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AluminationMarch 2011 | The magazine of the York St John Alumni Society
Issue 11 | University news | James Caan | Volunteering in Haiti | Success stories
Special edition
York St John welcomes new Vice Chancellor
Graduation 2010 International news
Contents
Alumni Development Office news 3
University news snippets 4-5
Haiti – one year on 6-7
Alumni profile 8
Student profile 9
Business School news 10-11
Students’ Union news 12-13
Alumni profile 14
York St John Rowing Club 15
Alumni Business Success stories 16-17
YSJ Connect 17
Faculty of Arts news 18-19
YSJ welcomes its new VC 20-21
Faculty of Education & Theology news 22-23
Alum of the Year 24
Graduation 2009 & Life More Abundant 25
Graduation 2010 26-27
Alumni profile 28-29
International news 30-31
Student profile 32-33
Association news 34
Ripon news 35
Faculty of Health & Life Sciences news 36-37
Career Development 38
Facts and figures 39
2
Editorial Team
BrettArnall Editor,Alumni&DevelopmentManager
JohnMaw Editor,WhiteRose,HonoraryFellow
KateHutchings Editorialconsultant,Alumni&Development Officer
JudithCoates Editorialconsultant,MarketingOfficerAmyHey PR&CommunicationsOfficer CraigWalton GraphicDesigner
PhotographyMarketingDepartment
AssociationPublicityOfficer
AlumniDevelopmentOffice
TheEditorialteamwouldliketothankallthosewhohavecontributedtothispublication.TheopinionsexpressedinAluminationdonotnecessarilyreflecttheviewsoftheAlumniDevelopmentOfficeorYorkStJohnUniversity.
A warm welcome to issue 11 from the Chair of Governors
I’mdelightedtowelcomeyoutoissue11ofAlumination.After12years
ofhappyassociationwithYorkStJohnmytermofofficeontheBoardof
GovernorswilldrawtoacloseinAugust2011.Thisperiodhasmarked
somegreatchangesbutIwilllookbackon2010asatrulymemorable
timefortheUniversity.WesaidgoodbyetoProfessorDianneWillcocks
wholedYorkStJohntoUniversitystatusandwewelcomedProfessorDavid
FlemingasournewViceChancelloratthebeginningofJune.Ibelieve
Davidprovedtobeanexcellentchoiceasinthefewmonthshehasbeen
withushehasmadeanimpressiveimpactonbothYorkStJohnandalso
inthewayinwhichhehasbuiltpartnershipswithinthewiderregion.I
thoroughlyenjoyedtheceremonyheldinYorkMinsteron2Novemberfor
theViceChancellor’sinauguration,joinedbystaff,students,alumni,friends,
professionalpartnersalongsideourChancellor,theArchbishopofYork.
AfteradetailedandconsideredselectionprocessIamdelightedto
announcethatthenewChairofGovernorswillbeAnnGreenCBEFCMI
FRSA.Ann,wholivesinYork,hasextensiveexperienceinbusinessandthe
commercialworld,alongwithastronginterestinheritageandculture.
SheiscurrentlyChairmanofTheRoyalArmouriesBoardofTrustees,a
non-executivedirectoroftheDepartmentofCulture,Media&Sportand
ChairmanofHadrian’sWallHeritageLtd,thecompanyresponsiblefor
theWorldHeritageSite.SheisaformerdirectoroftheNorthernStock
ExchangeandtheNorthernIndustrialSociety.
IhaveenjoyedmyassociationwithYorkStJohnUniversityandwillbesad
toleave,however,Annwillbeanoutstandingreplacement.YorkStJohn
Universityhasbeenafantasticplacetobeinvolvedandassociatedwithand
Ihaveenjoyedthecompanyofgovernors,staff,studentsandvisitors.Ishall
alwaysbeproudofwhattheInstitutionhasachievedandtheoutstanding
graduateswehaveproduced.Ishalltakeaninterestinthefutureofthe
Universitybutonlyasasupporting
admirerofwhatcanbedonetohelp
thesocialandeducationalneedsof
studentsandstaff.Theeducation
sectorisfacingnewchallengesandYork
StJohnwillfacetransition.However,
ourproudhistory,strongcommunity
spiritandtheexceptionallearning
experienceprovidedbytheUniversity
willcontinuetoshinethrough.
RobinHall,ChairofGovernors
Soonwewillbehelpingtoorganise10-year-outreunions-startingin2013-tocommemorate
theformationoftheAlumniSocietyin2003.Wearehappytosupportanygroupreunionsthat
takeplacesopleasedogetintouchifyouthinkwecanassistinanyway.Wearenowsendingout
e-zinestoournewsandeventsgroup.E-zinesareaneasyandconvenientwayofkeepingup-to-
datewithopportunitiesandevents.IfyouwouldliketoreceivetheNews&Eventse-zineplease
ManycongratulationstoProfessorAndySmithwhowasawardedanMBEinthe2011NewYear’s
Honourslistforhisservicestosportandeducation.Andyisnowworkinginaprofessorialrole
withintheFacultyofHealth&LifeSciencesonanumberofspecialistsubjectprojects.Overthe
nextyearhewillalsobecarryingforwardanumberofexcitingfundraisinginitiativesonbehalfof
theViceChancellor.
Outstanding SPARK support OneofthefactorsthatmakesYorkStJohnsuchaspecialenvironmentisthecloseknit,
supportivecommunitythatexistswithalumni,students,staff,governorsandagrowingnumber
ofexternalfriends.ThisisevidentinthenumberofsupportersfundraisingforSPARK.Thefun
runraised£4,000lastyearbutwealsohadsomenewexcitingevents
onthecalendar!InMarch2010theStudentWardenTeamorganised
anoutstandingStudentWardenVarietyEntertainmentShowfeaturinga
diverserangeofacts,raising£800forSPARK.Thiswasfollowedbystaff
membersDonnaHarrisonandKirstinThompsonorganisingthefirstever
StaffBigBandIdol(featuringsongsperformedbytheBigBandandsung
bystaff).Thiseventraisedover£1,300forSPARKandthewinningactwas
KathrynHassell,FrankieSharpeandStephanieLeyfromtheStudentAdvice
teamwiththeirversionof‘BoogieWoogieBugleBoy’.
WehopeyoutakealookattheenclosedinauguralYorkStJohnUniversity
DonorNewsletter,showinghowtheSPARKfundhasgrownandsupported
somanystudentsatYorkStJohn.Weareparticularlyproudthatinboth
2009and2010aSPARKScholarshipstudentwonanAdultLearnerofthe
YearAward.
Wewillberunningatelephonecampagnlaterintheyear,ifyouwouldliketooptoutpleaseletusknowby29April2011.
E:[email protected]:01904876432
Events Acomprehensivelistof2011YorkStJohneventsisavailableontheYorkStJohnwebsite:www.yorksj.ac.uk/events.Wethoughtthefollowing
maybeofinteresttoyou:
11May 3.30pmFoundationDay FeaturingaChapelServiceandtheAssociationTown&Gownlecture:‘PastSuccesses,
FutureChallenges’byBaronessEstelleMorrisofYardley(thiseventstarts6.30pm)
21May DayattheRaces YSJ’sannualDayattheRaces(YorkRacecourse)–
CountyStandticketsareavailablefor£20(usually£34)
AsmallproportionofeachticketsalegoestoSPARK Moreinformationabouttheseeventsareavailableonthealumniwebpageswww.yorksj.ac.uk/alumni
3
Alumni Development Office news
Frankie,Stephanie&Kathryncelebrate
Funrun2010–featuringtheSmurfs!
Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ysjalumnisociety
4
University news
TimesHigherAwardsuccessforSchoolsLiaisonandAdmissionsTeam
InJune2010YorkStJohn’sSchoolsLiaisonandAdmissionsTeamwonthe
StudentAdmissionsTeamcategoryattheTimesHigherEducationLeadership
andManagementAwards.TheeventwasheldatGrosvenorHouseHotelin
London,YorkStJohnwasoneofsixuniversitiesthathadbeenshortlisted.
PriortotheteamreceivingthisprestigiousawardtheUniversityhad
experiencedagrowthofalmost40%initsapplicationsand30%initsopen
dayvisits.Manyprojectsmanagedbytheteamaresupportedbyavery
successfulstudentambassadorscheme.
OutstandingcontributionrecognisedforProfessorBillinghamInAugust2010YorkStJohnstaffsaidasadfarewelltoFormerProVice
Chancellor,ProfessorStuartBillingham.Stuartwaswidelyrespectedforhis
contributiontowideningparticipation.InJune2010hereceivedrecognition
forthisoutstandingcontributionattheannualYork&NorthYorkshire
AimhigherAwards.Aimhigherisanationalprogrammetoraiseaspirations
andattainmentofthosegroupswhichareunder-representedinHigher
Education.ProfessorBillinghampickedupanawardforhis‘Outstanding
IndividualContributiontoAimhigher’demonstratedbyhiscommitment
andenthusiasminrepresenting,andprovidingstrategicleadershipof,the
Aimhigherprogrammeandalsoforhisworkinthisfieldatnationallevel.
StuartworkedinFurtherandHigherEducationforover30years.
LifetimeachievementawardforformerViceChancellorInDecember2009ProfessorDianneWillcocksCBE,formerViceChancellorof
YorkStJohnUniversitywasgivenaLifetimeAchievementAwardbyYorkPress.
TheawardwasinrecognitionforherservicestobusinessesinYork.TheBusiness
AwardshavebeenrunbyThePressfor19yearsandDiannewasthefirstwomanto
receivethisaccolade.
ProfessorWillcocksCBE
OutstandingcontributionrecognisedforProfessorBillingham
Membersofthewinningteam
TimesHigherAwardsuccess
forSchoolsLiaison
andAdmissionsTeam
5
NewstudenthallsatGray’sWharfOn8September2010thenew232-roomstudenthallsatGray’sWharfwere
officiallyopened.Thiscarfreesiteissituatedonapreviouslyderelictsite
offNavigationRoad.TheneighbouringdevelopmentonPercy’sLanehas
beenpraisedforitscontributiontotheregenerationofthelocalarea.Gray’s
Wharfincorporatesmanysustainableenergysavingfeaturesincludingwaste
recycling,airsourceheatpumpsandaheatingsystemwhichrecognisesnon-
occupancyofaroom.
OlympicchampionvisitsYorkStJohnOlympicchampionJonathanEdwardsCBE,DeputyChairoftheNationsand
RegionsGroupoftheLondonOrganisingCommitteeoftheOlympicand
ParalympicGames,tookpartinaninspirationaldayon22September2010
topromoteandsupportsportandbusinessintheregion.Theeventwas
designedtochallengeattitudestodisabilityandexplorehowhavingadisability
canbeovercomeinbusiness,sportandculture.Jonathan,whohasheldthe
worldrecordforthetriplejumpsince1995,wasjoinedattheeventbythe
ChairmanofParalympicGB,TimReddishOBE.
ThethemeofdisabilityinbusinesswashighlightedinaconferenceatYorkSt
JohnBusinessSchool,withpresentationsfromDeloitte,JobCentrePlusand
AlanRayment,CoachandAmbassadorforTriathlonEnglandDisabledAthletes.
TheViceChancellor’sTeamatYorkStJohnYorkStJohnUniversitycompleteditstopteamwithtwonewkey
appointments.DavidChesserjoinedtheUniversityasProViceChancellor
(Resources)andSueReecebecamethenewProViceChancellor
(Development).DavidChesserwaspreviouslyDeputyViceChancellor
andFinanceDirectoratNorthumbriaUniversity.SueReecehaspreviously
spentseveralyearsattheUniversityofSunderlandwhereshewasDirector
ofStudentRecruitmentandBusinessPartnerships.
l-rSueReece,DavidFleming,DavidMaughanBrown&DavidChesser
SUPresident,LeighHankinsonandtheVCcuttheribbon
(l-r)AlanRayment,ProfessorDavidFleming,JonathanEdwards
&TimReddish
On12January2010anearthquakeregistering7.0hitthenationof
HaitiintheCaribbean.Iwatchedthenewsunfoldoverthefollowing
weeksindespairanddisbeliefasstoriesreportedlossoflives,homes
andshatteredcommunities.Thousandsofpeopleweresaidtohave
losttheirhomesandover3millionpeoplewereaffected.Ihad
knownsomethingaboutHaiti’salreadyimpoverishedstateandalmost
totallackofinfrastructureanddevelopment.Icouldnotbeginto
comprehendhowtheyweregoingtobeabletocopewithsucha
terribledisaster.
IfeltcompelledtofindwaysinwhichImightbeabletooffersome
helpintermsofopportunitiesforassistingindevisinganddeveloping
someculturallysensitivebereavementcounsellingorartstherapy
programmesbothintermsofimmediatedisasterresponseandlonger
termprojects.Ibegantoresearchwhatsupportwasbeingmade
available.Informationwasverysparse.Therewasoneprojectbeing
runbyTheQuisqueyaUniversityatPort-au-Prince.TheUniversity,
whichhadbeencompletelyflattenedbythequake,hadstartedto
developanArtsTherapyprogrammewithaskills-basedteamof
volunteers.EducationstudentsfromtheUniversityhadbeengivena
crashcourseinpsychosocialsupport.Theywererunningworkshops
attheweekendforchildrenwithnumbersasmanyas150atatime.
Theywereworkingfromtentsinthestreets,theirmottobeing‘the
streetsareyouruniversitynow’.Manyofthestaffandstudentshad
beenkilledinthequake.Whilsttheremayhavebeensomeother
supportprogrammesdeveloping,communicationwasverylimited.I
wantedtotrytofindanaidorganisationwithaviewtoflyingoutto
gathermoreinformation.
WithworkandfamilycommitmentsIwasonlyabletotravelinitially
foraperiodof3-4weeks.Ifeltthiswasanimportantconcernwhilst
consideringthenatureoftheworkwhichIcouldundertake.Any
kindoftherapeuticsupportwouldnot,Ifelt,beappropriateunless
alongertermcommitmentcouldbemadeontheproject.The
peoplewerealreadyphysicallyandemotionallyvulnerable.Building
relationshipswiththemforsuchashortspaceoftimecouldhavebeen
potentiallydamagingtotheiremotionalwellbeingintermsofforming
attachmentsthenhavetheirtraumaincreasedbyleavingandreturning
backhomeafteracoupleofweeks.
Withthisinmind,Ilookedfurtheratskills-basedvolunteering.There
wasastart-updevelopmentprojectwithaninternationalNGOwitha
‘visiontosupporttheworkoflocalcommunityorganisations’.They
werelookingtorecruitpeopleontheirinitialProgrammeDevelopment
TeamstartinginApril.Themissionwasdescribedasapsychosocial
projectandtheywereseekingoutprofessionalsworldwideto‘assistin
implementingandestablishingthebuildingsofasustainablevolunteer
programme,workingwiththeirpartnerorganisationsandpreparing
thewayforfutureteamstojointheprogramme’.Theprojectwas
tobebasedindisplacementcampsinJacmelinSouthernHaiti
wheremorethan3,000children,youthandwomenhadbeenmade
homelessafterthequake.
