Students who shine
7 May 2014
Last night it was my privilege to speak at the NTU Student Volunteer awards. It was a fantastic night of wine, dinner and celebration to thank the hundreds of students who give up their time to help others.
It’s really humbling to see all the work which is done, from teaching local children to offering a pro-bono legal service, from offering to help the older generation (including one lady of 95) with technology to support children who have been bereaved. It was really amazing to see all of these students who do this work – and it’s not just a little – it clocked up 40,000 hours over the last academic year.
I think it epitomises what NTU is about. Not just studying to help ourselves but giving to help others, the wider community. I’m always immensely proud of alumni who give back to society but to see what our students are doing is absolutely superb. I know this has been going on for a long time – indeed the pro bono group is marking a decade of success - but the current crop of student volunteers really opened my eyes to what is going on at NTU right now.
It really was an honour to meet them all.
Also this week I was absolutely thrilled to be asked to open a luxury cat hotel. For those of you who don’t know, I’m a cat lover and the welfare of these wonderful animals is very important to me.
I was delighted to be contacted by Letty Glaister (LLB Hons Law 2000) who, as well as working as a solicitor, has launched the Longcroft Royston Cat Hotel. Set in beautiful countryside it is a lovely place for our feline friends to enjoy a break. Letty’s passion was clear to see and it was wonderful to see an alumna fulfilling their dream.
I’m now planning ahead for the next series of graduations in July and the installation of our new Chancellor, Kevin Cahill, and very much looking forward to being back in Nottingham for that.
Keep in touch!
Stephen