Staff and students who make outstanding contributions to university life were celebrated at the 2024 Hope Star Awards on Friday.
Organised by the Students’ Union, the annual ceremony is an opportunity for the student body to recognise those who go the extra mile to make Hope a better place.
This year’s event generated more interest than ever before, with the 620 nominations received representing a 46% increase on previous years.
The winners were revealed at a special event held in the Great Hall at the Creative Campus and Noah Thorley, Students’ Union Vice-President for Education, praised the positive impact of all those who were nominated.
“The record number of nominations we received this year highlights how many people go above and beyond to make Hope a brilliant place to work and study,” he said.
“It is important we celebrate that and I am delighted we have the opportunity to do just that by organising the Hope Star Awards.
“Reading all of the nominations was a heart-warming experience. I would like to congratulate everyone who was nominated or won an award and to thank them for the work they do to make our community so special.”
This year’s edition included 12 award categories, as well as a special SU Recognition award, which went to outgoing Vice-President for Education, Noah, to acknowledge all his efforts over the past two years.
Tracy Ramsey, Senior Professional Tutor in the School of Social Sciences, won the staff prize, while the student award went to third year Special Education Needs and Disability Studies student, Ellie Curran.
Elsewhere, Fiona Rushe was honoured with the Tutor of the Year prize, with the Catering team’s Amanda Jamieson receiving the Support Staff of the Year award.
In the student categories, final-year Criminology and Musical Theatre student, Isabella Guthrie claimed the Course Rep of the Year prize and Hassa Embalo was recognised with the Hope Star Student in the Community award.
You can check out the full list of winners below.
Vice President’s Award – Staff
Winner: Tracy Ramsey
Vice President’s Award – Student
Winner: Ellie Curran
Hope Star Student in the Community
Winner: Hassa Embalo
Honourable mentions: Harry Bates, Toni Carr, Sacha Hales, Dion Smart
Student Opportunity
Winner: Mbachi Mphande
Honourable mentions: Jane Corbishly, Kate Jones, Alex McKune, Ali Wood
Course Rep of the Year
Winner: Isabella Guthrie
Honourable mentions: Karenne Aspin, Lulu Nathans, Connor Scott, Felicity Williams
Support Staff of the Year
Winner: Amanda Jamieson
Honourable mentions: Emily Brown, Kirstie Mather
Student Staff of the Year
Winner: Heather Gibbon
Honourable mentions: Katie Greenway, Roisin Englishby
Hope Staff in the Community
Winner: Kate Jones
Honourable mentions: Dafydd Prichard, Jo Walls and Fiona Rushe
Creative Champion
Winners: Isabelle Guthrie and Emma Sanders
Honourable mentions: Jo Collins, Damian Wec
Staff Extra Mile
Winner: Niall Doherty
Honourable mentions: Chris Beattie, Dave Merryweather, Laura Seddon
Student Extra Mile
Winner: Madison Campbell
Honourable mentions: Hayley Cullen, Owen Ross
Student Activist of the Year
Winner: Ruby Bartlett
Honourable mentions: Hareth Alshaban, Ellie Baldwin, Jaden West
Tutor of the Year
Winner: Fiona Rushe
Honourable mentions: Joanne Lewis, Dave Neary, Caroline Wakefield