Iwasofferedaplaceonthisprogrammeandwasselectedasoneof
thefirstteamofvolunteerstoflyouttoHaitiinApril.Ihadreceived
someverygenerousdonationsfromYorkStJohnUniversity,local
schoolsand
businesses,
and
contributions
fromfriends
andcolleagues
tohelptofund
this.Theteam
consistedof
30people
internationally
fromdifferent
professions
andskills
background.
Thegroupwas
splitintotwo
projectsand
only10were
senttotheJacmelprogramme,includingmyself.
Arrivingattheairportwewereimmediatelyconfrontedwithchaos,
fightingourwaythroughtheterminalwithhundredsoffacesatthe
gatesbeggingforwater,foodandmoney.
AnnSteel|Postgraduate,CounsellingSupervision
6
Rubble everywhere
Haiti – One year on
E: [email protected]: www.annsteel.co.uk
7
Thedestructionwasindescribable.Therealitythattherewerestill
deadbodiesunderneaththerubble,andfeelingsofgriefandtotal
despairoverwhelmedme.Aswedroveoverthemountainstherains
startedanditfeltextremelydangerousdrivingoveralreadyseverely
damagedroads.ThemassdeforestationanddestructionofHaiti’s
naturalforestsresultedinasignificantriskoflandslides.Afterabout
fourandahalfhourswearrivedatJacmel,therainswereveryheavy;
waterwaspouringdownthestreets,rawsewagefloatedpast,the
stenchwasterrible.Acrosstheroadweretwosmallcamps,onlyone
havingnewlydonatedsmalltents.Throughatranslatorwevisited
andtalkedtomanyofthefamiliesonthecampstotrytoassesstheir
immediateneeds.Wevisitedalocalorphanage;asmallboysaton
theflooreatingaminisculeportionofricefromabowlcoveredwith
flieswhilstsatinhisownurine.Asmallbabylayinacornerofafilthy
floorcoveredbyinsects.Itwascramped,hot,andhumid,thesmellof
excrementandurinewasoverwhelming,ababyblindedbydiseasesat
helplessly(welearntlaterthathehaddiedsoonafterourvisit).
Wevisitedsomeofthedisplacementcampswherewefoundthe
peoplelivinginthemostappallinginhumaneconditionssurroundedby
humanwasteandexcrement.AtnightIcouldnotsleep,asIlistened
totherainthinkingaboutthefamiliessleepinginmudandsqualor.
TheharrowingconditionscontinuedtodisturbmeandIwondered
howthiscouldbehappeninginthe21stcentury.Iwasconsumedwith
angstanddespair,feelingswhichevolvedthroughoutmyexperience
andhavecontinuedtostaywithmesincemyreturn.
Ouraimandobjectivewastofocusontheimmediateneedsofthe
localpeople.Somepartnershipswereformedwithlocalprojects,
someofwhichwehopedwouldbesustainablelongerterm.Initial
contactwasmadewithaCounsellingServicewhichwasduetoopen
inMay2010whichwasdesignedtohelpsupportbothadultsand
childrenaffectedbythequake.Despitehavingtakeneveryprecaution
toprotectmyselffromdisease,Ibecamesickandneededtovisita
makeshifttenthospitalwheretheconditionswereextremelygrim.
Thelackofmedicines,necessitatingadriveofoverthreehourstofive
pharmacies,leftmewithfeelingsofoverwhelmingguiltfortaking
vitalresourcesawayfromthelocalpeople.Therewastheadditional
concernovergettinganyfurthersuppliesintothecountry,fuel
shortagescausingaseriousthreattogettingbacktotheairportand
thevolcanicdustcloudwhichhaddisruptedsomanyflights.Ididnot
knowifIcouldorwouldevergetbacktotheUKandtomyhomeand
family.
Therecentoutbreakofcholeraandthefloodshaspromptedafurther
frenzyofmediaattention.Storiesareonceagainfocusedontheplight
ofthechildrenandthefamilies.Themediareportssensationalising
storiesofhorroranddeathcausemegreatdistress.Whilstthereis
aneedtoknowaboutthesedisastersinordertohelpreceivemuch
neededaidmoneyandsupport;dowereallyneedtoseepicturesof
deathandextremesufferingtounderstandthisconcept?Couldthis
notbeseenasaviolationandinvasionoftheirhumanrights,their
dignityandprivacy?Haveallthesepeoplegivenpermissionfortheir
imagesorimagesoftheirchildrentobeusedinthisway?Thereisa
balancebetweenneedingtoreportsuchtragedyandrespectforthe
individualsinvolved.
SincereturninghomeIhavebeguntothinkmoreaboutthewhole
conceptofbestethicalpracticeinInternationalVolunteeringin
particularinrelationtodisasterresponse.Thereisclearlyanidentified
needforsomeprofessionalswithcertainskills,whocanoffertheir
timetoassistinworkingwiththelocalpeopletodesignprogrammes
tohelprebuildcommunities.Volunteershowevershouldenterinto
theseprojectswithsomedegreeofcautionandgivethoughtand
considerationtothepotentialethicaldilemmas.
Therearemanyorganisationsofferingprogrammeswhichfallinto
thecategoryofwhathasbeencoined‘voluntourism’oraid‘tourist’
projects,aimedmorespecificallyatyoungunskilledvolunteers
particularlyongapyearexperiences.Mostoftheseprogrammeshave
beendesignedfornon-emergencyresponseandforaidingdeveloping
thirdworldcountrieswheretheirpresencecanhaveapositiveeffect
uponthecommunity.Disasterresponsehowever,inanalready
impecuniouscountryIfeelnecessitatesfurthermoralconsiderations.
Thereareobvioussignificantproblemscreatedbygoingintoacountry
sobadlyinneedofbasicvitalresourcesandforthevolunteerstobe
utilisingtheirpaucityofsupplies.
Iwouldthereforeencourageanybodyconsideringsigninguptoa
projecttothinkverycarefullyaboutthepotentialconsequencesof
theirinvolvementinsuchprogrammesandconsiderjusthowmuch
helptheyaregoingtobetothecommunityandthepeopletheyare
aimingtohelp,andvolunteerethicallyandresponsibly.
Tents behind collapsed buildings
Jamcel College University badly damaged
8
Alumni profile CatherineScriven|BA(Hons)Art&Design,2008
AlumniwhohaverecentlyventuredthroughtheQuadentrancefromLordMayor’s
Walkwillnodoubthaveseenthestunningartworkdisplayedonsixonemetrewide
aluminiumpanels.TheartworkentitledAlumniAbundantes1841-2010,meaning
alumniinabundance,wasspeciallycreatedbyYorkStJohnalumnaCatherineScriven
anddepictsanartisticcollectionofthemanyYorkStJohn&Riponalumniandstaff.
Thisworkwasherfirstpubliccommissionofartworkandwasofficiallyunveiledon
Friday26March2010.TheworkmarksthebeginningoftheYorkStJohnHeritage
Trailwhichmapsthemanyhistoricartefactsandsymbolsaroundcampusthatdefine
theUniversityandthevaluesitstandsfor.
CatherinestudiedinBelgiumuptoALevelbutatthetimedidn’tseethelong-term
careerbenefitofchoosingart.InsteadsheoptedtostudyLanguagesandBusiness
StudiesinBrussels.Shebeganherpart-timestudiesin2002,choosingYorkStJohn
becauseoftheflexibilityandwelcomingenvironmentsheexperienced.In2008
CatherinegraduatedfromYorkStJohnwithafirstclassdegreeinArt&Design.
Aftergraduating,CatherinewasapproachedbyamemberofstaffastheUniversity
wantedartworktobedisplayedintheQuadentrancebasedonourarchives.She
sourcedalotofmaterialattheArchiveRoadshowinJune2009.Attheeventshe
interviewedalumnifrombothYorkStJohnandRiponandtookadvantageofthe
numerouspicturesandartefactsthatwereavailable,goingbackwellover100years.
FollowingthisinspirationittookCatherineoversixmonthstocompleteAlumni
Abundantes1841-2010,sheisdelightedbythepositiveresponsetoherwork.
DuringhertimeatYorkStJohnshewasalsoawardedtheUniversity’sStart4Artprize
foroutstandingachievementthroughoutthedurationofherdegreeandtohelp
Catherineestablishherselfasanindependentartist.Sincegraduatingshehasalso
securedaresidencywithHAFNEY(HospitalArtsforNorthEastYorkshire)toproduce
publicworkforWhitbyHospitalhasalsodisplayedworkinNorthYorkshireOpen
Studios.Catherineusesacombinationofdigitalphotography,drawing,printingand
handmadepapers.Inherpracticeshefocusesonrepetitiveprocesses,andeveryday
routinesystemsandnarratives.
Catherineiscurrentlyagraduate
internatBarLaneStudios
(Micklegate)withfiveother
YorkStJohngraduates,who
aresharingacommunalstudio
foroneyear.Thisinternship
programmehasbeenfacilitated
throughapartnershipbetween
CreativeBusinessatYorkSt
JohnandBarLaneStudios.In
December2010artworkbythegraduateswasshownataprivateviewingatBar
Lane,heldtocelebratethesuccessofaprestigiousexhibitionoriginallyheldatthe
openingofanewHugoBossstoreinManchester.
To find out more about Catherine:
www.catherinescriven.co.uk | [email protected]
First class degree for Catherine
‘Red Riding Hood’
Delighted by the positive response
9
Student profileGraemeLaw|BA(Hons)PhysicalEducation&SportsCoaching
GraemeLawjoinedYorkStJohnUniversityinSeptember2009tostudy
foradegreeinPE&SportsCoaching.AtthattimefewatYorkSt
JohnUniversitywouldbeawarethathehadalreadymadehismarkas
aprofessionalfootballer.Hisexperiencestodateinfootballillustrate
quiteclearlythetremendouseffortthatyoungplayershavetoputinto
besuccessfulinthegame.
GraemewasborninScotlandbutmovedtoYorkwhen
hewasveryyoung.Withexcellentskillsandafirstclass
attitudetothegameitwasnotsurprisingthatthe
coachingstaffatYorkCityFCrecognisedhisprecocious
talentandfromtheageof10hejoinedtheirSchool
ofExcellence.Attheageof11hewenttoTadcaster
GrammarSchoolanditwasfromthistimethathe
reallybegantomakehismarkasafootballer.
Furthersuccesscamehiswaywhenhewasselectedto
playfortheYorkCityBoysteamsatUnder11through
toUnder15andtohiscredithecaptainedallofthese
teams.HealsocaptainedtheNorthYorkshireand
NorthofEnglandteams.
Aftersuccessfullyworkinghiswaythroughthejunior
levelsoffootball,Graemesignedprofessionalforms
forYorkCityFCattheageof16.Inthe2004-05
seasonheturnedoutforCityon24occasionsand
wasselectedassubstituteforafurthersevengames.
Graeme’stimeasaprofessionalwithYorkwastobe
arelativelyshortoneaschangestopersonnelatthe
ClubmeanthemovedbacktohisnativeScotlandto
playwithDundee.Itwastherethatheenjoyedthe
outstandingfootballoccasionofhislifewhenheplayed
intheScottishCupFinalagainstGretnaatHampden
Park,onlytofacethedisappointmentofathreegoals
toonedefeat.
Graememadeanothermovein2006whenhejoined
forceswithTamworthtoplayintheConferenceNorth
league.TamworthcametopoftheleagueinGraeme’s
thirdseasonwiththeclub.Currentlyheisplayingfor
StalybridgeCelticinBlueSquareNorthandheismost
sensiblylookingathisfutureinthegame.Forthepastthreesummers
hehastakenoncoachingresponsibilitiesatLaMangainSpain,the
biggestsportscomplexinEurope.HeisnowaUEFA‘B’Qualified
Coach.Furtherinternationalexperiencerecentlycamehiswayas
amemberoftheBritishteamthatcompetedintheWorldStudent
GamesinBeijing.
Askedwhichplayershadbeenthebiggestinfluenceonhiscareerhe
nominatedGordonStrachan,PauloMaldiniandPatriceEvra.Allthree
arefirstclassrolemodelsforapersonwhoseekstobecomeacoach
inprofessionalfootballoraschoolteacherinphysicaleducationand
sport.
Graeme Law playing for England universities
Graemesignedprofessional
formsforYorkCity
attheageof16
10
Alumnilookingtoenhancetheirmanagementskillsandadvancetheir
careersneedlooknofurther,asYorkStJohnBusinessSchooloffers
opportunitiesintheheartofYorkandonline.
ThefirstMastersinBusinessAdministration(MBA)programmeinYork
waslaunchedinSeptember2010.TheMBAaimstodevelopabroad
understandingofarangeofbusinessfunctionsandhowtheyperform
atoperationalandstrategiclevels.Thereisastrongemphasisonthe
applicationoftheoreticalknowledgeintheworkplacewithstudents
developing,managingandimplementingprojectswithlocalbusinesses.
Theprogrammeisidealforpeopleworkinginsmallandmediumsized
businessesaswellaslargerandinternationalorganisations.
TheMBAcanbetakeneitherfull-timeonanintensive12-month
programmeorpart-time(overtwotofiveyears).Therewillbeone
intakeeachyearinSeptember.
ModulesincludeEnvironmentallySustainableBusiness,International
Finance,HumanResourceManagement,LeadershipandManagement
Skills,InternationalBusinessStrategy,InternationalTradeand
Globalization,ManagingCorporateReputation,andDesigninBusiness.
ChristineMortimer,HeadoftheMBAprogrammeexplains,‘The
internationalelementsoftheprogrammeenablestudentstodevelop
anddeepentheirunderstandingoftheopportunitiesandchallenges
presentedbyglobalization–anincreasinglyimportantaspectof
today’sbusinessworld.Innovation,creativityanddesignarealsokeyto
businesssuccess.That’swhywe’veintroducedoptionalmodulesthat
aimtodevelopanunderstandingofthemanagementofinnovation
andcreativityinacommercialcontext,andthenotionofhowconcepts
anddesignareessentialbutoftenmisunderstoodelementsof
successfulbusinesses.’
Alongsidethenewprogrammes,theBusinessSchoolhasextendedits
teachingteamwiththeappointmentoffivenewlecturersteaching
undergraduateandpostgraduatestudents.
JackieMathers,DeanofYorkStJohnBusinessSchoolsaid,‘Iam
delightedtoappointsuchhighcalibrelecturers.Theirblendof
academicresearch,teachingandmeaningfulbusinessexperiencewill
bearealassettoourstudents.’
Inadditiontotheacademicprogrammes,theBusinessSchoolhas
becomeacentreoftheInstituteofLeadership&Management
(ILM).FromSeptember2011,theywillbeofferingtheILMLevel5
QualificationsinManagement.TheILMLevel5Award,Certificateand
DiplomainManagementarequalificationsthathavebeenspecially
designedtogivepractisingoraspiringmanagersasolidfoundationin
theirformaldevelopmentinthisrole.
