People
Essex student wins place as delegate in US volunteering exchange
An Essex undergraduate was recently chosen, out of several
hundred applicants, to take part in an exclusive exchange trip to the USA
with the Up For Action organisation.
The Up For Action exchange aims to build an international network of
active, community-minded students connected to volunteering and
citizenship. The 2002 exchange will provide an opportunity for British and
American student volunteers to share experiences and discuss volunteering
techniques.
Humanities student Jenny Wilson was one of just 15 students chosen to
attend the exchange in Boston, Massachusetts, where she will give oral and
written presentations and attend a series of lectures. She will also
present a workshop entitled 'Volunteering techniques in student unions in
the UK.'
Jenny Wilson
Jenny was chosen to be one of the UK delegates due to her vast
experience in campaigning and volunteering. She has volunteered actively
within the University and the Students' Union over the past three years
and was also the SU Non-Sabbatical Campaigns Officer in 2000-2001. She has
also recently completed her Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award and is currently
participating in the Millennium Volunteers Award and the University of
Essex Key Skills Award.
Jenny left the UK for the ten-day trip on 8 March and said: 'This is an
excellent opportunity. It will be a fantastic way for me to confirm and
utilise the trainings that I have received whilst attending Essex and I am
very much looking forward to hearing about the experiences of student
volunteers from around the world.'
During the exchange Jenny will also attend a COOL conference in
Atlanta, Georgia. COOL is the largest and most recognised gathering of
student volunteers in the USA and this year will be attended by around
2,500 delegates from around the world. Hosted at Morehouse College - the
Almer Mater of Martin Luther King Jr - the theme of the 2002 conference
will be 'Building the beloved global community.'
On hearing of Jenny's successful application, Vice-Chancellor Professor
Ivor Crewe offered his personal congratulations and said: 'It is a
tremendous achievement to come through against so much competition and I
am sure Jenny will make an excellent ambassador for the University and all
UK universities.'
Jenny will return from the USA on 18 March and hopes to share her
knowledge gained from the exchange with the rest of the University
community via a detailed written report and perhaps a small presentation
or workshop.
Honorary Fellowships to be granted at Court
For the first time in its long history, the annual meeting
of the Court of the University, to be held on 19 April, will this year
host an award ceremony at which two Honorary Fellowships will be granted.
Chosen for their significant contributions to the life and work of the
University, this year's recipients will be Father Michael Butler, former
Roman Catholic Chaplain at the University, and Stanley Thomson, former
Treasurer of the University and member of the University Council.
The main function of Court is to provide a forum for the official
receipt of the University's Annual Review and Statement of Accounts. It
also provides an opportunity to encourage people in the local region to
have an active interest in the University, for them to be formally
associated with it and comment on University affairs.
Consisting of over 300 members, incorporating senior University office
holders, academic staff and students, as well as a range of external
members of the local community, this is the first time any such awards
have been granted at the annual meeting of Court.
The Honorary Fellowship award will take the form of a certificate but
the celebrated individual will also be granted lifelong reading and
borrowing facilities with the Albert Sloman Library.
Also new to this year's Court meeting will be an exhibition in the
Library, attended by all members of the Court, to commemorate the 40th
anniversary of the appointment of Sir Albert Sloman as the University's
first Vice-Chancellor. Members will also be able to view the new
photographic portraits of University Officers.
The exhibition will take place after this year's special events which
include Professor Jules Pretty speaking about 'Good News from the Global
Village,' Dr Steve Sangwine talking about 'Colour Image Processing' and a
tour of the recently opened Sports Centre and Sports Science Laboratory.
Half-Moonwalking
marathon
Alison Pennell from the Academic Section is taking part in
a midnight moonwalk for charity - wearing a decorated bra! Alison has
signed up for the 2002 Playtex Moonwalk in aid of breast cancer. She will
be joining 10,000 women (and men) from across the country to walk 13 miles
around London.
Alison Pennall
The event is taking place at midnight on 11 May and is the world's
biggest power-walking marathon and half-marathon. However what makes it
truly unique is that participants complete the marathon in their bras and
last year raised £2million for cancer charities. This is the first time
Alison has taken part in an event like the Moonwalk and she has been in
training over the past few months in preparation.
Breast cancer affects one in three women in the UK. The money raised
from the Moonwalk will be donated to Breakthrough Breast Cancer for
research into the disease and the Bristol Cancer Help Centre that looks
after those affected by it. Alison needs to raise at least £100 for
breast cancer and is looking for sponsors. If you would like to sponsor
her, Alison can be contacted on ext 4846 or by e-mailing apenn@essex.ac.uk
Also in the printed March edition of Wyvern:
-
Postgraduates receive honours
-
Excellence at Essex is nominated for award
-
Honorary graduands announced
