In the long tradition of philanthropy in Cambridge, Clare Hall alumnus Steven Lu, reflecting on the huge value that College membership and a prestigious Cambridge EMBA have brought to him, is determined to raise funds for the Collegiate University. Wonderfully for us, Clare Hall is his top priority.

Steven’s Clare Hall life began with Matriculation into Clare Hall’s EMBA cohort in September 2022. He immersed himself in the studiedly non-hierarchical, vigorously interdisciplinary environment. He explained that he developed a profound sense of belonging and responsibility toward the institution that provided him with such a vibrant intellectual home.

“Clare Hall is a rare sanctuary for truth-seeking conversations and a warm home for elite scholars from around the globe,” Steven recalls. “The moment I walked through its doors, I knew I wanted to ensure that future generations of global scholars could experience this same transformative academic environment.”

He turned this gratitude into dynamic action in early 2024 by launching the “Cycling for Diversity and Inclusion” campaign. Cycling the 60-mile distance from London to Cambridge with a team of Cambridge students, Steven captured the imagination of alumni and friends, successfully raising over £10,000 to support diversity and inclusion initiatives at Clare Hall.

Steven realised that the bicycle ride had triggered a similar sense of loyalty and interest in giving back amongst his peers. He recognised a powerful opportunity to align the rising philanthropic aspirations of Asia with Clare Hall’s legacy of advanced research. Over the next two years, Steven volunteered his time to serve as a vital ambassador for the College across major Asian hubs.

In March 2024, he accompanied the President of Clare Hall and the Director of Development in an official delegation to meet senior leadership at Tsinghua University’s Schwarzman College in Beijing. He has been instrumental in introducing prominent, visionary Hong Kong entrepreneurial families to the College, who have subsequently become significant benefactors and mentors to its development activities. He has helped assemble alumni gatherings in Shanghai and mediated the invitations to prominent Chinese academics, not least Professor David Li Daokui of Tsinghua, to give the 2025 Tanner Lecture. China and Southeast Asia will see the largest transfer of wealth between the generations in history over the next ten to fifteen years. Steven has introduced the College to a circle of wealthy parents to help their children navigate the responsibilities to come.

In short, Steven’s stewardship has achieved, within just two years of his graduation, over £1.5 million in cumulative philanthropic commitments for Clare Hall.

To transform these milestone achievements into a sustainable, structured legacy, Steven has formalised his vision. In close alignment with Clare Hall, he has officially stepped forward as the founder of The Enlightenment Foundation. Headquartered in Singapore as a grant-making organisation, the Foundation is designed to institutionalise and permanently scale philanthropic support coming from Asia.

The Enlightenment Foundation has set an initial capitalisation target of £1 million to support fellowships, research initiatives, and truth-seeking conversations under Clare Hall’s Advanced Studies framework. Demonstrating robust momentum, the Foundation has already secured over £500,000 in firm donor commitments toward its inaugural launch phase.

“Steven’s commitment demonstrates the positive impact that alumni and Life Members can have when they become active partners in Clare Hall’s future. Through his advocacy and dedication to the College, we are already seeing transformative benefits for our academic community and global reach. I hope his example inspires others to consider how they too can help shape the next chapter of Clare Hall’s story.”  — Francé Davies, Director of Development, Clare Hall

Join Us in Shaping the Next Chapter

For Steven, the ultimate reward is seeing how collective giving can secure the future of global scholarship. “Advanced study and truth-seeking conversations are effective ways for our civilisation to evolve,” he reflects. “Every contribution, whether a seed donation or a foundational endowment, directly empowers a scholar who might change the world.”

It is not unusual for Oxbridge college alumni to set up regional, even continental initiatives to encourage philanthropic support for their college. The Enlightenment Foundation sets a precedent for Clare Hall alumni across the globe. Those who wish to learn more about supporting Clare Hall or to explore other ways of engaging with the College’s work are warmly invited to contact the Development Office at development@clarehall.cam.ac.uk.