Learning opportunities through the Business School
News from the Business School
York St John launches new programmes
Languages Success
BritishSignLanguage(BSL)
studentscelebrateda
100%passrateinthelatest
Signatureexaminationresults,
puttingitmorethan20
percentagepointsabovethe
UKaverage.Programme
leaderAmandaSmith,whose
firstlanguageisBSLrather
thanEnglishhavingbeenborn
deaf,deliversthecoursein
ahighlyengagingwayusing
numerousvisualpropswhich
encouragesstudentstolearn
fromeachotheraswellasqualifiedtutors,includingaweekly‘Sign
Café’wherestudentscangettogethertogainadditionalpractice.
StudentsareparticularlyinterestedinBSLbecausetheyseeitasan
importantskilltohaveinanyfuturecareerinteachingorspeechand
languagetherapy.Equally,publichealthprovidersandlocalbusinesses
recognisetheneedforcommunicatingwithclientsandcustomers
fromtheDeafcommunity.
Further information about the BSL courses available or the
weekly ‘Sign Café’ at York St John Business School is available on
E: [email protected] T: 01904 876915.
Amanda Smith, BSL programme leader
11
Events for all
Professor Roger Steare
Networkingeventsheldthroughouttheyearwillhelpyou
shareknowledge,ideasandgainaccesstobusinesscolleagues,
otheralumni,currentstudentsandleadersoforganisationsin
theYorkshireandHumberregion.Theseeventsattracthigh
qualityspeakersfromtheUKandinternationally.Hereisa
selectionoftheupcomingeventsin2011.
English Language & Linguistics
Colloquium Series
Aforuminwhichguestlecturers,studentsandstaffpresent
theirwork,followedbyaninformaldiscussionoverdinner.A
widevarietyoftopicsarecoveredfromLanguageandtheLaw
toSecondLanguageTeaching.
Contact Andrew Merrison E: [email protected]
or Chris Hall E: [email protected] or T: 01904 876639.
Foreign Language Lecture Series
DoyouenjoylisteningtoalanguageotherthanEnglish?
Perhapsyouwanttopractiseyourlanguageskills,learn
somethingnewormaybeyouarefarawayfromhomeand
wouldliketoshareyourfirstlanguagewithotherlearners?Why
notjoinusattheForeignLanguageLectures?
Over80peoplehaveenjoyedlecturesinItalian,Polish,Greek
andSpanish,alongwithaglassofwineandlightrefreshments.
Sign up to the upcoming lectures
E: [email protected] or T: 01904 876507.
Leadership events
• The Annual Business School LectureonWednesday11
May2011welcomesProfessorRogerSteare,Corporate
Philosopher,whocreatedtheethicability®MoralDNAtest
andKerstenEngland,CEOofCityYorkCouncil.
Theeventisfree.
• Going Global takesplaceon17June2011sponsoredbyYorkshire
BankandKPMG.TheBusinessSchoolwelcomeskeynotespeakerTom
Vosa,ChiefEconomistandHeadofMarketEconomicsEuropeatthe
YorkshireBank.Theeventwillbefollowedbyworkshopstodiscussthe
challengesofchangeinorganisations.
• Creativity & Innovationisaneventtogivebusinessleadersand
entrepreneurstherightbalanceofacademicandcorporatesupport
tohelpthemincorporatecreativeideasandtransformtheminto
tangiblebusinesssuccess.DatetobeconfirmedinSeptember2011.
• Thefifthintheseries,theAnnual Tourism Conferencetakesplacein
November2011duringYorkBusinessWeek.Speakersandactivitiesfor
thedaywillbeannouncedsoon.
Yorkisalovelyplacetovisit,todobusinessandtostudy,andYorkStJohn
BusinessSchoolprovidespeoplewithyetanotherreasontochoosethecity.
For further information on programmes, courses or events, contact
York St John Business School, E: [email protected]
T: 01904 876915, or visit www.yorksj.ac.uk/businessschool.
Speakers at the Tourism Conference 2010
12
Students’ Union news
Campaigning!
Thisyearpromisestobeanotherpositivecampaignyearforthe
Students’Union.It’sthefirstyearofournewstrategicplan.Having
theplanhasmeantthatwecangearourcampaignsaroundthe
worriesthatstudentsidentifiedinourresearch.Thismeansthatweare
moreintouchwiththeneedsandwantsofstudentsthaneverbefore.
ThisyearwiththeintroductionofournewAcademicDevelopment
Co-ordinator,wearepushingProgrammeRepslikeneverbeforeaswell
asre-runningoursuccessfulSafetyofStudents’campaign.
Newtothisyear’sagendaarecampaignssuchasthe‘FirstYear
Counts’,whichencouragesfirstyearstogetinvolvedinvolunteering
andengagingfullywiththeirprogramme–givingthemextrastrings
totheirbowtomakethemmoreemployableupongraduation.The
welfareofourstudentsremainsthepriorityoftheSUandweare
continuingourworkonmakingsureourstudentsaremakinggood
choicesaroundhousingandtheirfinancesespeciallyintheseincreasing
difficulttimes.
President Leigh Hankinson
BA (Hons) Sports Studies, 2010
VP Education & Welfare Katie Knowles
BSc (Hons) Sport & Exercise Science, 2009
VP Student Activities Jason Chappelhow
BA (Hons) Sports Studies, 2010
National Debt Day March
Varsity 2010 versus Teesside University (Teesside, Wednesday 13 October 2010)
Itwasthattimeoftheyearagainwhenthenewstudentshadjust
settledinandoursportsteamswereinfullpreparationfortheBUCS
(BritishUniversities&CollegesSports)seasonaheadformallyknownas
BUSA.ThisyearourannualVarsitywascontestedbetweenourselves
andTeessideUniversity.WithYorkStJohnthevictoriousinstitution
forthelastthreeyearswehadeveryreasontogotoTeessidefull
ofconfidenceinretainingthetrophy.However,thedayprovided
somethingofashockfortheYSJstudents.Teessidehadclearly
steppeduptheirgameandYorkStJohnsurrenderedtothis–with
Teessidewinning15-5infixtures!
Althoughthedaydidn’tprovidetheresultourstudentscravedfor,the
dayandeveningeventsinTeessidewereahugesuccesswithmany
newfriendshipsformedandbondswithTeessideUniversityfurther
enhanced.Withahugelossofmembershiplastyearitwasnever
goingtobeeasy;lookingtothefutureourstudentsareprovingtobe
strongerinBUCS(universityleagues)astheseasondevelops;withour
firstyearsprovingthereissomerealhighqualitytalentoutthere.If
thistrendcontinuesthenwecouldwellbepunchingaboveourweight
againamongsttheothermuchlargeruniversities,asYSJalwaysdoes
–wemaybesmallinnumbersbutwecertainlymakeitupforitin
character!
Over75YorkStJohnstudentstookpartintheNationalDebtDay
marchorganisedbytheNationalUnionofStudentsinNovember2010
inLondon.Theytravelleddowntothecapitalwithrepresentatives
fromtheUniversityofYork.ForPresidentLeighHankinsonitwasthe
firsttimehe’dtakenpartinapeacefulprotest.Hefeltthatthemarch
wasanimportantopportunityfortheUniontogetstudentviewsacross
astheeventattractedalotofmediacoverage–unfortunately,notall
ofitfortherightreasons.Noneofourstudentswereinvolvedinanyof
thedifficultiesonthatday.
Leighhasbeenengagingstudentsindiscussionsaboutwhatthe
governmentcutscouldmeanforthem,theUnionandtheUniversity.
TheUnionhavebeenusingdifferentmethodsofengagement,
includingtheweeklySoapBoxeventstomakepeopleawarethat
fundingcutscanaffectall
aspectsofstudentlife.It’s
sparkedalotofpeople’s
emotions.TheUnionis
workingalongsidethe
Universitytoplanaheadand
thisisobviouslygoingtobe
animportantfeatureofthe
Union’sworkthisyear.
13
Alumni profile Andy Winter
BA (Hons) English Studies, 2000
YSJStudents’UnionPositions: VPEducation&Welfare
ExecutiveOfficer(Ripon)
NewspaperEditor
Career History
2009-onwards
GeneralManager,YorkStJohnStudents’Union
2004-2009
StudentActivitiesManager,LeedsUniversityUnion
2002-2004
Training&DevelopmentOfficer,LoughboroughStudents’Union
2001-2002
StudentCommunityActionManager,DurhamUniversity
2000-2001
VPEducation&Welfare,YorkStJohnStudents’Union
MyexperiencesasaUnionCouncillorandthenaSabbaticalOfficer
havehadamassiveimpactonmylife.WhenIwasatschoolIdidn’t
knowsucharoleasGeneralManagerofaStudents’Unionexisted,
nevermindplanningtobecomeone.Theopportunitiesofbeing
involvedintheUnionopenedmyeyestoawholedifferentworldof
workandallowedmetoexperiencetrainingproductionanddelivery,
budgetingandstrategicplanningandformalinstitutionalmeetings
thatIwouldn’thavegotelsewhereinmylateteens/earlytwenties.
Mysabbaticalyearwasparticularlyimportantinshapingmycareer.If
ithadn’tbeenformyinvolvementinvolunteeringprojectsIwouldn’t
havedevelopedtheinterestinvolunteeringwhichledmetomynext
jobatDurhamUniversity.Everystepforwardwasbasedonutilisingthe
skillsIhadacquiredineachrole,lookingatfurtherdevelopingmyself
andallowingmetofocusonfutureambitions.
How has your involvement with the Students’ Union affected your career?
We would be very interested to hear from other alumni who volunteered or who were involved with extra-curricular activities with the Students’ Union. We would be interested in finding out what you have done since completing your programme at York St John and what impact being involved with the Union has had on your career. Please email: [email protected]
Clubs & Societies
Duringthelastfiveyearsourclubsandsocietieshaveraised£19,681forcharitiesand£28,115forRAG.
DuringthelastyearYorkStJohnstudentshavededicated19,530hourstovolunteering.
MPS Society 2010-11
14
PeterMorrey|TeacherTraining,1964
IchosetocometoYorkStJohnin1961asamaturestudentof27to
traintobecomeateacherbecauseitwasoneofthetopthreeteacher
trainingcollegesinthecountry.
MyinitialmemoriesthatspringtomindareofaninterviewwithCanon
PhilipLamb‘Prinny’;VicePrincipalChrisChapmanwithhisgownflying
behindhimandmygarretroomonNottinghamCorridor.Ialsofondly
rememberPercyWhenham’sfamousannuallecture,whenweallstood
intheQuadandsanghimintothetuneof‘SweetLassofRichmond
Hill’.
Iseemedtobeabsorbedeasilyintostudentlife,workedhardand
quicklymademanyfriends.Inmysecondyear,Imovedintodigsin
MonkgateandbecamePresidentoftheSocietyofExternalStudents.I
alsojoinedtheBoatClub,eventuallybeingawardedmycolours.
Asystemofstaff/studentrelationshipsoperatedlooselybetweenthe
SeniorCommonRoom(SCR)andtheJuniorCommonRoombutit
wastotallyunsatisfactoryanditwasfeltbybothsidesthataproper
Students’Unionshouldbeformed.Nominationsweresoughtforthe
majorofficers,aballotwastakenbythestudentsandIbecameits
firstPresident.Followingthis,anExecutiveCommitteewasformed
andmanylongandsearchinghoursweredevotedtoformulatinga
constitution.Inpointsoflaw,wewereablyhelpedbythemembers
oftheSCRandwhenitwascompletedwehaditdrawnupona
magnificentscrollwhichwasthenpresentedtotheSCRtobeplaced
intheCollegearchives,inanoutstandingceremonyintheQuadrangle.
TheStudents’Unionthenbecamesolelyresponsibleforthe
administrationofitsfundstowhomallclubsand
societiesmadeapplicationsandweretreatedfairly
andonmeritsotherewerenoargumentsfromany
ofthestudentbodies.
Justbeforefinals,thePrincipalaskedmeto
approachthePresidentsofalltheStudentHalls
ofResidenceandaskiftheirmemberswouldbe
willingtodonateasumofmoneyannuallytowards
thecostofdevelopingnewbuildings.They
unanimouslyagreedsothatsomeofthebuildings
thathavebenefitedstudentsovertheyearswere
assistedbythosewhohadgonebefore,andIthink
of,inparticular,theswimmingpool.
Wewerethelastoftheall-maleyearandadeep
specialbondexistedbetweenallJohnsmen.The
ethosoftheCollegeenteredandstayedinourheartsforwewereto
gooutin
theland(the
‘vineyard’
asChris
Chapman
calledit)and
becomethe
bestteachers
wecouldbe.
Itaughtat
homeand,
foratimein
Zambiaand
sawmany
changesin
education,
notallof
themforthe
goodbutmyabidingmemoryisthatofupholdingtheprinciplewhich
Ilearnedatmyalmamaterandbeingrememberedwithaffectionby
thosewhomItaught.SoentrenchedwasIwithallthefinesttraditions
thatIhadabsorbedthatmysecondson,bornin1968,waschristened
St.JohnMorrey!‘Prinny’approved.
Alumni profile – the first Students’ Union President!
SU Executive 1964 (Peter, bottom row fifth from left)
15
Aspresidentoftheclubmyprimaryroleistooverseeandadvise
ontheclub’sactivities.Ialsoprovidesupporttomycommitteeand
memberstoensuretheyachievetheirgoals.Thisyearwehavealready
hadsuccessesinenteringcrewsatBUCSSmallBoatsHeadandBUCS
IndoorRowingChampionships.
SimilarlyattheYorkSmallBoatsHead.In2011wehopetoentera
men’sandwomen’screwatLondon’sHeadoftheRiverinthespring
andmakeourdebutatBUCSRegatta,withfresherandsenior8’s,along
withmanylocalregattasintheearlysummer.Lastyearbothlandand
waterbasedtrainingdeveloped,improvingtheclub’soverallfitness
andconsistency.WeaimtoholdagruellingEastertrainingcampto
improvethewholeclub’stechniqueonthewater,readytomakean
impressionatthesummerregattas.
Ourprimaryaimthisyearistodevelopconsistentcrewsinboththe
men’sandwomen’ssquadsrangingfromseniortofresherabilities.As
acommitteeweshareamutualloveandpassionforthesportwhich
isdrivingustoachievetothebestofourabilitiesandsupportour
members.Everyoneiswelcome,withtherightattitudeanyonecan
succeed.
WritingtheRowingClubHistoryCurrentLevel2studentandRowingClubmemberLloydFrithisworking
onwritingthehistoryoftheRowingClub.TheAlumniDevelopment
Officehaspassedoninformationthathaspreviouslybeenkindlysent
byformerRowingClubmembers.Shouldanyoneelsehaveinformation
alternativelyyoucanpostanyinformationtotheAlumniDevelopment
OfficewhowillpassitontoLloyd.
