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Alumni Dinner 2012
Alumni Dinner 2012
Over 170 alumni and guests attended the University of Leicester’s annual Alumni Dinner on Thursday 9th February and enjoyed an evening of fine dining, entertainment and nostalgia in the grand surroundings of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Hyde Park, London.
Hosted by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir Robert Burgess, the evening presented a wonderful opportunity for graduates to meet friends, old and new, and to celebrate the University’s recent successes and achievements. Guests enjoyed an excellent four-course meal with wine, music, dancing and socialising throughout the evening.
The highlight of the night was the highly entertaining speech by Honorary Graduate and renowned TV and radio personality, Sir Terry Wogan, who delighted many guests after dinner by posing for photos and signing autographs.
Sir Terry has been a regular guest of the University of Leicester for many years, holding his annual TOGs Convention at the University since 1984. He has returned time and again thanks to the warm welcome he and his loyal listeners receive for the three-day convention, and in 2010 the University awarded him an honorary degree.
The most poignant moment of the evening was reserved for the recipient of the 2012 Outstanding Alumni Achievement Award, which was presented to Danielle Brown (Law LLB 2010) in recognition of her amazing achievements as a world leading archer in both Paralympic and able bodied competition, as she prepares to defend her Paralympic Gold title at the London 2012 Olympic Games.
“I am delighted that this year’s Outstanding Alumni Achievement Award was presented to Danielle Brown. For someone so young, she has achieved a great deal and has become one of the world’s best archers. To have accomplished this whilst achieving a first class honours degree in Law studying full time is an incredible achievement. We are proud to present her with the 2012 Outstanding AIumni Achievement Award, and in this historic sporting year we wish Danielle all the best in defending her Paralympic Gold title at the London 2012 games.”
Our congratulations and very special thanks go to our graduates and guests, who raised over £3,000 on the night in support of the Cardiovascular Research Centre Appeal. These proceeds will go towards the purchase of vital highly-specialised equipment in the last phase the Appeal campaign.
Congratulations also go to Lucinda and Peter Quirk (Doctorate of Social Sciences 2011), who won the Return to Leicestershire Prize Draw.
This special package included: an exclusive personal tour of Belvoir Castle conducted by Her Grace, the Duchess of Rutland; a luxury overnight stay at Stapleford Park Country House Hotel; a delicious ‘Taste of Melton’ Hamper from Dickenson and Morris of Melton Mowbray, with a half-wheel of Blue Stilton from Cropwell Bishop Creamery, all finished off with a mouth-watering gift box of cordials from Belvoir Fruit Farms in Belvoir.
(Our grateful thanks go to all of our Prize Draw sponsors for providing this unique Return to Leicestershire prize package).
Feedback Prize Draw Winner
The prize draw for submitting feedback about the dinner was won by Robert B Smith (BA Combined Studies, 1977). Our congratulations go to Robert won two complimentary tickets to the "Queen Elizabeth II" exhibition at the V&A in London.
Photographs from the evening
See the photos and read about the Alumni Dinners in 2010 and 2011.
