Winners of the 2019 Distinguished Volunteer Award
On Friday 8 November 2019, we welcomed some of the Award recipients at our Alumni House of Lords Reception in London.
Our first award recipient was Paul Cable, who received the award in recognition of his contribution to Reading Real Estate Foundation (RREF) and his support of real estate students for more than a decade. Already receiving the Mentor of the Year award in 2014, Paul helps students gain knowledge of the industry, helping them to grow their network and offering advice on forging a successful career in real estate. In 2011, Paul joined the RREF Development Committee, and during his time on the committee, he used his own personal network to open doors to potential supporters and helped steer and support the fundraising efforts for RREF.
Saleh Hussain was also recognised with an award for his leadership of the Middle East Chapter for the Henley Business School. Since taking up the role of lead volunteer in early 2018, Saleh coordinates 13 committee volunteers, across seven different countries and four different time zones. In his role as Chapter Chair, Saleh travels throughout the region, ensuring he is available to meet with Henley Business School alumni and enthusing them to become involved. As a result of Saleh's commitment to Henley Business School, alumni across the Middle East are now more active and appreciate improved communications, networking and event opportunities, predominantly facilitated by Saleh. Both Saleh and Paul were presented with their awards by Chancellor, Lord Waldegrave; Pro-Vice Chancellor, Professor Dominik Zaum; and newly appointed Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Dr Parveen Yaqoob, at the 2019 Alumni House of Lords Reception.
Although not present at our House Lords Reception due to her residence in Japan, Yuko Ashitagawa also received an award for her work on CIRCL Japan. After completing an MA in Children's Literature in 2001 and a PhD in English Literature in 2005, Yuko and her former PhD English Professor, Karin Lesnik-Oberstein, set up a sister organisation in Japan for the Graduate Centre for International Research in Childhood: Literature, Culture, Media (CIRCL). Since 2005, CIRCL Japan, under Yuko's leadership, has recruited students for the University. Yuko, now an Associate Professor of English Literature at Bunkyo University in Tokyo, also continues to lead monthly meetings of the CIRCL Japan group for the alumni of the Japanese MA in Children's Literature.
Our final Distinguished Volunteer Award recipient was local community member, Monica Jobson, who has been recognised for her longstanding service as a Harris Garden volunteer. Having given her time for more than 20 years, Monica has responsibility for maintenance of the Long Border - the largest flower border in the garden and one of the main attractions of the Harris Garden on Whiteknights campus. Monica's award was well-deserved due to her commitment to the Harris Gardens to make it into a beautiful natural area for all those at the University, and beyond, to enjoy.
If you would like to find out more about the Distinguished Volunteer Award, please email alumni@reading.ac.uk.