MakingadifferenceLikesomanyotherclubsandsocietiestheRowingClubdoes
outstandingworkforcharity.Lastyeartheydonated£900tocharity,
thismoneywasraisedfromtheirannualbonfirenightcelebration,
attendedby300people.£600ofthismoneyhasgonetoSOSAfrica,
enablingDimpho,agirlfromatownshipinMafeking,tohavefull-time
education.TheRowingClubaresupportinghereducationcosts,
uniform,booksandafterschoolcare.TheRowingClub’sCharitiesand
FundraisingOfficer,AndrewHallsays‘wewillcontinuetodonatethis
amounteveryyearsheisatschooltosecureherfuture’.
Mostrecently
theclubhave
donated£200
totheArcLight
Centre.Arc
Lightisacharity
thatprovides
accommodation
andsupportto
homelessmen
andwomenin
York.Thismoney
wasspenton
presentsfromthe
homelesspeoples’
Christmaswish
list,andisa
charityveryclose
totheUniversity.
ATributefromtheRowingClubtoDaveEvans
SadlyinNovember2010,welostourvolunteerHeadCoachDavid
Evans.Davehadextensiverowingexperience;rowingwiththeRAF,
puttingthroughwinningcrewsinHenley,rowingatMarlow–these
arejustaselectionofhisrowingachievements.Wewereincredibly
luckyandhonouredtohavehisinvolvementintheclub.Hisconstant
support,reliability,knowledgeandexperienceenabledustogainsome
ofourfirstwinsfortheclub,andenterraces,suchasHeadoftheRiver
inLondonandtheRutherfordHead.Atleastonceaweekwewould
hearhisshoutsandcatchglimpsesofhimcyclingalongtheriverbank
withus–allat6o’clockinthe
morning!(Bearinginmindhe
lived40minutesawayfromthe
boathouse).Wenevertiredofhis
storytelling,enthusiasmandbelief
inourabilities.Aninspirational
coachandlovingman;David
Evanswillbesorelymissed.We
areallgladtohaveknownhim.
TheRowingClubalsodonated
£100toTheHenleyStewards
CharitableTrustindedication
toDaveEvans,thecharityofhis
choosing.The Boat Club proudly supporting SOS Africa
Dimpho’s education supported by The Rowing Club
York St John Rowing Club 2010-11
Message from the Rowing Club President, Kathryn Honey
Dave’s constant support will be missed
16
Alumni Business success stories
Tom, Oliver and Simon
Nationalrecognitionforgraduatecompany
InNovemberlastyearWestParkMediaLimited,acompanyformed
byYorkStJohnUniversitygraduates,wasfeaturedintheGuardian
newspaper.SimonHorniblow,OliverHarrisonandTomWhiteall
studiedTheatre,Film&Television,graduatingin2006.Duringtheir
timeatYorkStJohntheywereheavilyinvolvedwithfilmmaking
activitiesassociatedwiththeirprogramme.
WestParkMediaisaleadingvideoproductioncompany,specialisingin
producinghighquality,innovativeandinformativevideocontent.Since
itsinceptioninJanuary2008,ithasevolvedintoawell-knownand
highlyrespectedmediacompany.
TheirRoyalTelevisionSocietyawardwinningflagshipproject,
studentcooking.tvwasdesignedtoenhancetheculinaryexperience
andunderstandingofstudentsintheUK.
ItbeganatLoughboroughUniversityandhasbeenrapidlytaken
onboardby20oftheUK’sleadinguniversities.Thesuccessand
foresightoftheprojecthaswontheenterpriseconsiderablepraisein
nationalandlocalpublications,mostrecentlybeingthesubjectofan
articleintheGuardian’seducationsupplement.
Pioneeringthedisseminationoffoodrelatedknowledgetoyoung
peopleinBritain,WestParkMediahasbuiltateamcommittedtothe
advancementofkitchen-basedknowledgeintheUK.Thispassion
forfood,combinedwithanimpressiveportfolioofvideo,hasbeen
recognisedbysomeoftheUK’sleadingculinaryconcerns,most
notablyMars,Dolmiosauces,BritishPorkExecutive(BPEX),English
BeefandLambExecutive(EBLEX)andStarLogic.WestParkMediahas
acquiredaformidablereputationwithintheculinaryandeducation
spheresasacompanywithapassionforhighqualityvideoproduction
andcontent.
WestParkMediahastakenauniqueandprogressiveapproachtothe
poweroftheInternetinthediffusionofinformation,contentand
video.Theironlinecontentisnowaccessibleto,andviewedby,over
250,000studentsintheUK.Unitingprofessional,entertainingand
enlighteningvideowithexpertlydesignedandmaintainedwebsites,
WestParkMediaisattheforefrontofinnovative,dynamicandinspiring
onlinemedia.
FormoreinformationaboutWestParkMediavisit:www.westparkmedia.co.uk
All studied Theatre, Film & Television
HeatherAlstead|BAHonsDesignPractice,2010
17
YSJ Connect launched YSJConnectisaboutproviding
opportunities,supportand
guidancetohelpstudentsenhance
theirCVs,exploretheircareer
prospectsandgetvitalexperience
topreparethemforlifeafter
university.It’stheplaceforthem
toconnectwithothers(withother
students,staff,employersandalumni)tomakeopportunitieshappen.
Throughthesitestudentscanshareanidea,projectorvisionwith
otherstohelpmakeithappen,orsetupaplacementwithan
employer.YSJConnectsharestheexperiencesofcurrentstudentsand
graduates.Wewelcomeyoutogetinvolvedandshareyourstoriesafter
graduation,toencourageandinspire.
Heather receives her award from Acorns 4 representatives
In2010HeatherAlsteadwasawarded
a£1,500SPARKScholarshipsponsored
byAcorns4(agroupoflocal
fledgingentrepreneursontheAcorns
ProgrammeatYorkStJohn).Heather,
aDesignPracticegraduate,was
awardedthescholarshipduringher
finalyearforherdesignofunique
drinkscoasterwhichremindselderly
peopletodrinktherecommended
dailyallowanceofwater.
Inspirationforthedesigncamewhen
shewascaringforhergrandmother
andrealisedthatshewasnotdrinking
enoughwater.
Heatheriscurrentlyworkingontesting
outtheproductfurtherinnursinghomesandhospitals.
Heatherusedthefundsfromthescholarshiptoapplyforthepatent
andmakeworkingprototypesforthedrinkreminderaswellasaniron
guard(designedtostopchildrenandadultsfromburningthemselves).
Heather’scareerplanspriortostartingUniversityweretobecomea
JuniorDesigner,butnowshehasstartedherownbusinesshermain
goalistomakelifeeasierforpeople.
Sheisthoroughlyenjoyingworkingforherselfandhopesthatinthe
futureshewillbeinapositiontotakeonaYorkStJohnUniversity
studenttohelpthemdeveloptheirideas.
FurtherinformationaboutHeatherandherproductscanbefoundon
theYSJConnectwebsite(detailsbelow).
Acorns4raisednearly£5,000forSPARKin2009,thesecond£1,500
SPARKEnterpriseScholarshipwillsoonbepromotedto2010-11final
yearstudents.
DuringthisacademicyearfundsraisedbytheAcorns5cohorthave
supportedsixOccupationalTherapystudentstogoonthreemonth
placementsindevelopingcountriestoworkwithdisadvantaged
people.
InauguralSPARKEnterpriseScholarshipwinnersetsupherownbusiness
Funding opportunity for 2010 graduatesThe‘YSJConnectFund’hasbeenlaunchedtowhichcurrent
studentsand2010graduatescanbidforupto£500.
Furtherdetailscanbefoundat:http://connect.yorksj.ac.uk/
Wehopetohearfromyouinthefuture!Formoreinformation
18
Business incubation and growth is the name of the
game for Creative Business
InthepastfewyearstheFacultyofArtshasestablishedaCreative
BusinessTeamresponsibleforgraduateincubationandbusinessfacing
supportservices.Itsfour-strongteamprovidearangeofservices
forbusinessesinthecreativeindustries.However,themostnotable
successesthispastyearhavebeenintheareaofbusinessincubation.
TheFacultywasprivilegedtowin£105,000fromtheBusinessLink
ReserveFundtosupportBarLaneStudiosintheheartofthecity.Bar
LaneStudiosisasocialenterprisesetuptosupportlocalpractising
artistsgainsuitablestudiospaceandtheopportunitytoexhibit.This
hasbeenagreatsuccesswhichsixYorkStJohngraduatebusinesses
havebeenabletoshare.
Thesixgraduatebusinesses,includingfivefineartistsandonetheatre
productioncompany,tookupresidenceinthesummerof2010.The
fivefineartistswerefortunatetoexhibittheirworkatagalleryevent
curatedbyBenClowes,CreativeDirectorofBarLaneattheprestigious
launchofthenewHugoBossstoreinManchester.Theeventin
NovemberwasattendedbystarssuchasShayGiven,BenThompson
andMichelleKeegan.Thegraduateinterns’artwasshownalongside
theworkofBobDylan,DerrenBrownandGoldie.Graduateinterns
JadeBloodandMattDurrantweresuccessfulinsellingpieces.Susanne
Davies’sensationalinstallationgainedconsiderableinterestfrombotha
leadingcarmanufacturerandaLondongallery.
GraduatesfromthisprogrammejointheircounterpartsatYorkStJohn’s
productdesigngraduateincubator‘DesignWorks’andthePhoenix
Centre,ScienceCityYork’sCreativeDigitalIncubatorinabusiness
developmentprogrammeentitled‘RaisingTheBar’.Thisprogramme
hasbeendevelopedandhonedovermanyyearsbytheCIDAInnovation
(CreativeIndustriesDevelopmentAgency)andhasprovidedthe
businesseswithfantasticpropulsionforward,supportedbymentorsin
theCreativeBusinessteamwithintheFaculty.
Elsewhereoncampus,theDesignWorksbusinessincubatorhasfor
threeyearsnowprovidedsupportforupandcomingbusinessessuch
asJohnGreenDesignswww.johngreendesigns.co.uk.Thenewintake
includesfourengagingbusinesseswhoareshowingfantasticpromise
withnewandinnovativeproductssuchasHeatherAlsteadDesign’s
assistivetechnologyandJollySmithDesign’sbarandkitchenproducts.
Thefutureisbrightaswelookforwardtothedesignshowsthisyear.
ThefutureofbusinessincubationisexcitingwithintheFacultyofArtsas
wehelpmoreandmoregraduatesachievetheirambitionsincreative
practice.Withastrongfocusonbusinessethicsandcommerciality,
theCreativeBusinessTeamsupportawiderangeofenterprisesin
thecreativesectorthroughproofofconceptandregularmentoring.
ComeandmeetsomeofthesebusinessesatourbrandnewEnterprise
Tuesdaysnetworkingevents.Formoreinformationpleasecontact
CreativeBusinesson01904876315orvisit
www.yorksj.ac.uk/creativebusiness.
Intern success at Bar Lane for Matt Durrant
Faculty of Arts news
Deputy Dean Professor Susan Orr celebrates National
Teaching Fellowship
InSeptember2010ProfessorSusanOrrattendedaneventinLondontocelebrate
thosewhohadbeenawardedNationalTeachingFellowshipsfromtheHigherEducation
Academy.SusanwasawardedaNationalTeachingFellowshipinJuneforhercontribution
tothedevelopmentofteachingandlearningincreativepractice. Susan at the celebration event
19
Royal Television Society Awards
Film&TelevisionstudentsfromYorkStJohnscoopedtwoawardsattheYorkshire
RoyalTelevisionSociety(RTS)StudentAwards,takingthetopspotintwomajor
categoriesataceremonyheldatYork’sReelCinemaon9November2010.
KCSuri,ChairmanofReelCinemasUK,presentedthefictionawardtoateamof
Level3studentsledbyEdwardCooperandRheyaBrigdenfortheirfilmentitled
TheSword,adramaticfilmaboutthwartedambition.Acclaimeddocumentary
makerPaulBerriffpresentedthebestfactualfilmawardtoateamofLevel2
studentsledbyThomasHewettandJoeBurrowsforThroughthePeephole,a
documentaryabouttheworldofburlesque.
ThetwowinningfilmswillnowbeenteredintotheNationalRTSStudentAwards
heldinLondoninMay2011. The VC celebrates RTS Awards with staff and students
Students and staff community engagement
Studentsandstaffhavebeenparticularlyactiveinthecommunity,
showcasinganumberofexceptionalprojects.Theseinclude:
Shining a light–inOctober2009YSJDesignstudentstookpartin
theIlluminatingYorkFestival,workingalongsideGaiaNovaandOMA
International(OfficeforMediaArts),twocompaniesresponsiblefor
lightinguptheCityCentrebetweenOctoberandNovember.Well
knownlandmarksweretransformedinminutesasstudentsbuiltuprich
patternsandpicturesusingvarioustechnologies.Thisprojectinvolved
workingwithchildrenfromHemplandSchool.
Celebrating Diwali –inOctober2009agroupofFineArtand
Performancestudentscreatedastunningdisplayoflightthroughan
upliftinglanternprocessiontocelebrateDiwali,theHinduandSikh
festivaloflight.Theeventinvolvedachoreographed20minute
processionoflightonthecitywallsadjacenttoLordMayor’sWalk.
Celebrating York’s city walls –inMarch201040metresofspecially
designedsilkdecoratedthehistoriccitywallsmarkingtheculmination
ofanartprojectbetweenYorkStJohnandlocalschoolchildren.This
projectwassupportedbyArtsCouncilEngland,YorkStJohnand
Aimhigher.
Challenging Stereotypes –inautumn201050studentsfromNorton
Collegetookpartinasummerschooltodesignposterschallenging
commonlyheldmisconceptionsofyoungpeople.Thevisitingstudents
wereabletoworkwithFacultyofArtsstaff,YSJGraphicDesignerand
otherprofessionalgraphicdesigners.
Students illuminate York
20
On1June2010ProfessorDavidFlemingtookuphisroleasVice
ChancellorofYorkStJohnUniversity.DavidcomestoYorkStJohnwith
anoutstandingtrackrecordinHigherEducation.
Hehasalsoworkedforanumberofyearsinprofessionalpracticeinthe
commercialsectorbeforeenteringeducation.
ProfessorFlemingwaspreviouslyDeputyViceChancelloratthe
UniversityofSunderland,wherehewasresponsibleforacademic
quality,taughtandresearchprogrammes,research,technology
transferandoutreachaswellasrecruitment,collegepartnershipsand
internationaldevelopment.PriortoSunderlandDavidheldtheposition
ofDeanofaSchoolatNorthumbriaUniversityandPrincipalLecturer
atNottinghamTrentUniversity.HehasafirstclassdegreeinUrban
LandEconomics,aPostgraduateDiploma,anMBAandaDoctorateof
BusinessAdministration.HeisalsoafellowoftheRoyalInstitutionof
CharteredSurveyors.
Duringthe
summerDavid
spenttime
gettingtoknow
staffacrossthe
campusand
meetingkey
partnersinYork
andthewider
region.He
listenedtoviews
fromawide
varietyofstaffto
establishhowthe
Universitycould
continuetomove
forwardandgainfurthersuccesses.
