The 65-year-old was having lunch at the Bear, one of Oxford’s oldest pubs, situated between Pembroke and Oriel Colleges and built in 1242, when three OxTrad deans were informed of his presence, and rushed to meet him! A number of OxTrad students also took photos with him outside of the pub upon hearing he was in town.

Woodstock Academy Senior Erica Martin (5th from right)

Mr President Clinton was visiting Oxford as part of the Re/Source 2012 forum, a conference which discusses global resources and related environmental issues, as well as visiting his daughter as she undertakes her DPhil at University College.

Some things never change – Bill Clinton

The former president dined on tomato soup, whilst welcoming discussion with staff on the current political climate, the importance of teaching, as well as more personal matters, such as his time at Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar and his current philosophy on fitness, diet and long life. After nostalgically reflecting on the atmosphere of the pub and the University, Clinton remarked, “Some things never change.”

Claire Logsdon, a Dean at Oriel College, said the former President “spent 20 minutes talking education policy with the three of us, who are teachers.” He labelled teaching “the noblest of professions,” and thanked the three for being teachers. The three concluded, “It was one of the highlights of our personal and professional lives!”