Wanted: jolly good Fellow for university honour

Feb 27 2008 by Laura Wright, South Wales Echo

CARDIFF University wants to award an honorary fellowship to a deserving member of the public – and is asking for YOUR help.

The prestigious fellowships are bestowed each year to worthy people who have made an outstanding contribution in their field.

Honorary Fellows include Paralympic gold medallist Tanni Grey- Thompson, Falklands veteran Simon Weston and composer Karl Jenkins.

But this year, to celebrate its 125th anniversary, the university wants to pay tribute to the work of a deserving member of the community in South Wales.

The Cardiff University People’s Fellow award will honour somebody who has truly made a difference to the comm unity.

Today we la unch a campaign to seek out that one special person who is worthy of the new and exciting award. For the next eight weeks, the Echo is teaming up with Cardiff University and asking for your nominations.

Do you know someone who has changed lives, who is inspirational or has made a sustained and positive difference to the community?

It could be anyone working on a voluntary basis or in an employed role, but it must be someone whose own actions have positively changed the lives of the people among whom they live or work. Make sure they get the recognition they deserve and nominate them for the first Cardiff University People’s Fellow.

Cardiff University vice-chancellor Dr David Grant said: “A fellowship is the highest honour Cardiff University is able to bestow on an individual in recognition of their achievements.

“From humble beginnings, Cardiff’s achievements are a source of pride and inspiration to a great many people. Over the past 125 years, Cardiff University has become an essential part of life in Cardiff and Wales, which is why we have decided to celebrate this by honouring a worthy member of the South Wales community with the People’s Fellowship.”

The chosen nominee will be made a Fellow at Cardiff’s annual graduation ceremony in July, and be part of the celebrations.

Tell us why you think your chosen person deserves to become a Cardiff University People’s Fellow. Describe how they are making a contribution to the community and how long he or she has been making a difference.

Also include the person’s name, age and contact details, along with your name and contact details, how you know the nominee and how long you have known them. Nominees must be over 18 and live in the South Wales Echo distribution area. Send your nominations to Laura Wright, South Wales Echo, Thomson House, Havelock Street, Cardiff, CF10 1XR, by Friday, April 25 or e-mail laura.wright@mediawales.co.uk

Terms and conditions

It is important that all nominees are consulted prior to nominating them for the Cardiff People’s Fellowship and that the person has given his or her consent to be nominated.

The nominations will go before a judging panel which will include vice-chancellor of Cardiff University, the editor of the South Wales Echo, the president of the university’s students union and the director of the university’s strategic development directorate.

The panel may, at its absolute discretion, seek further references or decide to meet some nominees before reaching its decision.

The Cardiff University People’s Fellow will agree to participate in publicity around the award, which will include, but is not restricted to, interviews with local media, publicity in Cardiff University publications and on the Cardiff University website.

Following selection the People’s Fellow will be informed by letter from the Echo and the university, following which Cardiff University will liaise with the chosen fellow ahead of graduation ceremony.

The selection of the People’s Fellow remains at the absolute discretion of the selection panel which reserves all rights.