ProfessorFleminghasalsojoinedtheBoardofDirectorsatScience
CityYork.Themoveformalisesthecloselinksbuiltovermanyyears
betweenYorkStJohnUniversityandScienceCityYork.Itreinforces
thecommitmentbetweenScienceCityYorkshareholders,CityofYork
CouncilandtheUniversityofYork,tounitetheCityinitsbidtodevelop
athrivingknowledgeeconomyforYork.
ScienceCityYorkChiefExecutive,ProfessorNicolaSpenceadded,
‘David’sextendedinvolvementinScienceCityYorkbringsadditional
skills,visionandleadershiptoanalreadyexceptionaltop-levelteamand
helpsensureamoreinclusiveapproachtosupportingandgrowingthe
city’seconomic,socialandculturalambitions.Welookforwardtoa
strong,innovativeandproductiverelationship.’
FirstInitiativetoboostYSJClubsandSocietiesProfessorFleminghasrecognisedtheimportantrolethatStudentclubs
andsocietiesplayattheUniversitybyestablishinga£50,000Vice
ChancellorInitiativetohelpfundtheiractivities.Davidwasinstantly
awareoftheproudtraditionwithintheclubsandsocietiesandtherole
theyplaynotjustatYSJ,butinthecommunity.Inthelastfiveyears
fundraisingbyclubsandsocietieshasreachednearly£50,000andin
thelastyearstudentshavevolunteered19,530hourstosupportawide
rangeofprojects.
Clubsandsocietieswillbenefitfromdedicatedspaceforhonour
boardsandtrophycabinetstocelebrateoutstandingachievements;
equipmentforcheerleaders;lightingandstagingrigs;refurbishment
andequipmentfortherowingclubanda£5,000coachingfund.
InDecemberYorkStJohnStudents’Unionhostedaspecialcelebration
tothankDavidforhissupport.AttheeventProfessorFlemingreceived
aYorkStJohnsportsshirtsignedbyrepresentativesfromeachclub
andsocietyinrecognitionofhiscommitmenttotheircontinued
development.
York St John welcomes its new Vice Chancellor
Professor Fleming, new Vice Chancellor
Professor Fleming with Professor Spence, Science City York
Vice Chancellor receives a signed top from clubs and societies
21
ProfessorDavidFlemingwasinauguratedataformalceremonyheldin
YorkMinsteronTuesday2November,infrontofanaudienceofstaff,
students,alumni,guestsandprofessionalpartnersoftheUniversity.
AprocessionmadeupofstaffandstudentsfromtheUniversity,
membersofYork’scivicpartyandtheChancellorofYorkStJohn
University,TheMostReverendandRightHonourableDrJohnSentamu
walkeddownhistoricStonegatefromtheMansionHousetoYork
Minster.Theinaugurationceremonyincludedmusicalperformances,
symbolicgiftgivingandconcludedwithdramaticAfricandrumming
accompanyingtheprocessionleavingYorkMinster.
InhisinauguralspeechProfessorFlemingsaid:
‘ThishasbeenafantasticeventforYorkStJohnUniversitystudents,
staffandfriends.WeallhavealotofprideinYorkStJohnandI
feelenormouslyprivilegedtobeapartofit.Ibelievethatthisisa
remarkableUniversityintheheartofaremarkablecity.Theevent
marksthestartofanambitiousperiodwhichwillestablishYorkStJohn
asaleading,internationallyrecognised,teachingledUniversity.’
WelcomingProfessorFlemingtotheUniversity,TheMostReverendand
RightHonourableDrJohnSentamusaid:
‘IwarmlywelcomeProfessorDavidFlemingtohisnewroleastheVice
ChancellorofYorkStJohnUniversity.Hebringsawealthofexperience
totheUniversityandhisenthusiasmisagreatassettotheYorkStJohn
community.Iamdelightedthatheisjoiningus.’
Professor Fleming Inauguration Ceremony
The Procession walks through York
The Procession arrives at the Minster
Professor Fleming addresses the audience
Dr Sentamu and Professor Fleming join the drummers!
22
3rd International Conference on Peace and Reconciliation in Seoul
InNovember2010theTheology&ReligiousStudiessectionatYorkSt
JohnUniversityandYoungnakPresbyterianChurchco-organisedthe3rd
InternationalConferenceonPeaceandReconciliationinSeoulonthe
themeof‘BuildingCommunitiesofReconciliation’.Twohundredand
thirtypeoplefrommorethan60countriestookpartintheconference:
halfofthemchurchleaders.
LeadingacademicsandtheologianswhotookpartincludedRevd
MichaelLapsley,DirectoroftheInstituteforHealingofMemories,
SouthAfrica;RevdDrSetriNyomi,GeneralSecretaryoftheWorld
CommunionofReformedChurches;ProfessorEstherMombo,Deputy
Vice-ChancellorofStPaul’sUniversity,Kenya;VeryRevdProfessorIain
Torrance,PresidentofPrincetonSeminary;andProfessorMiroslav
Volf,ProfessorofTheologyatYaleDivinitySchool.Thecasestudies
ofreconciliationexaminedincludedSouthAfrica,Uganda,Northern
IrelandandIndia.
Thepublicmeetingsintheeveningattractedafurther2,000people.
Theywereacombinedserviceofworship,praise,prayers,sermonsand
lectures,andthemorningplenarysessionsweremoreacademicin
naturewithquestionsandanswers.Theafternoonpanelsessionswere
dividedintothreeareas:
• In-depthreflectionsonthelifeandteachingofRevKyung-ChikHan
•PerspectivesontherelationshipofNorthandSouthKorea
•Christiantheologiesofpeaceandreconciliation.
Therewerenearly60panelpresentationsduringtheconference–and
thepresenterswereallprominentscholarsintheirownfields.The
proceedingsarebeingpublishedinthreevolumes.
TheserieshashadaparticularconcernforpeaceontheKorean
Peninsula–thesubjectofmorethanusualattentionthisyeardueto
severaloutbreaksofviolencebetweenNorthandSouth.Thistimethe
eventwashostedbythechurchinSeoulandincludedavisittothe
DemilitarisedZone(DMZ).Itwasalsoanopportunitytorememberthe
workofRevHanKyung-Chik,founderofYoungnakChurchandhimself
arefugeefromtheNorth,onthe10thanniversaryofhispassing.
RevHanwasaleadingchurchmanwhowasawardedtheTempleton
PrizeforReligionin1992.Amongthereasonsforthisdistinction
washisfoundingofthenationwideSharingRiceMovementinwhich
housewivessetasideanextracupofriceeverytimetheycookandthe
collectionisthensenttohelpthosesufferingfoodshortagesinthe
North.
Intermsoforganisation,theuniquefeatureoftheconferencewasthe
partnershipbetweenacademyandchurch.Manyparticipantshave
saidthatthemutualinteractionhasbeenverybeneficial.Organising
thisconferencehasbeenarewardingexperience.Notonlydothe
twopartieshavedifferentprioritiesandexpectationsasorganisations,
butalsotheteammembersofthetwoorganisationsarefromvery
differentcultures,whichmadeitdoublychallenging.
TheInternationalConferenceonPeaceandReconciliationwas
establishedin2006toprovideaplatformforbothscholarsand
practitionersinthefieldsofpeaceandreconciliation.Thenatureof
theconferenceisinterdisciplinarybutperspectivesfromtheologyand
religiousstudiesareparticularlytothefore.Previousthemeswere:‘In
SearchofSharedIdentity:TheKoreanPeninsulaandOtherContexts’
(2006;atYSJU)and‘EmbracingtheDisplaced:ShapingTheoriesand
PracticesforaSustainablePeace’(2009;atUCLA,USA).
Student exchange trip to PCTS (Presbyterian College and Theological Seminary) Seoul, Korea September 2010InSeptember2010SusanYoretookagroupofeightLevel3Theology
&ReligiousStudiesstudentsonanexchangetriptoSeoul,SouthKorea,
wheretheywerehostedbystaffandstudentsofthePCTS(Presbyterian
CollegeandTheologicalSeminary).PCTShasabeautifulcampusatthe
faredgesofthecityatthefootofA-ChaMountainwithspectacular
viewsoftheHanRiver.Thestudents,RachelSouthwell,HannahClark,
MelissaPowell,JoyWong,SarahJackson,NicoleVeitch,KirstyWilson,
JessicaRutter,andSusanspentfourbusyweeksexperiencingthe
Koreancultureandlearningaboutthehistoryanddevelopmentof
ChristianityinKorea.
LearningexperiencesincludedweeklyvisitstodifferentPresbyterian
churches,featuringadiverserangeofworshipstyles.Contrastinga
megachurchwhereacharismaticpastorledagatheringofthousands
ofexuberantyoungKoreansinanemotionallychargedworshipservice
weremoresedateservicesusingtraditionalmusicalinstrumentsin
smallercommunalchurches.
Faculty of Education & Theology news
A packed conference in Seoul
23
InSeoulthegroupvisitedtheregulartouristsitesofTheDemilitarized
ZoneandtheSeoulToweraswellasRoyalPalaces,Shrinesandthe
NationalMuseum,learningabouttherolethatConfucianism,Buddhism
andindigenousreligionshaveplayedinthespiritualityofKorea.They
heardaboutthegreatsadnessthatmanyKoreansfeelaboutthedivide
andcontinuedhostilitiesbetweenNorthandSouthKorea,prayingfor
reunification.
On-campusspecialisedlectureshelpedtheparticipantstounderstand
thevariousstagesofhowChristianityfirstcametoKoreaand
acculturatedintothearea.TheyalsotookpartinenjoyableEnglish
classesinPCTS,wheremanynewfriendshipsweremade.Students
describedthevisitas‘achanceofalifetime’and‘aninvaluable
experiencethathelpedthemlearnacompletelydifferentcultureto
theirown’.
York St John student celebrations in Nairobi
On5October2010,28YorkStJohnpostgraduatestudentsfrom
fiveNairobiuniversitiesreceivedtheircertificatesfromDeputyVice
Chancellor,ProfessorDavidMaughanBrown.Theeventwasheldat
StrathmoreUniversity,thehostKenyanuniversity,andwasfollowedby
areception.TheprogrammefortheKenyanlecturerswasrunbyYork
StJohn,fundedbyDfID(DepartmentforInternationalDevelopment)
andmanagedbytheBritishCouncil.Theprojectaimedtobringabout
changeandimprovementinteachingandlearninginHigherEducation
inKenya.Toputtheicingonthecake,thelecturersalsoreceiveda
certificatefromtheHEAandhaveearnedtherighttocallthemselves
FellowsoftheHEA.
New training scheme for York governors
YorkStJohnUniversityhasjoinedforceswithCityofYorkCouncil
togiveYork’sschoolgovernorsaccesstoabrandnewtrainingand
developmentscheme.
FromSeptember2010,allgovernorsandgoverningbodieshavebeen
abletochoosefromarangeoftraining,includingface-to-faceand
onlineoptions.WorkinginpartnershipwithCityofYorkCouncil,the
traininggivesgovernorstheopportunitytoapplyfortheirlearning
tobeaccreditedbyYorkStJohnandworktowardsaFoundation
CertificateinSchoolGovernance.
Keyareasoftraininginclude:TheroleoftheSchoolGovernors;The
roleoftheClerktotheGovernors;LeadingtheGoverningBody;and
SchoolImprovement.Thetraininghasbeendevelopedinresponseto
theincreasinglydemandingroleofgovernorsandtheEducationWhite
PaperYourchild,yourschools,ourfuture:buildinga21stcentury
schoolssystem.
ThepartnershipactivityhasbeensupportedbyHigherYork;anexisting
andinnovativepartnershipbetweenAskhamBryanCollege,the
UniversityofYork,YorkCollege,YorkStJohnUniversity,CravenCollege
andCityofYorkCouncil.
Governorswhochoosefortheirlearningtobeaccreditedbythe
UniversitywillbecomestudentsoftheUniversity.
For further information on this scheme please contact
Katie Simpson:
T: 01904 876255
YSJ students experience the chance of a lifetime
Celebrations at Strathmore University
Professor Maughan Brown signs MOU
24
BellaHardywasnamedastheinauguralwinneroftheYorkStJohn
‘AlumoftheYear’in2009.SincegraduatingBellahasbecomeone
oftheUK’sforemostyoungfolkperformers,highlypraisedforher
performancesanddebutrecordings.Bella,whostudiedEnglish
Literature(2002-5),isanacclaimedfolksinger,twicenominatedin
theBBCFolkAwards2008.ShelaunchedherdebutsoloalbumNight
Visitingin2007togreatcriticalpraise.Bellahasnowestablished
herselfasoneofthefinestyoungfolkacts,singingunaccompanied
ballads,oraccompanyingherhighlydistinctivevoicewithherown
fiddleaccompaniment.InJuly2008BellaopenedtheBBCProms
concertattheRoyalAlbertHall.Bella’ssecondalbumInTheShadow
ofMountainswasreleasedin2009.
ApanelatYorkStJohnchoseBellaforhercontributiontomusicat
anationallevel,raisingtheprofileoffolkmusicandherpersonal
accomplishmentinmusic.Shereceivedachequefor£250aswell
asherAlumoftheYearawardattheSPARKCelebrationinMarch
2010.BellawasnominatedbyYorkStJohnUniversitylecturersGweno
WilliamsandRogerClark.
Bella’sthirdalbumSongsLostandStolenisduetobereleasedon18
April2011andfeatures12newsongsshehaswrittenandperformed
andalsofeaturesotherartists.
For more information about Bella please visit
her website www.bellahardy.com
Alum of the year
Could this be you for 2010?
If you would like to nominate yourself or a fellow alum for the 2010 Alum of the Year please e-mail [email protected] or post your application to the Alumni Development Office at the University. All you need to do is send a written testimonial stating why you believe you/fellow alum deserves to be named for this award based on their achievements during 2010.
This could be for:
• Entrepreneurial activities
• Voluntary work undertaken
• Sporting excellence
• Outstanding career achievement
• Publishing or performing acclaim
The closing date for applications is 31 May
2011. The application should be no more
than 500 words.
AlumnifromYorkStJohnorRiponcannownominatethemselvesorafellowalumfortheaccoladeoftheAlumoftheYear2010.
