Fitzwilliam’s alumnus Ken Olisa and his wife, Julia, have recently donated £1.4 million to support the college’s new Library and IT centre, opened in 2010.

“The standards that we now provide in this library are envied” – said Christine Roberts Lewis, the college librarian. The new building provides 50% more study spaces and boasts scenic views from its signature landmark – a tower overlooking the college grounds and the University Library.

Ken Olisa came to Fitzwilliam in 1971 to read Natural, Social & Political and Management Sciences, which gave start to his impressive career in technology. He was elected as president of the Fitzwilliam Society, the society of the students and staff of the college, in 1973.

Ken said: “My time at Fitzwilliam was transformative for a state school boy from the poor streets of Nottingham. The College’s welcoming and egalitarian atmosphere and Cambridge’s academic excellence gave me the privileged experiences which underpin my career. It seems only right to repay some of that privilege by helping Fitz and its students to achieve their potential.”

While still at Cambridge, Ken obtained a scholarship from IBM, where he held various posts after leaving the university with a master’s degree. Having worked in Wang Laboratories for over 10 years, acting as general manager of Europe, Africa and the Middle East, he then started two technology merchant banks, Interregnum and Restoration Partners, which he chairs today.

Apart from his work in the industry, Ken holds several charitable positions. Olisa was awarded an OBE last year for his work with homeless people in London. Last year also saw Olisa named as one of the UK’s top ten most influential black men, in the Powerlist 2010.

According to Helen Bettinson, Fitzwilliam’s development director, Ken has remained involved in the college life ever since his graduation in 1974. He has also made smaller contributions to the college library before. In Olisa is a founding member of Fitzwilliam Campaign Council, which fundraises for the college and helps guide its progress.

In recognition of Olisa’s generosity, he has been elected as an 1869 Fellow Benefactor of the college, an honour bestowed on a supporter of “exceptional munificience”.

Fitzwiliam students have welcomed the gift to the new library, which they find ‘a fantastic resource’. “It is a very good time for the college,” said Trisha, a third-year medic.

“The only thing that could be possibly improved is the number of core text copies, especially for first- years,” said Nick, an economics student at Fitzwilliam.