2022 winners Jamie Cole (top) and Sanjana Chopra (bottom).
2022 Volunteers of the Year named!
After a tough decision making process, the Alumni Volunteers of the Year for 2022 have been announced.
Staff, students and fellow alumni all came forward to nominate alumni volunteers involved in an array of projects both in the UK and internationally. The judging panel, made up of representatives of all the above groups, are delighted to announce this year’s winners:
Debbie Hill Award for the Exceptional Support of Students
2022’s winner is Sanjana Chopra (Management with Marketing, 2014) for volunteering her time for the Career Ready Programme, helping the Indian Exeter Alumni Association committee, supporting Employability events and pre-departure events, as well as the UEBS EQUIS reaccreditation participation. Sanjana has also helped to set up the India Exeter Alumni Association Instagram page, which promotes events and opportunities to our Indian alumni.
David Watson, Head of Alumni and Supporter Engagement, said: "Sanjana has supported a wide range of activity in India over many years and is an excellent example of the breadth of support our volunteers provide to Exeter. She has assisted our alumni, current students and encouraged the next generation of students to choose the University of Exeter for their studies. This diversity of our student community is very important to the future of our University and we’re grateful to Sanjana for the amazing work she does through her volunteering that cultivates this and also fosters a thriving, supportive, community for our alumni in India.”
Sanjana said: "I'd like to thank the University of Exeter and the alumni engagement team for this award. I am honoured and grateful to be a part of the alumni volunteer community because of the University's exceptional support to their alumni around the globe. This award means a lot to me and I'm grateful for this recognition by my fellow alumni, the alumni engagement team as well as the University. Not many universities place the same value on their alumni's personal commitment as the University of Exeter does and I feel privileged to continue to work for a university that values and encourages its alumni whilst also appreciating their time."
Nicholas Bull Award for the Exceptional Support of the Alumni Community.
2022’s winner is Jamie Cole (Mathematics, 1987) for volunteering his time to supervise MBA projects, provide guest lectures on modules, help steer the IBM/Exeter relationship and chair the MBA Corporate Advisory Board as well as being a critical friend to IIB in the development of new data opportunities.
David Watson, Head of Alumni and Supporter Engagement, said: "In his volunteering Jamie has gone above and beyond in his support of the Business School, alumni and students, and the impact of his time has truly enhanced their learning experiences. The University of Exeter’s corporate partnerships are of significant benefit to students in their studies and the involvement of our alumni in leveraging these is extremely important for the future of the University. Your support has been amazing and we are very grateful for it and all you do year on year.”
Jamie said: “I am delighted and humbled to receive the Nicholas Bull Volunteer award for the contribution I make to the University. It is such a pleasure as the partnership executive at IBM for Exeter University to help maintain the breadth of relationship between IBM and the University of Exeter. I can help bring together our research teams, see new employees & interns come into IBM from Exeter. We have worked on joint projects and brought IBM’s technical, business, and commercial capabilities to support teaching at Exeter. Personally, it gives me immense pleasure to give something back to an organisation that gave me so much as a young undergraduate.”
Congratulations also go to the other shortlisted alumni in both categories. You can view the full list shortlist online.
The awards are named in honour of two long-standing alumni volunteers, formally recognising the commitment and support that they have given the University over many years. For more information visit the website.
Date: 7 June 2022