks volumes of how Cambridge treats its alums.

Back to the important matter of running, yes, I joined the Hare and Hounds cross country running team. One could not ask for a finer group of talented athletes—all ladies and gentlemen. (I suppose my one disappointment at Cambridge was that my crush on one of the lady runners failed to amount to anything, but I cannot blame Cambridge for that!)

Cambridge holds a special place in my heart. I’m including Cambridge in America in my will, with the request that the bequest will be distributed to Trinity College so that others may carve their own experiences out of this great institution.