Development and Alumni Relations shortlisted for a Times Higher Education Leadership and Management Award

Alumns Mitch Robinson, winner of the Professional Achievement Award at the US British Council’s Education UK Alumni Awards 2015, with Louise Jagger, Director of Development and Alumni Relations at Aberystwyth

Aberystwyth University’s Development and Alumni Relations team has been shortlisted for a Times Higher Education Leadership and Management Award.

Aberystwyth is one of five universities shortlisted in the Outstanding Development/Alumni Relations Team category, along with the universities of Leicester, Manchester, Nottingham and Warwick.

Affectionately known as the THELMAs and now in their eighth year, the awards celebrate the best examples of innovation, teamwork and enterprise in higher education.

Professor John Grattan, Acting Vice-Chancellor at Aberystwyth University said: “Aberystwyth University was built on the generous support of the local community and benefactors from around the world. This tradition continues today, with students benefiting directly from the philanthropy of alumni, who benefited themselves from the generosity of previous generations. Maintaining active links with alumni and sharing in their successes is a vital part of the work of a modern progressive university as we develop our student experience for future generations, and we congratulate our colleagues in DARO on their work in facilitating this and being nominated for this award.”

Over the past year, the Development and Alumni Relations Office at Aberystwyth University has overseen

• the establishment of two international Alumni Associations in New York and Washington, the first since 1989; 
• secured the University’s largest single gift of £500k from a living donor for student hardship, for which the donor and University were awarded a Philanthropy Award and Philanthropy Partnership status by the Community Foundation in Wales;
• played a key lead role in the development of the £20 million project plan to transform the University’s iconic Old College building into a shared University and public resource, including submitting a £10 million bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund
• established a £5.5 million capital appeal strategy for Old College, the most ambitious fundraising plans since the University was founded in 1872.

The team also supported the submission of the award winning nomination of Mitch Robinson, international human rights lawyer, for the inaugural British Council UK Education Award for Professional Achievement (USA) and co-ordination of a high profile visit to the University by Mitch during which he shared his experiences with current students.

Louise Jagger, Director of the Development and Alumni Relations team at Aberystwyth University said: “I am delighted that the department and team have been recognised. I see this shortlist as an important acknowledgment of our commitment and ability to work in partnership with alumni and supporters and with colleagues across the University to advance the ambitions of the University and make a lasting difference to current and future students and the wider University community. I would like to thank all involved in the activities we highlighted in the award for their contribution.

“This news is especially encouraging given our plans to build on the volunteering contribution of alumni in key areas such as careers, recruitment and international support and given our plans to further increase fundraising income through the Aberystwyth Fund, major donations, legacies as well as trusts and foundations. The timing of this shortlist is particularly encouraging given our plans to launch a major capital fundraising campaign later this year to enable the University and our community to achieve our shared vision for New Life for Old College.”

The winners of the 2016 THELMAS will be revealed at gala awards evening at the Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane, London on Thursday 23 June 2016.

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