COMMUNITY
Aston Alumni Magazine — 2020
Alumni have been working to help during the Covid-19 pandemic in many different ways, showing the ingenuity and community spirit for which Aston is known.
WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS THE HARDSHIP FUND HERO “I’m a first-generation graduate who came to Aston on a full grant (when such a thing existed). I want other people to have the opportunities that I had, and not be blown off course by something unexpected like Covid-19,” says alumnus Rob Hornby. In April he gave an amazing founding gift of £10,000 to a new hardship fund for students affected by the global pandemic. Rob’s journey started at Aston Business School in the late 1980s when he studied Management and Computer Science, before completing his MPhil in Computer Science in 1996. He then went on to have roles in Old Mutual (Skandia), Sky Television before beginning at AlixPartners where he is currently managing director and chief digital officer. “I’m delighted to help students in a difficult time,” he added, “Aston opened so many opportunities for me, and I want to make sure as many people as possible can benefit from the same experience.” “So far the Student Emergency Hardship Fund has helped nearly 200 students to continue with their studies during the crisis,” commented Geoff Savage, head of individual giving. “The response from alumni has been exceptional." To find out more about how alumni support students in hardship, please visit www.go.aston.ac.uk - 24 -
THE MASK-PRINTER An alumnus in the United States has been directly involved in the manufacture of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Philadelphia-based Aston alumnus, Simon Gainey (BEng Chemical Engineering, 1988) has been helping to solve the discomfort of healthcare workers from prolonged maskwearing. Elasticated masks can cause sore ears when worn all day, but following the invention (by Canadian boy scout, Quinn Callander) of a 3D-printed notched strap that sits at the back of the head, masks can be held in place comfortably. Since sharing the pattern on digital-design platform, Thingiverse, Quinn has enabled others to produce his ‘ear guards’, including Simon’s company, Hardworking Packaging LLC, which has been supplying both the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and Temple University.
