Donors' generosity celebrated as Annual Fund approaches £1m

Posted Wednesday 29 October 2014

Vice-Chancellor Julius Weinberg interviews postgraduate scholars about what the donations mean to themThere were presentations to postgraduate scholars More than 100 alumni, staff, students and friends gathered at Kingston University's Roehampton Vale campus recently to celebrate the generosity of those who have made donations to the University's Annual Fund and the achievements of the scholars and projects that the fund, in turn, is able to support. Contributions from more than 2,700 people have swelled the fund to around £800,000 with more donations coming in every week.

The campus at Roehampton Vale is the base for the University's engineering activity and the University's innovative Formula Student Team were on hand to talk about their success at Silverstone earlier in the year. The University's electric racing car was on display and guests were also able to examine the University's impressive wind tunnel and flight simulator. Postgraduate students who had received scholarships through the Annual Fund mingled with guests, networking and discussing their ambitions for the future. Scholarships were awarded to 26 students through the fund this year and donors were keen to hear how their donations had supported the students.

Georgia Cockerill, studying a Masters in Sustainable Design, told them: "This scholarship is allowing the financial pressures of real life to recede for a while, and allowing me to focus totally on my subject ... I will never forget the donors who have made that possible."

Vice-Chancellor Professor Julius Weinberg hosted the event, joined by Kingston University's Chancellor Bonnie Greer who spoke on the subject of education and its importance in tackling the immediate and long term challenges of the 21st Century.

Vice-Chancellor Julius Weinberg speaking at 2014's Donor Event

Julius thanked the donors, urged them to take in some of the projects that they were making possible, and to meet some of the scholars whose lives they were changing. Later he said: "It was wonderful to see so many of our alumni and donors enjoying our annual donor event. They experienced and heard about projects as varied as a 160 mph electric motor bike, a hand built device for making furniture from scavenged wood and volunteering with school children in India.

"The projects and the opportunities they give students and staff only exist because of the generosity of donors, the majority of whom are former students, all of whom are part of the Kingston Community. I always enjoy the event as it gives me the opportunity to meet and thank people who, in difficult times, help us do more for our students."

View the photo gallery of the Donor Event.

If you would like to get involved with the Annual Fund or need more information, please contact Jason Barlow, annual fund manager on 020 8417 3112 or at j.barlow@kingston.ac.uk

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