Bella celebrates with her nominees, Gweno and Roger
Bella’s latest album – out in April Bella’s latest album – out in April
25
MembersoftheGraduationCircle2009Thefollowingstudentskindlymadeagiftorwerehonouredbyagiftintheirnameduringthe2009graduationceremonies:
Graduation 2010
BerylAdamson
JoeAkrigg
ShereneAlmond
JenniferAnderton
PamelaArmstrong
SusanAtkinson
VictoriaAtkinson
AnisahBari
DanielBarry
JayneBickerton
MatthewBrear
RichardBrien
MargaretBrocklehurst
PatriciaBrook
SallyBuck
HelenBurke
KatieCarr
PeterClancy
RachelCook
NicolaCoope
MichaelCowling
ScottDavis
CharlotteDownes
ElizabethDowning
JohnEdwards
SusanEverard
CarolineFahy
CeriFrank
AmyFrench
CatherineGill
KirstyGoodwin
SarahGriffiths
EmmaHall
ScottHall
ElizabethHarmer
HaroldHeller
AshlieHorsman
LisaHughes
SarahJackson
AnnemarieJarrett
SimonJohnson
JoLightowler
ClaireLindley
DeborahManton
LynneMason
TheresaMason
LucyMerritt
GaryMilner
SarahMorgan
FrancesMurray
CarolynNattrass
JamesNunns
CatherineO’Donnell
ChristineOldfield
ElizabethPacey
SamParker
JohnPeacock
JanePerkins
TanyaPizl
WendyPopple
DonnaPotts
DavidPynn
VickiRender
SusanReynard
JeanetteRoddy
ClareRogers
EleanorRowling
MichelleRundle
SallyScales
HelenSchofield
ClaireSellers
BarbaraSim
JaneSmith
SophieSowerby
PhilStead
SeanTaylor
LauraTurton
BethanyWilliams
JonathanWills
JordanWoodcock
DanielWoods
JonathanWylie
NicolaWynn
Wewouldliketothankallalumniandfamilywhohavemadea
donationtocommemoratestudentsgraduatingoverthelastfew
years.Yourdonationshavegonetowardshelpingfuturegenerations
ofstudentsattendYorkStJohnandhaveopportunitiesthatwould
otherwisenothavebeenpossible.Wearestillreceivinggiftsfromthe
2010graduationceremonies;therefore,wewillberunningafeatureon
thosewhohavegivengraduationgiftsinthenextdonornewsletter.
Life More AbundantThis updated and extensively revised history book on the Institution written by former Principal, Professor Gordon McGregor, is the definitive history of the Institution at which you studied. The new book includes all the original chapters along with new chapters, new photographs and a new foreword from the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu. The book is a detailed history of both Ripon and York St John
and puts the Institution’s achievement of University title in the broader context of both the history of the Colleges, its people and government educational policy.
York St John alumnus Bob Russell (1953-6) says, ‘This is a book which provides former students with the assurance that York St John in still very much a place of “life abundant”, and future students with encouragement that here is the place to be – a place of wisdom, humanity and good humour.’
The book is priced £20 (hardback) or £10 (paperback), if you would like to order a copy please forward a cheque made payable to ‘York St John University’ to the Alumni Development Office and we will send you a copy (free p&p).
YSJ Graduation Circle 2009
Professor McGregor signing copies of his book
26
James Caan receives Honorary Doctorate from York St John
JamesCaan,oneoftheinvestorsinthesuccessfulBBCseries‘Dragons’
Den’,wasawardedanHonoraryDoctorofBusinessAdministrationby
ourChancellorattheceremonyheldonThursday18November2010.
JamesreceivedhisHonoraryDegreeinrecognitionofhissuccessasan
entrepreneurandbusinessleader,andforhisgenerosityinusinghis
experiencetoadviseotherbusinessesandentrepreneurs,especially
thosefromethnicminoritybackgrounds.Jameswassponsoredby
DianaWetherellTerry,DeputyDeanoftheBusinessSchool.
JamesspenthischildhoodinLondon’sBrickLane,afterenteringthe
UKasaPakistaniimmigrantwhenhewastwoyearsold.Inhisyouth,
Jamesworkedforhisfather,whoranabusinessmakingleatherjackets.
Heleftschoolat16withnoformalqualificationsandleftthefamily
homeshortlyafterwardstopursuehisambitionoffoundingabusiness.
Jamesworkedintherecruitmentindustryforanumberofyearsbefore
decidingtogoitaloneandsetuphisownrecruitmentcompany.In
1985hefoundedtheexecutivehead-huntingfirmAlexanderMann
whichstartedlifeasaspecialistfinancialservicesrecruitmentcompany,
tradingfromatinybroomcupboardintheWestEndofLondon.The
financeforthisambitiousventurecamefromJames’drawdownfacility
onhisnewlyacquiredGoldBarclaycard.
Jamesspentsevenyearsattheforefrontofthebusiness,takingitfrom
strengthtostrengthwhilstcompetitorsstruggledintherecessionof
thelate1980sandearly1990s.In1992andwithasuccessfulbusiness
modelinoperation,Jamestookabackseattoconcentrateonother
businessinterests.By2002AlexanderMannwasoperatingacross
Europe,AustraliaandAsiawithanannualturnoverof£130million.It
wasatthispointthatJamesdecidedtosellhismajorityshareinthe
business.In2005,JamesestablishedHamiltonBradshaw,aLondon-
basedprivateequitycompanywhichspecialisesinbuy-outs,venture
capital,turnaroundsandrealestateinvestmentsintheUK.Itcurrently
manages41companies.James’shrewdbusinessacumenhasenabled
himtoseizeopportunitiessuchascompanybuy-outsandlaunch
furtherspecialistcompaniesundertheHamiltonBradshawbrand.
Inadditiontohisfinancialventures,Jamesdevotesconsiderabletimeto
governmentandadvisoryroles.AsChairoftheEthnicMinorityBusiness
TaskForce,JameshelpsstimulategrowthamongsttheBlack,Asian
andMinorityEthnicbusinessbasedintheUK.TheTaskForcecurrently
supportsover280,000businesses,whichcumulativelycontributein
excessof£20billionayeartotheUKeconomy.
Jamesiscommittedtothedevelopmentoftalentand,despitehaving
receivednoformalbusinesstraininginhisearlylife,hehasbeen
recognisedforhisentrepreneurialflairandbusinessacumen.IIn2003
healsograduatedfromtheAdvancedManagementProgrammeat
HarvardBusinessSchool,aprestigiousprogrammewhichdevelopsthe
talentoftheverybestinbusiness.
Awayfromthelimelight,Jamesholdsmanyambassadorialcharityroles.
In2006,theJamesCaanFoundation(JCF)wassetuptofundamentally
assisteducatingsomeofthesixmillionchildreninPakistancurrently
notenrolledinschools.Furthermore,theJamesCaanFoundation
supportscharitiesintheUK,withinitiativesrangingfromcancercare
toprovidingequalopportunitiesforyouth.Italsoseekstopromote
greaterawarenessforthedevelopingworld.
Jamesispassionateabouthelpingthemillionsaffectedbytherecent
devastatingfloodsinPakistan.Withnearly20millionpeopleaffected,
thousandsofliveslostanddiseasesspreadingrapidlythroughanarea
thesizeofBritain,thisdisasterhavebecomethepriorityoftheJames
CaanFoundation.Assomeonewithahumanitarianconscience,James
flewouttoPakistantodeliverhisownaidandtomeetwithvarious
aidagenciesontheground,tounderstandthechallengesfacingthem
andtheremarkableworkthattheydo.Jamesiscommittedtogetting
people’slivesbackontrackassoonaspossible.Assuch,theJames
CaanFoundationisleadingaprogrammetorebuildcommunities,from
selectingavillage,tobuildinghouses,schoolsandhospitals.
DianaWetherellTerry,whonominatedJames,said‘mycolleaguesfrom
YorkStJohnBusinessSchoolandIaredelightedthatJameshasagreed
toacceptthishonour,beassociatedwiththeBusinessSchool,andto
promoteandbeanambassadorforourentrepreneurialactivity.Itwas
anhonourtopresentanindividualwhohasachievedincrediblesuccess
asanentrepreneurandbusinessleader,andtorecognisehisgenerosity
inusinghisexperiencetoadviseotherbusinessesandentrepreneurs,
especiallythosefromethnicminoritybackgrounds.’
Graduation 2010
James Caan with Diana Wetherell Terry
27
Eachyearanumberofprizesareawarded
duringgraduationtooutstandingstudents.
TheC&BRousePrizerecognisesoutstanding
contributionstotheUniversityandcommunity
life.In2010thisprizewaswonbySimon
Kumarfollowinganumberofendorsementsby
YorkStJohnstaff.
SimonservedintheRoyalAirForceRegiment
foranumberofyearsbeforecomingtoYork
StJohn.Havingnotstudiedfull-timeforover
10yearshechoseYorkStJohnasitnotonly
offeredthedegreehewantedbutithasa
reputationforsupportingmaturestudents.His
youngerbrotherhadgraduatedfromthesame
coursesomethreeyearsbefore,andiscurrently
aPhysicalEducationteacher.
DuringhistimeatYorkStJohnhewasthe
StudentFacultyRepresentativeforHealth&Life
Sciencesandthenwentontoformadisability
sportsclub–YorkStJohnInclusiveActivity
Club.Theclubbegantoevolvefollowingamomentofinspiration
afterSimonattendedaSpecialOlympicsopendayinYorkin2008.
AsaSportsStudiesstudenthesawtheneedformorelocaldisability
sportingopportunities.
‘Usingtheknowledgegainedfrommydegreeandmygrowingnetwork
ofcontacts,Ibegantoexploretheconceptofestablishinganew
disabilitysportsclubwithinYorkforitsresidents.Withthehelpofthe
UniversityandtheCityofYorkCouncil,
thisideabecamearealityandisgrowing
intoasolidclubstructure,runonasolely
voluntarybasis.In2010,30volunteers
wererecruitedrangingfromfellow
SportsstudentstoYorkCollegestudents.
Incorporatedwithinthisgrowthhasbeen
theestablishmentofaGoalballbranchof
theclub.Goalballisavisuallyimpaired
Paralympicsport.
SinceleavingYorkStJohn,Simonhasbeen
workingfortheCityofYorkCouncilas
theirDisabilitySportandPhysicalActivity
OfficerforAdults.Simonsays,‘Ifindthis
jobimmenselyrewardingonmanylevels.
Sincemyappointment,Ihavehelpedset
upandnowmanageaYork
VikingsWheelchairBasketballteam,whichpracticeswithinYorkSt
JohnUniversity’ssportshall.This,alongwiththeYorkStJohnInclusive
ActivityClub,hasallowedforon-goinglinkswiththeUniversitytobe
maintained.
IwouldliketotakethisopportunitytothankYorkStJohnforits
continuedsupport,Icouldnothavewishedforabetterdegree
experience.’
Prize winner Simon Kumar
C&B Rouse Prize winner Simon Kumar | BA (Hons) Sports Studies, 2010
YSJ Inclusive Activity Team
28
Adam Seymour | BA (Hons) History, 2005
In2007ItravelledtoLusaka,ZambiatoworkwithSportin
Action(SIA)forfourandahalfmonths.SIAisanon-government
organisationwhichfocusesonhelpingtoeducateandbreak
downbarriersinregardstoHIV/AIDS.Myrolewastoorganiseand
co-ordinatevarioussportsleaderstoensurechildrenandadults
areactiveandtogiveeducationworkshops.Ineffect,sportwas
amediatorformoreimportantandusefulmessages.Sportin
Action’saimistoimprovepeople’squalityoflifethroughsportand
recreationalactivities.Formedin1999,SportinActionhasbeen
workingtowardsanactive,healthyandbetterqualityofliving
forall.
SIAtargetgroupswhichincludeorphansandvulnerablechildren,
disabledyouths,menandwomen.Someoftheprojectsincludeyouth
empowermentthroughsport(schoolsport,andHIVandAIDS),the
empowermentofwomenthroughsportandsupportnetworksfor
thoselivingwithHIV.
EstimatessuggestthatinZambiaalone,16%ofthepopulationis
HIVpositive.KalingalingaClinicispartoftheZambianNationalAnti-
RetroViraltreatmentSupportProgramme(ZNARVS),whichSIAisproud
tohelpandsupport.
For12monthspriortomyinvolvement,SIAPeerLeaderAndison
NkhomahadbeenconductingsportsessionsinKalingalingaforthose
livingwithHIV.Fortwomonths,Iassistedandhelpedfacilitatesport
lessonswithAndisonattheKalingalingaSupportGroup.Oursessions
includedgroupdiscussions,whichoccuraftereachsportsession.
Weplayedavarietyofsportsincludingfootball,netball,volleyball
andcricket-thesehelpprovideahealthierandactivelifestyle.The
equipmentwasprovidedbySportinAction.
FindingoutthatyouhaveHIVcanbescaryandoverwhelming
(especiallyifyouareyoung).InKalingalingathereishelp;Sportin
Actionhelpsthoselivingwiththevirustomanagethementaland
physicalimplicationsoftheirsituation.
ThemainaimwastoprovidethoseaffectedbyHIVwithahealthier
lifestyleandphysiologicalsupportthroughthemediumofsport.
TheSupportGroupalsoprovidedasenseofbelongingwithinthe
community,assportprovidesanopportunityforthoseaffectedbyHIV
tocometogether.
AlltheparticipantsinvolvedatKalingalingahavetheHIVvirus,but
thankstoARVs(antiretroviraldrugs)manyofthemhaveveryfitand
activelifestyles.Theintroductionofantiretroviraldrugshasmade
AIDSamoremanageableillness.Itisvitalthatthoseinfectedwith
HIVreceivenotonlythemedication,butalsoemotionalsupport.
EmotionalandphysicalissuesconcerningtheARVsarediscussedwithin
theKalingalingaSupportGroup.
ARVsareveryeffectiveandhelpprolonglifeastheyfreezethevirus.
Nevertheless,itisequallyimportantforthoseinfectedwithHIVto
haveabalanceddietandparticipateinphysicalrecreation.Sportcan
increaselifeexpectancybut,moreimportantly,itprovidesaboost,as
thoseinfectedareabletotalkopenlyaboutHIVandAIDSandsupport
one-anotherindealingwiththeirconcernsorworries.
Alumni Profile
29
PeoplelivinginZambiawithHIVfacemanyeverydaychallenges,
physicallyandmentally.Oneofthemanyproblemsisthatpeoplein
thecommunityfailtofullyunderstandwhatHIVisandaretherefore
scaredofthosewiththevirus.Stigmaandprejudicefromothersin
thecommunityissadly,ifpredictably,common.Nevertheless,through
SportinAction,barriersarebeginningtofallandpeoplearestartingto
understandthiscondition.
TheSupportGroupprovidesasecondnetworktothosewhoremainin
contactwiththeirfamilyandfriends,butforothersthegroupistheir
onlysourceofsupport.InApril2007,theKalingalingaSupportGroup
participatedina12kmrundesignedtoraiseawarenessofARVsand
VCTs(VoluntaryCounsellingTesting).PeerLeaderAndisonandItook
partrepresentingSportinAction.Aftertherun,wediscussedissues
concerningthefightagainstHIVandwaysofeducatingthepublicwith
theformerMinisterofHealthforZambia,MrsAngelaCifire.
Moreimportantly,itwasfantastictoseetheinvolvementofmost
ofthemembersfromKalingalingaSupportGroup.Bytakingpart,
thegrouppubliclyproclaimedtheirstatustothewholeofLusaka.
Arguably,itisonlythroughsportthatthiscouldbeachieved.Thiswas
anenormousstepforthoseaffectedinacceptingtheirHIVstatus,and
demonstratingthatalthoughtheyhaveHIV,theycanstillhaveanormal
andhealthylifelikeanyotherperson.
