Information on Loughborough

Loughborough University honours students for their community contributions

Posted on 14/05/2008
P. Klein

athletics

At a ceremony to be held today (Wednesday 14 May 2008) Loughborough University will recognise and reward its students who have taken part in community activities and made outstanding contributions to the local area. In total 11 students will be honoured with prizes and commendations.

Professor Shirley Pearce, Vice Chancellor will present the prizes in a ceremony taking place at John Storer House. She will be joined by Charnwood Borough Council Mayor, Councillor Stephen Campbell, other local Councillors and representatives from Charnwood CVS.

Two students will receive The TS Shipman Prize. This is for students of the University or College who are considered to have contributed most to the development of co-operation and aid between Loughborough University or College and the local community.

Ryan Storr, a student from the Department of Geography and Scott Ferry, a student from the Department of Aeronautical and Automotive Engineering will receive their awards in recognition of their volunteering activities. They will receive certificates and a financial prize.

Ryan has carried out a range of work in the local community primarily through sporting activities. He has been the Sports Action co-ordinator in the Community Action section of the Students’ Union, a role which required him to oversee and run all sport-related volunteering opportunities. Specific projects he has organised include a running activity for people with mild mental health problems and a mentoring scheme with gifted and talent sporting students from Burleigh College

He has also continued to be an active volunteer himself!

In nominating him, Dr Joanna Bullard from the Department of Geography said: “Ryan is unfailingly enthusiastic and cheerful and very much devoted to helping other people achieve their best.”

Scott has also been an integral part of Community Action and has been the driving force behind the implementation of a new project this year called Number Partners. This initiative, run in conjunction with the Loughborough Extended Schools Services and Leicestershire Cares, helps local school children improve their numeracy skills. Scott has also been part of the Kids Camp team which organise a residential trip for young carers.

Haseeb Malik, Action Chair of Loughborough Students Union nominated Scott. He said: “Scott has gone beyond the call of duty to serve his student peers and community residents.”

Certificates of commendation will also be presented to Chris Morris from the Department of Information Science for his achievements as a committee member of the Students’ Union Community Action section and Rory Smith from the Department of Geography for his work in the community teaching lifesaving skills to local children via various workshops.

The second award, The Hannah Community Prize, is specifically to recognise students’ contribution to local community life, acts of kindness or good neighbourliness. The Prize is in memory of a former student, Mr George Alexander Hannah and the financial reward for the winners comes from funds bequeathed to the University in his memory.

Stefan Carney, a student from the Department of Politics, International Relations and European Studies will receive this award for his support given to an individual member of the community, his voluntary work with the community and for his involvement with a residents group.

In nominating him, Stuart Mitchell of the Storer Area Residents Group said: “Stef contributes actively to community life and we are all enriched by this.”

The assessor panel for this award also agreed that the good works of a further eight students should be acknowledged and six of these will receive certificates of commendation at the ceremony. They are: members of a student household, for acts of good neighbourliness; Haishi Mu and Gaiyan Wang, for their contribution to local community life through voluntary work at a local church and acts of kindness to others in the community.

Speaking on behalf of the panel of assessors Adrian Bailey, Community Warden said: “We were delighted to receive a large number of high quality nominations this year. It can only be good news that so many students are contributing so selflessly to Loughborough’s community.”

Professor Shirley Pearce, Vice Chancellor of Loughborough University comments: “Many of our students contribute a great deal to the Borough during their stay. All the students being rewarded today deserve recognition for their outstanding achievements and we are delighted to be able to reward their efforts. They are model students and an example for all.”