Welwyn Hatfield mayor Carl Storer with Andrew Preece, Samantha Sweet and Laura Street

University of Hertfordshire student recognition award winners revealed

By Alan Davies Saturday, May 12, 2012
9:30 AM

OUTSTANDING work in the community was recognised at the University of Hertfordshire Students’ Union annual awards in Hatfield.

University of Hertfordshire Students’ Union Awards

* RaG Awards

RaG Outstanding Contribution Award: Charlotte Erskine

RaG Fundraiser of the Year: Paul Amanatidis

RaG Team Leader of the Year: Hannah Smith

RaG Committee Member of the Year: Laura Walia

* Student Representative Awards

Student Representative Outstanding Contribution Award: Cath Brooks and Daryl Craine

Student Representative Special Recognition Award: Ben Butters

School Student Representative Organiser of the Year: Laurence Cowderoy and Michelle Maguire

Student Representative of the Year runner-up: Marc Slater

Student Representative of the Year: Jamie Middleton

* TRAKS Awards

TRAKS Trainer of the Year: Martin Smith

* Volunteering Awards

Community Champion: Amy Ogle

Best Volunteering Group: Active Students Sport Makers

Student Links Award: Oriental Society

Volunteer of the Year: Kwaku Ankapong

* Society Awards

STAMPS Silver Accreditation: Poker and Hindu Society

STAMPS Gold Accreditation: Drama, Sri Lankan and Believers Loveworld

Society Charity Fundraising Award: RACE Society

Society Community Volunteering Award: St John Ambulance LINKS Society

Best Society Event: Drama Society - Alice in Wonderland

Best Society Collaboration: PSiFA Society and Harry Potter Society

Most Improved Society: Alternative Music Society

Best New Society: Outdoor Society

Society Committee Member of the Year: Mital Thakrar, Hindu Society

Society Committee of the Year: Sri Lankan Society

Society of the Year: Believers Loveworld Society

* Media Awards

Soap Boxer of the Year: Kate Snowdon

Media Outstanding Contribution Award: Annie Vaughan, Luke Osbourne and Esther Garcia del Carpio

Best TV Programme: UHSU Elections

Best Feature or Article: Jamie Cawthra - Keeping the Internet Open - How PIPA Wants Us All to Be Sad

Best Radio Show: Callum Hale

Best Media Committee: Crush Radio

* Special Awards

Rising Star Award: Matthew Creasey

Employability Award: Kenny England

Union Fellowship Award: Ben Butters

Attended by Welwyn Hatfield mayor Carl Storer, university deputy vice-chancellor, professor Graham Galbraith and dean of students Ross Renton, the Student Recognition Awards celebrated those at the Hatfield-based uni who had made a significant contribution over the past year.

More than 30 trophies were presented, honouring volunteers to community champions and university societies.

The Student Links Award, which highlights the work of university students interacting with local primary and secondary schools, was awarded to the Oriental Society.

The team held an interactive origami workshop at St John’s C of E Primary School in Lemsford.

Amy Ogle, a student whose project led a mural wall decoration at Sandridge School, won the Community Champion trophy.

The St John Ambulance LINKS Society received the Society Community Volunteering Award.

This was after members devoted hundreds of hours at venues and events across the county, including attending WGC Football Club, Welwyn Rugby Club, at Watford’s Vicarage Road Stadium, University of Hertfordshire American Football team matches and the London Marathon.

Student Kenny England received the Employability Award, sponsored by the university’s careers and placements service.

Kenny was part of a team who achieved a student radio first by making a completely visual radio show, gaining reviews including comments made online by esteemed radio blogger Matt Deegan, Radio 1 executive producer Joe Harland and coverage by Radio Today.

UHSU president Erica Masefield said: “It is great to celebrate the achievements of our students throughout this year.

“The Students’ Union offers many opportunities to learn new skills for students to enhance their employability and interact in the community, so it is great to see so many students getting involved.”

Dean of students Ross Renton added: “As a university we are very proud to support the Students’ Union with this initiative.

“We have some amazing students here and it is really inspirational to see so many of them volunteering in the local community and supporting each other.”

The University of Hertfordshire Students’ Union provides independent representation and support to the 27,500 students attending the Hatfield university.

Based on the College Lane Campus, the students’ union offers opportunities and services to students ranging from over 90 societies, an advice and support centre, job centre, lettings office, retail shops, skills training and volunteering projects.

* See www.uhsu.co.uk for further information.