Seven University students will be presented with prizes at a ceremony to be held today (Thursday 24 May) to reward their outstanding contributions to the Loughborough community.
Professor Shirley Pearce, Vice Chancellor will present T S Shipman prizes to two students and the Hannah Community Prize to five students. She will be joined at the ceremony - taking place at John Storer House - by Charnwood Borough Council Mayor, Joe Tormey and representatives from Charnwood CVS.
The TS Shipman Prize is for students of the University or College who are considered to have contributed most to the development of co-operation and aid between the University or College and the local community.
Fiona Jamieson, a final year student from the School of Sport and Exercise Science and Ian Mason, a final year student from the Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering will receive their awards in recognition of their volunteering activities. Both have been volunteers with the Student Union Community Action section since their first year. They will receive certificates and a financial prize.
Fiona has contributed significantly to the development of the Sports Action Team. She joined the section in its infancy and today, thanks to her effort and commitment, it has flourished to be one of the most successful aspects of Community Action. Seven new projects have been developed and introduced by Fiona, including Running Action in conjunction with Charnwood Arts, where volunteers go running weekly with local residents who have mild mental health conditions. Other projects currently operated by Sports Action include the Action Football Team that works to promote racial integration with local youths and sports mentoring where volunteers work with teenage elite sports personalities to assist their training as well as their social and academic development.
Ian Mason has also been an integral part of Community Action. He has taken on the role of Project Leader for a whole host of Action projects including coordinating volunteers to visit Ashmount School and organising the befriending scheme for the National Autistic Society. This year Ian took on the challenge of leading the 'Kids Trips' project which offers day trips for children who are referred to Community Action by Social Services. In addition Ian has been an invaluable member of the Kids Camp Team which takes groups of local young carers to the Derbyshire Dales for a week of residential fun consisting of activities and day trips.
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.
The joint recipients of the 2007 prize are: David Burton (Wolfson School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering), Jo Cheetham (Department of Social Sciences) Victoria Cope, Ben Hanson and Carl Rowley (all from the Department of Aeronautical and Automotive Engineering).
These students have shown respect for the community in which they live and have been described as 'the perfect neighbours'. As well as being friendly, courteous and considerate to their neighbours, they were thoughtful and caring following a neighbour's bereavement, expressing sympathy and providing support.
Certificates will also be presented to Scott Ferry (Department of Aeronautical and Automotive Engineering) and Rachel Hodgson (Loughborough School of Art and Design). Scott has been involved in a number of volunteer projects as well as being treasurer of Loughborough Students RAG and a co-project leader for the Right to Read Scheme. Rachel has successfully combined a full studio-based degree programme with voluntary activities. She has worked for Charnwood Independent Youth Action, a hostel for homeless young people and for Action Homeless in Leicester providing cover in four of their hostels.
Professor Pearce comments: "We are very proud of the contribution our students make to the Borough. 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."
