English students win at 2013 Guild Awards

Mark, who is Subject Chair for BA English and was nominated in three categories, took home the coveted ‘Student Representative of the Year’, while Laura, also BA English, took home ‘Student Staff Member of the Year’ for her role as an Audio and Visual Assistant.

Professor Andrew McRae, Associate Dean for Education in the College of Humanities, comments “The recognition of our students at the Guild Awards is testament to the quality and depth of student activity in Humanities. The winners are undeniable stars, but they're just the tip of a much bigger iceberg. Our new Student Engagement Strategy should ensure that we build on this success in future years.”

The ceremony, which was attended by representatives of the Student’s Guild and senior University staff such as the Sabbatical Officers and Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Steve Smith, was held on the 5 June in the Great Hall. Fourteen categories were awarded and over 450 nominations were received which represented the diverse range of activities that students participate in during their studies at the University of Exeter.

Students from the College of Humanities were nominated in the majority of categories. Theology and Religion Subject Chair Katie Williams received a nomination, along with the Classics Society and another for Mark Gibbs for ‘Outstanding Academic Contribution’.

 Other nominees from the College included Rachel Tait (BA International Relations and French), Abi Hinton (BA History) for Community Action, Calum Baker (MA English Studies) for XTV and Hugh Blackstaffe (BA Film Studies [Cinema and Practice]) for the NaSTA40 Conference & Awards. The English Society’s Exeter Care Homes Reading Project was also nominated for both ‘Outstanding Cultural & Community Contribution’ and ‘Outstanding Student Led Project of the Year’.

 Mark comments on his win, “I was delighted to have been nominated amongst such an inspirational shortlist in this year's Guild Awards, and it is a true honour to be able to take home the award for Student Representative of the Year. Such a victory really is testament to the fantastic team I have had the pleasure of working alongside throughout my time here at Exeter, both within the University through the English Department and College of Humanities, as well as the Students' Guild's remarkable support from the Sabbatical Officers and Representation staff. I have had an incredible night at the Awards Ceremony and cannot think of a better way to end my time here at Exeter, nor could I be more proud of what has been achieved along the way.”

The Students’ Guild Awards recognise, celebrate and reward the exceptional achievements of the Guild’s student groups, representatives and members and the impact they make locally, nationally and internationally. This is the first time that the awards have taken place and the ceremony was considered to be an incredible success. Winners were invited to a private reception at Sir Steve’s home the following evening.

The College of Humanities congratulates all the students nominated and is delighted that so many of our students’ exceptional achievements were formally recognised.