March was a month full of awards and recognition for the University, with students and staff featuring in finals and on shortlists for initiatives on sustainability and volunteering. Here are the highlights.
We said farewell to Vice-Chancellor Joy Carter who retired on 31 March after 15 years at the helm of the University of Winchester. The Board of Governors made a virtual presentation of an engraved Deputy Lieutenant's badge (Professor Carter is a Deputy Lieutenant of Hampshire). At an informal (and socially distanced!) tea party with members of the Senior Management Team, she also received a gift of amethyst jewellery. We wish Joy the best for her retirement but know that she will keep in touch.
Find out more about Joy Carter's career at the University of Winchester.
A mesmerising performance from Hannah Williams in ITV's The Voice UK live final - including a duet with music icon Sir Tom Jones - earned her a place as runner up in the prime time television singing competition.
After the show, University of Winchester alumna and former Creative Director of the University Music Centre, Hannah said: "Thank you so very much to all my beautiful friends, students and colleagues who have supported me through my entire career, let alone my Voice experience. You're all wonderful and I love you."
While fellow finalist Craig Eddie triumphed in the public vote, we are all excited to see what new adventures await Hannah in the future and send her congratulations for an outstanding performance throughout the show.
During Go Green Week (8-12 March), Vice-Chancellor Professor Joy Carter planted the first of 17 trees donated to the University by WinACC (Winchester Action on Climate Change).
The trees, of differing species to improve biodiversity and help fight climate change, were purchased using money donated to WinACC's Love Miles Levy campaign. They are set to be a lasting legacy on campus.
University students and staff stepped up during the pandemic to volunteer with organisations across the city supporting the vulnerable and needy in the community. This month, their outstanding contributions were celebrated at the second annual University of Winchester Volunteering and Community Champions Awards.
Third-year BA (Hons) Education student Bethany Joseph was named overall Champion for her work as head of the RAG (Raising and Giving) Society. Despite the pandemic, Bethany has been in touch with other student societies to help with their fundraising, as well as being a Covid vaccinator herself, volunteering at her local church, befriending the elderly at Age UK and dedicating her time at home to raising awareness on issues she feels passionate about.
The full list of Champions is available here.
A life-size bronze sculpture of Greta Thunberg was installed at the West Downs Centre.
Titled Make a Difference, it is believed to be the world's first life-size sculpture of the young Swedish climate change activist and is a symbol of the University's ongoing commitment to sustainability and social justice.
In recognition of the importance of art in adding to the inspiring and creative spaces on campus, the sculpture was commissioned in 2019 as part of the £50m West Downs Centre development.
The University's Catering for LIFE (Local Independent Fair Ethical) initiative was shortlisted for the finals of the prestigious Green Gown Awards 2021.
Although unfortunately not winners of the Campus Health, Food and Drink category, the judges praised the University for the past decade of commitment and enthusiasm promoting and providing sustainable food choices on campus. Catering for LIFE highlights the University's commitment to animal welfare and supports the call for action on climate change, as well as addressing several United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals.
Over 400 fragments of medieval painted window glass discovered in a city garden are being cleaned and recorded by David Ashby, a researcher at the University of Winchester.
The cache was found during the fourth Hyde900 Community dig in October 2020, just before the November lockdown. David is the archaeological consultant of the dig, which involved over 200 people of all ages working in the gardens of houses in the area previously occupied by Hyde Abbey.
The Hampshire Chronicle reported that the glass fragments were discovered amongst the demolition rubble alongside the foundations of a medieval wall. The dimensions of the foundations showed that there had been a major two storied building on the site, located close to, but not in, the cloister area. Find out more.
Congratulations to Professor Martin Broad, Dean of the Faculty of Business, Law and Digital Technologies, who has been awarded an Excellence Award from Amity University in New Delhi, northern India. Amity University also conferred an Honorary Professorship on Professor Broad.
In January, students and researchers from the University of Winchester took part in a virtual cultural exchange programme with Amity University. Around 30 undergraduate students from each institution studying on business management courses were partners in the project, which aims to enhance understanding of the ongoing challenges and issues around the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals each country faces.
The exchange was funded by a grant from the United Kingdom India Education Research Initiative (UKIERI) Mobility Programme: Study in India.
More information about the Winchester-Amity exchange programme is available here.
From overcoming challenges to surmounting the perceptions of others, what is it like to take on senior leadership roles as a woman? To mark International Women's Day 2021 on 8 March, Vice-Chancellor Professor Joy Carter and Joyce D'Silva, Ambassador Emeritus of global farm animal welfare group Compassion in World Farming, shared their personal experiences of leadership, in line with this year's theme of women in leadership.
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