Press Release
University of Bath Arts & Media Awards 2009
Monday 27 April, 7pm, Claverton Rooms, University of Bath
The University celebrated its vibrant arts and media scene at the annual Arts & Media Awards in the University's Claverton Rooms on Monday 27 April. The evening was introduced by Vice-Chancellor Professor Glynis Breakwell and fourteen talented students were delighted to receive prizes ranging up to £500 before more than 140 guests.
This year's awards included eight new prizes generously supported by one of the University's major corporate partners Abbey-Santander, presented by the Director of Santander Universities UK Luis Juste. These awards, celebrating 'outstanding achievement in the field of arts and media' were announced alongside six existing prizes funded by friends of the University. The evening also featured performances by several Students' Union arts societies.
Those attending the celebrations included the University's Chancellor Lord Tugendhat, who presented the Marjorie VandeLinde Prize, as well as key members of University staff; Students' Union members, long-standing supporters of the arts and a number of prize-funders.
The Vice-Chancellor Professor Glynis Breakwell commented that the event "celebrates not only the high standards achieved by our award winners, but also their contribution to the University's vibrant arts and media scene. Our students are among the academic elite. But they are more than just that: they are distinguished by their quality as 'all-rounders', excelling in sports and the arts."
John Struthers, Director of the Institute of Contemporary Interdisciplinary Arts (ICIA) at the University, added: "The arts can simply provide pleasure and entertain, they can also provide opportunities for students to interact and work together to achieve goals, allow people to experiment with new ideas and provide students with a range of skills that will serve them well whatever they decide to do with the rest of their lives. This University leads the field nationally with the opportunities that we are able to offer and the achievements of the students that have won awards tonight are really something to celebrate."
The prize-winners are as follows:
MARJORIE VANDELINDE PRIZE:
Matt Hayes, Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering
This award identifies the student who has shown not only commitment and development in one or more areas of arts activity but has also encouraged and facilitated the participation of others. They will have been responsible, through their openness, hard work and encouragement, for the participation of large numbers of other students across more than one art form.
Matt has been committed to the arts, particularly in his work with Backstage Technical Services (BTS) throughout his degree. Currently supporting the arts on a wider level with his role as Arts Treasurer on the SU Arts Executive Committee, Matt has been extremely involved on many fronts. He is currently Training Co-ordinator for BTS, a vital role ensuring continuous training for all members from basic to advanced level on a wide range of subjects including stage management, sound engineering, lighting design and pyrotechnics.
Working in a variety of roles from event manager to lighting and set designer, Matt has always been involved in a great number of events every year. He is an inspiration and works tirelessly to raise the profile of arts on campus.
ALAN BRAMLEY PRIZE FOR INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC:
Carolyn Ashurst, Department of Mathematical Sciences
BISHOP PRIZE FOR DANCE:
Natasha Drilon, School of Management
COTURNIX PRIZE FOR VOCAL MUSIC:
Toby Wheatley, Department of Physics
PETER REDFERN PRIZE FOR THEATRE:
Louisa Blair, Department of Natural Sciences
WAYMAN-HORNE PRIZE FOR VISUAL ARTS:
Graham Russell, Department of Computer Science
ABBEY-SANTANDER PRIZES:
EXCELLENCE IN PRODUCTION:
Matt Hayes, Department of Electronic & Electrical Engineering
CREATIVE LEADERSHIP:
Richard Butterfield, Department of Mathematical Sciences
ARTS MANAGEMENT:
Paul Rochester, School of Management
OUTSTANDING ARTIST:
Toby Wheatley, Department of Physics
RADIO:
Steve Ash, Department of Mathematical Sciences
WRITTEN MEDIA:
Ben Cohen, Department of Mechanical Engineering
FILM & TELEVISION:
Stephen Willey, Department of Computer Science
STUDENT MEDIA:
Leon Osborne, Department of Physics
This award is presented to the student who has shown not only exceptional commitment and development in one or more areas of student media, but has also encouraged and facilitated the participation of others.
Despite holding only one committee position in the media groups (head of writing for Campus Television), Leon has shown as much, if not more, passion and commitment for student media than most media committee chairs. He is involved with all three media groups to some extent, and has made a significant contribution to all of them. Notable contributions include: presenting and producing various shows for the campus radio station (1449am URB); editing, proofreading and writing regular features for the campus newspaper (Impact); and writing for CTV's 'The Panel Show' which won the award for Best Light Entertainment at the recent National Student Television Awards. Leon has been an inspiration to many within the University's student media community.
ENDS