TheSupportGroupatKalingalingaHealthClinicisahappy,vibrant
andhealthygroupofpeople.TheSupportGrouphasdevelopedin
confidenceandfitnessthroughthemediumofsportandtheadoption
ofhealthierlifestyles.
Thegroupispassingontotheirrespectivecommunitiestheknowledge
theyhavegainedaboutthedangersofHIV.ThetwomonthsIspentin
Lusakawereanunbelievableexperience.Itwastrulyinspirationalfor
metoworkwiththepeopleofKalingalingaSupportGroup.Theyare
themostcourageouspeopleIhaveevermet;theyopenlydeclaretheir
HIVstatusforthewholecommunitytoknow.Bydeclaringtheirstatus
theyencourageotherstotakeaVCT,theyalsoshowthatevenifyou
havecontractedthevirusyoucanstillliveahealthyandlonglife.
ThankyoutothemembersfromKalingalingaSupportGroupwho
participatedinthemakingofthisarticle,youareacredittoyourselves.
Inaddition,IwouldliketothankmycolleaguesatSportinAction,who
madeitpossibleformetoconductthiswork.
IfyouwouldlikemoreinformationabouttheKalingalingaSupport
GroupandtheworkSportinActionisconducting,pleasecontactusat
thefollowingaddress:[email protected]
Graduation 2010
To find out more about Sport in Action visit
www.sportinaction.org.zm/index.htm
Adam with former Zambia Health Minister, Africa
Adam taking part in the 12km run
MarionYateshastakenoverfromDrDavidMouldswhoretiredinJuly2010,after
workingatYorkStJohnfor30years!MarionstartedasHeadoftheInternational
LanguageandShortCourseUnit14yearsago.TheUnitcomprisedasmallattic
room,wheresheworkedwithoneadministratorandashelfofabout15books.Over
theyears,theteamgrewandtheEnglishLanguageactivityattheUniversitynow
bringsinaround600internationalstudentsperyearonavarietyofcoursesfrom43
differentcountries.Therolehasinvolvedfrequentinternationaltravel,andaspecial
responsibilityforrecruitmentandpartnerdevelopmentinChinaandPakistan,where
Marionfeelsprivilegedtohavemanyprofessionalcontactsandfriends.
TakingontheroleofDirectorpresentsnewchallenges,notleastthechallenge
ofdelivering1,000fulltimeinternationalstudentsoncampusinthenextthree
years.However,Marionisconfidentthatherextremelydedicatedteamwillfulfilthe
University’sambition.Marionisdelightedtoseethedevelopmentofouralumni
networkacrosstheglobeandespeciallythefoundingofnewalumnibranchesand
associations.
International news
30
New Director of YSJ International, Marion Yates
NewDirectorofYSJInternational
TheEnglishLanguageprovisionwithinYorkStJohnInternationalhas
beencitedasa‘CentreofExcellence’alongsidesomeofBritain’s
leadinglanguageschools,accordingtothesector’smostwidelyread
publication,theELGazette(EnglishLanguageGazette).TheELGazette
carriedouttheresearchonthepublishablestatementsofallschools
accreditedbytheBritishCouncil.FindingsarebasedonBritishCouncil
inspectors’pointsofexcellencereportsandrateawidespectrumof
Englishlanguageteachingprovision.YorkStJohnInternationalreceived
specialpraiseforitspremises,teachers’qualificationsandaspectsof
generalmanagement,teachingandwelfare.
TheEnglishLanguagedepartmentwithinYorkStJohnInternational
employs21teachingstaffandseesmorethan550studentsenrolon
avarietyoflanguageprogrammeseachyear.Thesestudentsstudyat
YorkStJohnforperiodsrangingfromtwoweekstoover12months
andmanygoontostudyatdegreelevelorontofurthertrainingin
theirchosenprofession.
Successful globalisation conference hosted at YSJ
YorkStJohnInternational–aCentreofExcellence
InternationalFoundationstudentsfromYorkStJohn,Leeds
MetropolitanandTeessideuniversitiesmetforaconferenceat
YorkStJohninJanuary2011,onthethemeof‘Globalisation’.
Thishighlysuccessfuleventinvolvedplenarysessionsandgroup
presentationsbystudents.
InternationalFoundationstudentconference
31
Very entertaining first meeting for Kenya branch
On5October2010,afterstudentsfromKenyawereawardedtheirpostgraduatecertificatesat
StrathmoreUniversity,theKenyanAlumniSocietywaslaunchedinthepresenceofProfessorDavid
MaughanBrownandDrMikeCalvert.Thisinitiativewasdesignedtomaintainstronglinkswiththe
studentsandtoprovideameansbywhichtheycanmeet,shareandsupporteachotherintheir
workinKenya.TherearealreadyalargenumberofstudentsandpaststudentsinKenyatoaddto
thosewhoarestudyingintheUK.
InJanuary2011DrMikeCalverttravelledtoKenyatoattendthefirstopportunityformembers
oftheKenyanbranchtomeetsocially.ThevenuewastheSafariParkHotel,anupmarkethotel
ontheoutskirtsofNairobi.Thesocietymembersweretreatedtoabarbecuedinnerandfloor
show.Thebarbecuewasnoordinaryaffair:chicken,beef,pork,lambandgoatwerefollowed
bycamel,ostrichand...crocodileallwiththeirownsaucestoease
digestion!
TheentertainmentwasprovidedbytheSafariCats,afamoustroupe
ofdancersandacrobatswhoproducedadazzlingdisplayoflocal
dancesandthemostamazingroutines.Itisaccuratelydescribedas
akaleidoscopeofcolour,acrobaticsandrawexcitement.Theevent
wasorganisedbyKenyaBranchlocalsecretaryVitalisRugie,aformer
MALeadership&ManagementstudentwiththehelpofDrAbelKinoti
ofCatholicUniversityofEasternAfrica,aregularattheSafariPark.
Thegroupexpressedtheirthankstotheorganisersofthiseventand
eagerlylookforwardtothenexteventinApril2011.
KenyaBranch
New international alumni groups formed
TheSriLankaAssociationwasformedinApril2010withastrong
emphasisonsupportingotherstudentsandprovidingopportunities
andnetworkingpost-graduation.Asinternationallydispersed
professionals,thegroupislookingtosupportvariouscommunities
throughouttheworldintermsofeducation,trainingandknowledge
sharing.
Theirobjectivesareto:
• PromoteSriLankancultureandnewculturalopportunities
• SharetheirlearningexperiencesofYorkStJohnwithprospective
studentsfromSriLanka
• Welcomenewinternationalstudentsandprovidesupportand
advicenetworksintermsofaccommodation,jobopportunities,and
adaptingtoanewculture
• Knowledgesharingandprofessionalnetworkingbetweengroup
members,otherinstitutionsandlinksinSriLanka
Thegroupcurrentlyhasaninformalset-upandnewmembersfrom
anynationalityarealwayswelcome.During2010theassociationheld
anumberofeventsincludingSriLankanNewYearCelebrations(April),
aFriendshipCricketmatchvYSJPakistanistudents(May),Careersand
informationsharingseminar(September)andaChristmasPartyin
DecemberatYorkStJohn.SriLankanAssociationmemberswillbe
givingaseminarduringInternationalWeekonFriday25March.
YorkStJohnalsohasinternationalbranchesinTokyoandOsaka.IfyouwouldliketojoinanyofouralumnibranchesorforfurtherinformationpleaseE:[email protected].
SriLankaAssociation
Sri Lanka Association celebrate Christmas at YSJ
32
‘Curse you, Toots, all my life I wanted to be a
famous author, what have I got – a famous dog!’
(Eric Knight)
GregChristiewhohasbeenstudyingpart-timeatYorkStJohnsince
2002,isoftenreferredtoas‘Lassieman’bystaffandstudentsfor
hisloveofthelifeandworkofEricKnight–theauthoroftheLassie
novels.ItwasGreg’sinterestinEricKnight’sworkthatpavedtheway
forhisjourneytoYorkStJohn.Hisresearchbeganin1997,justafter
hisneurosurgeongothimbackonhisfeetafterbeingbedboundfor
18months.HerecallshislatewifeElaineboughthim‘SamSmallthe
FlyingYorkshireman’whenhewaslaidup.Thecomicprosenovella
inYorkshiredialectwaswrittenin1937.Onthecoveritsaid‘thisbook
writtenbyLassieauthorEricKnightwasproducedwhentheauthor
wasfarawayfromhomeandfeelingverylonely’.AtthetimeGreg
believedLassiewasAmericanbutafterfurtherresearchhelearntthat
aYorkshiremancreatedwhathereferstoas‘themostenduringliterary
heroine’.
Afterfouryearsofresearchingwhatwasanunexploredfieldandthat
decidingthathewantedtowriteEric’slifestoryitdawnedonhimthat
hehadnoqualifications.SoGregenrolledatYorkStJohntodevelop
hisskillsfurther.
WhenGregstartedhisstudies,heremembersfeelingboththrilled
andterrified,anxiousabouthowhewouldcopewiththework,his
disabilityandbeingamaturestudent.Afterthinkinghewouldn’tlast
sixmonthshesoonrealisedhowencouragingandsupportivestaff
andfellowstudentswere.Greg’ssuggestionsonhowtheinstitution
couldsupportthetransitionmaturestudentsmakecomingbackinto
educationaftermanyyearsout,weresoontakenonboardbythe
University.Gregwouldoftenspeaktoprospectivestudents,enthusing
themwithwhattheycouldaccomplishhereatYorkStJohnUniversity.
In2005GregwasthewinneroftheWinstonChurchillMemorialTrust
LiteratureFellowshiptoYaleUniversity.Then,inOctober2010Greg
wasinvitedtoNewMexicotogiveatalkonEricKnightattheHurd
Ranch&Gallery,ownedbytheHurddynastyofartists(theirfatherPeter
HurdwasaveryclosefriendofEric).AsErichadwrittenpartsofthree
ofhisbestsellersattheHurdRanch,Peter’ssonMichaelthoughtit
wouldbeagreatwaytohonourbothhisfatherandEric.Innovatively
GregcontactedhisassociatesinotherpartsoftheUSandofferedto
givelecturestostudentsandacademicstogivethetripevenmore
meaning.
TobeabletohonouragrowingnumberofcommitmentsGreghadto
raisefundsfromavarietyofsources.TheseincludedtheKnightfamily
intheUS,LeedsPhilosophical&HistoricalSocietyandalsoformer
YorkStJohn’sProViceChancellorProfessorStuartBillingham.Greg’s
Americandreamwasabouttocommence!
Greg follows his hero’s footsteps
GregChristie|BA(Hons)EnglishLiterature
Former Pro Vice Chancellor, Stuart Billingham supported Greg’s American dream
33
Graduation 2010 Student profile
Thetourwasconstructedtofeaturealltheplacesofgreatest
significancetoEric.Beingdisabled,Gregwasfullyaided,assisted
andsupportedinhistripbyhisbrother-in-lawPhilCarter,apracticed
overseasexcursionspecialistwhowasresponsibleforalltravel
arrangementsandsettingupthepresentationsatthevariousvenues.
Heensured,asGregsays,‘IgetwhereI’mgoing,whenI’mgoingthere,
himcarryingmybags,makingsureIgetmymedicationandorganising
everythingfromflightstohandingoutprogrammes,stickingupposters
andmakingthetea–andallathisownexpense.There’snowaythis
tripwouldhavehappenedwithouthim.’
Greg’slectureswereadvertisedas‘TheCurseofLassie’,oftenshocking
hostsintotherealitythatLassieisnotanAmericanbutanentirely
Yorkshirecollie!Hehadagreatresponseandsoonapackedschedule.
Fourteen States and thirteen cities in four weeks, by train – could it be done? Of course!
Greg,alwaysanoutstandingambassadorforYorkStJohn,wouldstart
histalksbythankingthehostsandYorkStJohnandthenshowimages
ofYorkshire’sbeauty.Hewouldthentreathisaudiencetosomebroad
Yorkshireaccent,engagingintotraditionaldialoguewithPhil,much
totheamusementofhisaudience.Greg’slecturesfocusedonEric’s
departurefortheStates,hiseducation,hisGreatWarservice,hisone-
mannewspaperdays,hisfilmcriticdays,andhishatedHollywood
sojourn.Healsoshowedpicturesofhisbeautifulwife,displayedthe
books,bookcovers,publicitytrailersandtitlesofhisninenovels,his
sevendocumentaryfilms,histwoHollywoodmoviesandhisradio
broadcasts.Alsoondisplaywerephotosofhisfriends,Hemingway,
Cummings,Frost,Disney,TracyandHepburn,MaryPickford,Frank
Capraandadozenothers.
During Greg’s journey he followed in Eric’s footsteps by:
• SpeakingatthefamedBoulderWritersConference(whereEricwas
thefirstwriterinresidence)
• GoingtoNiagaraFallsandcrossingintoCanada(asEricdidin1917
tojointheArmy)
• SpeakingatYaleUniversity(whichhousesEric’sarchives)
• GoingtothetopoftheEmpireStatesBuilding(standingonthevery
spotwhereEricandLassiewerephotographed)
• GivingatalkattheQuakertownLibrary(whereEriclivedandtwoof
theaudienceactuallyknewEric!)
• VisitingEric’sfarmhouseinPleasantValley,sittinginhischairand
cradlingthebronzestatueEricmadeofLassie
WhentheaudiencesaskedGregwhyhenamedhistour‘TheCurseof
Lassie’hetoldthemthatEriconcejokinglysaid‘curseyou,toots,allmy
lifeIwantedtobeafamousauthor,whathaveIgot,afamousdog!’
GregisapproachingcompletionofhissecondprogrammeatYSJ,MA
inContemporaryArtsPractice.Histheleadingacademicauthorityon
thelifeandworkofEricKnight,ithastakenoverhislifeandhehas
hundredsofarticlesthathavebeenpublishedallovertheworld.In
thefutureGreghopestogetEric’sautobiographypublishedandis
planningaPhDonaliterarybiographyofEric’sworksdemonstratingits
YorkshireandAmericaninfluences.
Greg at Yale University
34
TheAssociationcomprisesformerstudentsofYorkStJohnandRipon
CollegeswhosememberssupportYorkStJohnUniversityinanumber
ofways.TheAssociationpre-datestheYorkStJohnAlumniSociety
whichwasformedin2003,thoughthemajorityoftheAssociation
membersarealsomembersoftheAlumniSociety.
In the 2009-10 academic year the Association provided
support to York St John University in the following ways:
TheAssociationProjectFund£45,000hasbeendonatedtostaffandstudentprojectssince1993.
Thecurrentannualdonationis£2,500whichismatchfundedbythe
Government(2009-11).
SPARKAnannualdonationof£2,250ismadetotheSPARK(SecuringPotential
andReleasingKnowledge)fund.ManymembersoftheAssociation
alsomakeindividualcontributionstoSPARK.
AlumniAbundantes£1,000wasdonatedtowardsthecostoftherefurbishmentofHeritage
Passage(formerlyWindyPassage)andtheassociatedartworkproduced
byYSJgraduateCatherineScriven.
