Places I’ve Been: New College Oxford (Reverend Spooner and Kate Beckinsale)

Back in the summer of 1977, I had the pleasure of studying at New College Oxford as part of an Ohio State program for eight weeks. I’ve since learned that New College was the alma mater of the good Reverend Spooner, an albino who was prone to verbal gaffes, especially switching the first letters of successive words. I also learned that New College is the alma mater of actress Kate Beckinsale. Sad to say, Ms. Beckinsale’s path and mine have never crossed. If they do, I’ll be tempted to tell her that we have something in common. Then I will ask “Bate Keckinsale” what it is.