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Scholars and donors inspire each other during popular celebration of Birkbeck’s bursaries

The life-changing impact of donations was praised at Birkbeck’s annual Scholars’ Evening

The positive and life-changing impact of donations, both large and small, was praised at Birkbeck’s annual Scholars’ Evening. Students shared their passions for learning at the event and thanked donors for providing financial support to enable them to achieve their ambitions at work and in life.

More than 150 students, donors and volunteers attended the evening reception at the offices of law firm Clifford Chance in Canary Wharf on 21 July.

Multimedia links

A selection of photos and videos from the event is available. A video featuring students talking about the impact of donor support upon their studies and lives is also online.

Generous donations

At Scholars’ Evening, Professor David Latchman, Master of Birkbeck, thanked “many generous donors” and alumni volunteers for their contributions. He highlighted major donations to Birkbeck from Santander – one of the world’s largest banks – and ArcelorMittal – the world's leading steel and mining company. Scholarships and travel bursaries to visit Brazil are part of a new partnership between Birkbeck and Santander. ArcelorMittal – the business behind the iconic 114.5 metre high ArcelorMittal Orbit sculpture in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park – is supporting Birkbeck students from or studying in east London through its Learning Ladder, which is funding support for undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Professor Latchman added: “My ambition for Birkbeck is that one day anyone will be able to study here regardless of their circumstances.” He also emphasised the popularity and success of the ‘Get Talking’ programme, which pairs up alumni with prospective students. The vast majority of prospective students go on to enrol on a course at Birkbeck after speaking to former students about their experiences studying at the College.

The majority of the attendees at Scholars’ Evening donate to the Alumni Fund with gifts ranging from £5 to over £1,000 per year. Their donations have contributed to Birkbeck’s financial support provision and to projects which improve the student experience. This year 1,364 alumni have donated a total of £202,150, demonstrating an incredible commitment to Birkbeck and its mission.

Students’ perspectives

Donor and former Birkbeck student Daniel Peltz (MA Renaissance Studies, 2009) continued by describing Birkbeck’s high standards and how the knowledge he acquired from his course was “breathtaking.” He said: “I really felt that the experience I had gained from the College was so positive that I wanted to simply give something back. I very strongly believe that the concept of providing education for adults of any age is as much a responsibility for society as it is for the provision of education for its children.”

Bursary recipient Michael Peltier (pictured, above right), 22, explained why Birkbeck’s model of evening study, which allows students to combine daytime work with their studies, is ideal. He stressed that employers want experience, and said he is now able to gain experience from the workplace while he is studying for his BSc in Accounting. Peltier also reiterated his thanks to the donors. He said: “It is inspiring to know that people are willing to help you.”

Alumna Victoria McNeile (Cultural and Critical Studies, 2002; English PhD, 2011) spoke about how she has kept returning to Birkbeck ever since she began studying at the College in 2000 as a birthday present. She now assists with the ‘Get Talking’ programme and said volunteering in this way is “absolutely wonderful.”

Tricia King, Pro-Vice-Master Strategic Engagement and Recruitment at Birkbeck, summed up her extraordinary conversations with many students. These included meeting Patricia Stroud (History of Art 1961, BA Hons History 1968), who boasts a long-standing connection with Birkbeck from 1957, both as a member of staff and as a part-time student  with the renowned architectural historian Nikolaus Pevsner. She now contributes to the Alumni Fund.

King said: “Scholars’ Evening is my favourite evening at Birkbeck as it is all about what is possible. The alchemy at Birkbeck is about what happens in that classroom.”

Donate to Birkbeck

To add your support to the Alumni Fund please visit our secure online giving pages. Your donation will help to ensure that, for students such as those featured in these videos, money is not a barrier to accessing a Birkbeck education. To find out more please contact the Development and Alumni team by email alumni@bbk.ac.uk or call 020 7380 3130.

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