ViceChancellor’sInitiative£1,000wasdonatedtowardstheshowcasingofClubandSociety
successesandawardwinners.
GovernorRepresentationJudithHewittservesonseveralCommitteesattheUniversityasa
Governor.
Town&GownAssociationLectureTheAssociationprovidesannualsponsorshipinpartnershipwiththe
UniversityofanAnnualLecturewithregardtothepaymentofthe
speaker’sfeeandtravelexpenses.Theyalsosourcethespeaker.
RevenuefromreunionsTheAnnualReunionoftheAssociationandYearGroupReunions
generaterevenuethroughroombookingsandcatering.
VolunteeringJohnMawactsasavolunteerintheAlumniDevelopmentOfficeone
dayaweekworkingwiththeAlumniDevelopmentOfficeteam.He
regularlyattendssportsfixturesandsocietyeventstosupportYorkSt
Johnstudentsaswellasencouragingclubs,societiesandstudentsto
archivetheirachievements.OnaWednesdayJohncanoftenbefound
showinggroupsaroundtheHeritageTrail.
AssociationReunion2011Thedateofthe2011reunionforAssociationmembersis8-10July.This
eventwillalsofeatureanarchivedisplayandaperformancefromthe
BigBand.
For further information please contact Sylvia Shepherd
or T: 01429 268077.
The Project Fund has supported the Big Band
1965 leavers year group reunion
John leading a group around the Heritage Trail
The Association of the Colleges of Ripon and York St John news
35
Archives of Ripon
Aseachreunionhasended,therehavealwaysbeenexclamationsof‘it’s
beenthebestever’–thisyearwasnoexception.Thiswasthankstothe
weather,tothelovelyreunionserviceattheCathedralandtothestroll
throughthecitytoenjoythescrumptiousYorkshirefareattheRipon
SpaHotel,butmostofalltothemanyformerstudentswhoflocked
theretoshareacheerful‘catch-up’withfriends.
ThegardensattheSpamakeabeautiful,colourfulsettingforafter
lunchchatter.Thereisneverenoughtimetosayitall–butmostofus
haveagoodtry!Wealwaysrelyheavilyonthetalentfororganising–
andstamina–ofSylviaandKenShepherdwhoalwaysdoagreatjob.
Everyreunion,ofcourse,isessentiallythesame,buteachhasenough
surprisestomakeitdifferentandexciting.Whiletheyearsstillrollback
andmemoriesbecomeamazinglyclear,thereisstillsomuchtolook
forwardto,especiallythenextreunionwhichwilltakeplace
6-8July2012!
AllformerRiponstudentsarewelcome.PleaseapplytoSylviaShepherd
E:[email protected]:01429268677
Eileen Gibbon
Another memorable Ripon reunion
Ripon newsReunion update
Judith Hewitt and organiser Sylvia Shepherd
JohnMawhasrecentlycomeacrossseveraloldRiponnegativesthat
ourmediadepartmentmanagedtoconverttoimages.Wewouldvery
muchliketobeabletoidentifytheimageswehavefoundasthereare
nodatesordescriptionswiththeimages.Ifyourecognisetheimageor
wouldbeinterestedinassistinguswithotherimages,please
E:[email protected]:01904876432.
AswellashisworkontheYorkStJohnHeritageTrail,JohnMawhas
alsoputtogetheracolourfulinformationbookletonthehistoryof
Ripon,featuringRiponTrainingCollege1862-1975andTheCollegeof
Ripon&YorkStJohn1975-2002.This16pagebookletwasproduced
inassociationwithourArchiveDayinJune2009andfeaturesmany
imagesandeventsinRipon’shistory.
Wehaveanumberofthebookletsavailabletosend
free-of-chargetoanyalumniwhowouldlikeacopy.
Do you recognise this image?
History of Ripon College booklets available for members
36
New Dean ProfessorPamDawsonhasjoinedYorkStJohn
UniversityasthenewDeanoftheFacultyof
Health&LifeSciences,followingtheretirement
ofPaulineGacal.PamjoinsYorkStJohn
fromNorthumbriaUniversitywheresheheld
thepostofAssociateDeanintheFacultyof
Health,Community&EducationStudies.She
hasanimpressivetrackrecordinhighquality
teachingdeliveryandalsoinclinicalresearchin
physiotherapyandoccupationaltherapy.Pam
alsohasextensiveexperienceofcollaborating
withawiderangeofpartners,includingNHS
Trusts,theDepartmentofHealth,andother
public,privateandvoluntarysectororganisations.
Shehasalsoestablishedandbuiltupaportfolio
ofprofessionaldevelopmentprogrammes
internationally,aswellaswithintheUK.
Faculty of Health & Life Sciences news
Occupational Therapy Thesuccessofouroccupationaltherapygraduateshasearnedusa
nationalreputationforexcellence.Weareoneofthelargestproviders
ofoccupationaltherapyeducationinthecountryandarecommitted
toprovidingahighqualityeducationalexperienceforourstudentsthat
recognisestheimportanceofindividuality.Ouroccupationaltherapy
studentsarepeopleofdifferentages,experience,andsocialand
educationalbackgroundsbecausewebelievethatouroccupational
therapyprogrammesareenhancedbytherichnessofthestudents.
Wehavearangeofexperiencedandcommittedacademicstaff,each
personhavingspecialistareasofpracticeinterests.Theseinclude
mentalhealth,paediatrics,olderpeople,longtermconditionsand
housingtonamebutafew.
ExcitingdevelopmentsincludetheResearchCentreforOccupation
andMentalHealth(RCOMH)whichwassetupindirectresponseto
thechallengestoresearchersin‘RecoveringOrdinaryLives’(Collegeof
OccupationalTherapists,2006).Ourmissionistodevelopworldclass
researchinoccupationandmentalhealthtoinfluencebestpractice.
AdditionallythereistheCentreforEnablingEnvironmentsandAssistive
Technology(CEEAT),establishedinresponsetothecriticalneedto
enableindependentlivingofolderanddisabledpeoplethroughan
inclusiveapproachtoenvironmentdesignandassistivetechnologies.
Professor Dawson, arrived in September 2010
York St John University and City of York Council launch new partnership
YorkStJohnUniversityhaslaunchedanewpartnershipwiththe
CityofYorkCounciltoacceleratethedevelopmentofacitywide
re-ablementservice.ItisthefirstKnowledgeTransferPartnershipfor
bothorganisationsandwilluseexpertisefromYorkStJohn’sFacultyof
Health&LifeSciencestofacilitatethedevelopmentofare-ablement
servicewithintheHousingandAdultSocialServicesdepartmentat
CityofYorkCouncil.Re-ablementservicessupportpeoplewithpoor
physicalormentalhealthtohelpthemmanagetheirillnessbylearning
orre-learningtheskillsnecessaryfordailyliving.Itisproventoget
peoplebackontheirfeetmorequicklythantraditionalhomecare
services.
Partnership-building with St John’s University, Tanzania
Untillastyear,StJohn’sUniversity,Tanzania(SJUT)gratefullyreceived
andreconditionedmanyPCsdonatedbyYorkStJohnUniversity
(YSJU).Asanewuniversity(constitutedin2005/6),inaveryresource-
constrainedenvironment,ourcolleaguesatSJUTwonderedhow
theymightcontributetothedevelopingpartnershipwithus.In
February2010,adelegationfromSJUTwerethereforeverypleased
tobeabletooffertoaccommodateandhosteightLevel2students
andDrJacquiAkhurst,fromPsychology,forthestudents’three-week
community-basedworkplacement.
37
Immeasurable value for placement students
InMay-June,ourstudentsfundedthemselvestovisit
Dodoma,thecapitalcityofTanzania,workingina
nearbyschoolasteacherassistants,undertakingavariety
ofactivitiestosupportindividualandsmallgroupsof
learners.OurstudentsalsoworkedontheSJUTcampus,
markingstandardisedtestsandhelpinginthelibrary.
TheymetgroupsofSJUTstudentstobuildcross-cultural
relationships,andthelocalStudents’Unionarranged
outingstoprojectsconcernedwiththoseaffectedbyHIV/
Aidsandapsychiatricunit.Theimpactofthevisitforour
studentswas,intheirwords,ofimmeasurablevalue.
Honorary doctorate awarded to Valerie Taylor
ValerieTaylorOBEreceivedanHonorary
DoctorateinHealthSciences(DHSc)in
recognitionofherlonganddistinguished
careerandservicetothepooranddisabled
peopleofBangladesh.ShesetuptheCentre
fortheRehabilitationoftheParalysedinDhaka
in1979.Today,thecentreisaninternationally
renownedtraininghospitalandrehabilitation
centrewhichregularlywelcomesvolunteers
fromoverseas,includingoccupationaltherapy
studentsfromYorkStJohn.Valerie established internationally
renowned training hospital
Ex-pro footballer graduates as a physiotherapist from
PFA funded programme
TomWilkinson,anex-professional
footballerwithLincolnwhosecareerwas
cutshortbyinjuryisthefirstProfessional
Footballers’Association(PFA)funded
studenttocompleteaPhysiotherapy
degreeatYorkStJohnUniversity.Tom
graduatedin2010aged25,wasthe
firstYorkStJohnstudenttoreceivefull
fundingfromthePFAaftertheUniversity
successfullyrolledoutthescheme
withthePFAthreeyearsago.YorkSt
JohnUniversityisoneofonlyahandful
ofuniversitieswhichreceivesfunding
fromthePFA.ThePFAnowfundfive
ex-professionaloracademyplayersevery
yearthroughtheirstudiesatYorkStJohn
inabidtohelpthemaccomplishan
alternatecareerasphysiotherapists.
PFA funded graduate, Tom Wilkinson
LocatedintheFossbuilding,YSJActiveprovidean
excitingrangeofopportunitiesforsport,exerciseand
recreation.YSJActiveofferafullyequippedfitness
andconditioningsuite,anall-weatherpitchandthree
grassfootballpitchesallofwhichcanbeusedby
alumniandmembersofthepublicatveryreasonableprices.EachyearYSJActiveofferarange
ofExerciseIndustryqualificationsatLevel2andLevel3,whichcanleadtoregistrationonthe
RegisterofExerciseProfessionals.
ExerciseIndustryqualificationsrunningin2011are:
*thesecoursesrequirethestudenttoholdarecognisedLevel2fitness,gymorsimilar
instructorqualificationbeforeregistration.
Thesequalificationsformanessentialentryroutetotheexerciseindustry,soifyouarelooking
toaddtoyourCVorchangeyourcareercontactYSJActiveonE:[email protected]
T:01904876300.
Qualification
Level2CertificateinFitness
Instructing(Gym)
*Level3Certificatein
AdvancedGymInstruction
Duration
2weeks
6weekends
Dates
6-17June
18June-
24July
Registration closing date27May
10June
Cost
£390£280YSJalumni
£390£280YSJalumni
38
HelpandadvicefromtheCareerDevelopmentteamisalwaysavailable
toallmembersoftheAlumniSociety.LizWhitakerandGlynisRushby,
CareerDevelopmentAdvisers,canprovideinformation,adviceand
guidanceon,forexample,careerplanning,careerchange,further
studyoptions,jobsearch,completingapplicationsandinterview
technique.IfyouliveinYorkorplantovisityoucanarrangeacareers
appointment,orwecanarrangetospeakonthephoneorprovide
emailadviceandinformation.ContactusE:[email protected]
T:01904876711/876710.
Calling all 2010 graduates!
Thankstoallthoseofyouwhohavealreadycompletedandreturned
theDestinationsofLeaversfromHigherEducationquestionnairewe
senttoyouinNovember.Thequestionnaireispartofanationalsurvey,
whichwecoordinateonbehalfofYorkStJohn,tofindoutwhatpeople
aredoingoncetheyhavecompleteddegree,certificateordiploma
programmes.Wewouldbegratefulifthoseofyouwhohavenotyet
returnedthequestionnairewoulddosoassoonaspossible;itshould
onlytakeafewminutesofyourtime.Mostofthequestionsjust
requireyoutotickabox;there’snopostagetopayasyoucansendit
backtousintheprepaidenvelopeprovided.
Anyinformationyouprovidewillbeanonymisedandwillhelpto
informpresentandprospectivestudentsandHigherEducationpolicy.
StatisticaldatafromthesurveyalsocontributestoYorkStJohns’league
tableratings.Wearerequiredtomeetan80%targetforparticipation
soarefacedwithtryingtocontactalargenumberofnon-respondents
byphonetoaskforinformation,sopleasedotakethetimetofillinthe
postalquestionnaire.
Don’tforgetthateventhoughyouhavecompletedyourstudiesat
YorkStJohn,youarestillwelcometocontactCareerDevelopmentfor
information,adviceandguidance.
Graduate Internships Success
OverthelastyeartheCareerDevelopmentTeamhassourcedanumber
ofinternshipsforrecentgraduates.FundingfromtheEconomic
ChallengeInvestmentFundhasenabledustopartfundthese,which
hasprovedanattractivepropositiontothoselocalemployerswho
havegivenoneofourgraduatestheopportunitytodeveloptheirskills
andgainexperienceintheworkplace.Ourinternshipemployershave
includedYorkMuseumsTrust,theYorkshireFilmArchive,CityofYork
Council,NYBEP,HigherYork,EllisPatents,AestheticaMagazine,York
StJohnUniversityStudents’Union,LDTDesignandUnitedbyDesign.
Anumberofthegraduateinternshaveeitherhadtheircontracts
extendedorhavesuccessfullyusedtheinternshipasaspringboardto
otheremployment.
TwoofYorkStJohnUniversity’sgraduateinterns,bothFilm&Television
graduates,arepicturedhere:
Career Development at York St John
Tom Dunne Tom has worked on a film for York-based
film production company, Parashoots
Luke TaylorLuke has undertaken internships with
the Yorkshire Film Archive and the City of York Learning and Work Partnership
39
Student population 5,662
GenderFemale 70%Male 30%
Ageonentry20andunder 55%21andover 45%
FacultyEducation&Theology 30%Health&LifeSciences 28%Arts 20%BusinessSchool 11%JointHonours 9%Other(mainlyexchange) 2%
ModeofstudyFull-time 72%Part-time 28%
LevelofstudyUndergraduatedegree 65%Undergraduateother 18%Postgraduate 17%
DomicileHome/EU 93%International 7%
Facts and figures (basedonJuly2010)
5,662 students on our beautiful campus
Study a Postgraduate Course at York St John UniversityWe offer a wide range of full-time or part-time courses so whatever your future may hold we’ll help you to unlock your potentialOur fresh thinking is at the heart of your success
Want to find out more? Visit www.yorksj.ac.uk/postgrad
AluminationThe magazine of the York St John Alumni Society
Alumni Development OfficeT:01904876432|F:01904876971|E:[email protected]|www.yorksj.ac.uk/alumni
YSJ ReceptionT:01904624624|F:01904612512
Careers ServiceT:01904876711|F:01904876586|E:[email protected]
Students’ UnionT:01904876891|E:[email protected]
Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ysjalumnisociety