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Birkbeck’s annual Scholars Evening celebrates donors’ contribution to College life

Birkbeck has hosted its annual Scholars Evening at a reception on the 30th floor of law firm Clifford Chance in London’s Canary Wharf, welcoming donors, volunteers and students for an evening of celebration.

Birkbeck scholars say thank you

Birkbeck has hosted its annual Scholars Evening at a reception on the 30th floor of law firm Clifford Chance in London’s Canary Wharf, welcoming donors, volunteers and students for an evening of celebration.

The evening enables donors and volunteers drawn from across the College community to hear first-hand the impact that their support for Birkbeck students can have in changing lives. Over 200 assembled guests heard from MA Text and Performance student Imogen Broadbent-Smith on what support from donors had meant to the course of her life.

“I never thought I would do a Master’s degree, I wasn’t even sure I would do a bachelor’s,” she said.                                  

“I have always been passionate about theatre and performance, but in the arts there is not always a clear path to follow to achieve your goals,” she said. “I have been lucky enough to study alongside some of the most interesting and refreshing people I have ever met and I know I will be working with them for years to come.

“My time with you now has affirmed my belief in how important it is to pay things forward,” she added. “I hope one day be in the position of someone on the other side of this lectern who has helped a student just like those of us in the room with you today. On behalf of all the students in this room today, I thank the people who have supported us.”

Professor David Latchman CBE, Master of Birkbeck, introduced the evening, looking back over recent events – especially the EU referendum last month – when reflecting on the College’s resilience in the face of past challenges. He looked forward, too, to Birkbeck’s upcoming 200th anniversary in 2023, striking an optimist note when speaking about the opportunities that would bring, while reiterating that the College was still very much ‘open for business’ in the here-and-now. 

With students, donors and volunteers for some of the College’s programmes – such as mentoring potential applicants on what the reality of studying a degree in the evening while juggling other commitments is like – mingling together, the rest of the evening was spent celebrating student successes when supported by the generosity of donors and alumni over drinks and canapes. 

Support our students Donations from alumni are crucial in enabling the College to offer the best opportunities to those, like Imogen, who would otherwise not be able to access higher education, and change their lives. With your support, we can continue to make that a reality. Make a donation.

Interested in volunteering? By providing your time and expertise, you can make a real contribution to the lives of prospective and current Birkbeck students during a critical time in their lives. Email alumni@bbk.ac.uk to find out more.

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