St Hilda's College
Joanna Rose was the founding Chair and driving force behind the creation of the American Friends of St Hilda's in January 1989. Her leadership, alongside the efforts of the Board members, helped unite hundreds of American alumnae and raised significant funds for the College over the years. Joanna was deeply respected and loved within the St Hilda's and wider university community.
In folklore, ammonites are known as "snake stones." Legend has it that St Hilda of Whitby turned a plague of snakes into stone. This is why some ammonites in museum collections have carved snake heads, and why fossils are often depicted in stained glass windows.
St Hilda, a patron saint of learning and culture, is frequently symbolised by ammonites or coiled snakes, which appear in the crests of schools and colleges bearing her name, including St Hilda's College.
Below is the collection of ammonites generously bequeathed to St Hilda's College by alumna and Honorary Fellow, Joanna Rose (Semel, English, 1952).
