News

Real World Graduate

(29 June 2004)

University of Durham student, Katy Standish already knows what it feels like to be a real graduate.

Although she doesn't pick up her degree in Environment and Development until Wednesday 30 June her outstanding student achievements over and above an excellent academic performance has been recognized in a national competition.

Katy reached the final of the 2004 Real World Graduate because of the contribution she has made to the university and the wider community during her three years as a student at the University's Queen's Campus, Stockton.

Katy has been widely involved in John Snow College life as International Officer and Senior Durham Students Union Rep. She has also worked as a volunteer with Tees Valley Wildlife Trust, helping to plant trees and hedgerows in nature reserves and parks; spent a summer in the Indonesian rainforests as a volunteer on scientific and social research projects and mentored school children on a weekly basis to actively encourage young people to aspire to achieve their full potential.

Katy said "I feel that during my undergraduate degree I have followed my college's unofficial motto get involved. I am proud to have been part of the development of John Snow College and have enjoyed the wide range of opportunities Durham has offered me".

Professor Martyn Evans, Principal of John Snow College said:"Katy is a committed, able and highly-motivated student, a credit to John Snow College, and a great ambassador for the university. We wish her all the best for the future."

With over 600 students attending summer schools at the university this summer, Katy will remain on campus until August to assist with the various activities before taking up a place at Cambridge University where she will study for a Masters in Geography. In the long term, she hopes to work in the third world countries on environmental projects to help the developing world.

Photo opportunity - Wednesday 23 June 1.15 pm at the reception desk, Castle, Palace Green. Katie will be briefly available for interviews and photos prior to her Congregation ceremony which takes place at 2.00 pm.

For further information contact: Jan Cawood, Public Relations Officer, University of Durham Tel: 0191-334-0018

Notes to Editors



1. Durham University students are involved in a wide range of activities. DUCK (Durham University Charity Kommittee) exists to raise money for local, national and international groups and charities, annually donating thousands of pounds.

Durham University has a proud sporting tradition, is represented in over 45 sports and has the highest student sporting participation rate of any university.

The University's SCA is one of the biggest Student Community Action groups in the country, currently involving over 500 student volunteers in well over 40 projects across the region. It supports and runs an ever increasing number of projects giving a huge range of different volunteering opportunities to its member from educational, creative and active children's projects, assisting children with special needs, working with the elderly and sports coaching.

2. Graduate of the Year 2004 is the first competition of its kind, launched in October 2003 by Real World with PricewaterhouseCoopers and HigherInsight.

HigherInsight is the UK's first statistically representative undergraduate research panel. It asks the panel about issues raised by their peers or by organisations interested in students' opinions. It was launched in 2004 by FreshMinds, the award-winning research, analysis and recruitment company.