A L U M N I Notes and news, awards, honours and obituaries 36 YOUR UNIVERSITY | 2019/2020
Alumni Board The Alumni Board was established in 2014 to represent the global alumni community within the University of Sheffield. We are an advisory body, working alongside Development, Alumni Relations & Events (DARE). The Chair and Deputy Chair of the Alumni Board are also members of the University Council and were both appointed Pro-Chancellors in 2017.
The Alumni Board meets three times a year, twice in Sheffield and once in London. All meetings begin with a short report on current issues facing the University from a member of the University Executive Board and conclude with the consideration of past and future alumni events. The Board receives regular updates on fundraising from a member of DARE staff as well as international activities from DARE staff and the Board’s international representatives. The key activities and items discussed this academic year were: • The organisation of the first Convocation Lecture, delivered by Dr Helen Sharman OBE (BSc Chemistry 1984, Hon DSc 2017) in June 2018. The lecture was attended by nearly 400 alumni and guests. An Alumni Forum was convened before the event. The next Convocation lecture will be delivered in 2020. • Consideration of Student and Staff Mental Health Strategies with Students’ Union Officers leading the discussion.
• Our Reputation and Engaging Alumni: a presentation delivered by Corporate Communications and discussion of the two-year project to develop the University’s website. • On-going discussion about the Alumni Portal and its potential advantages for the University of Sheffield’s global alumni community. • Students’ Union Special Research Projects: a discussion of the Union’s long-term funding link with the Alumni Foundation. • Distinguished Alumni Awards: see page 44 for the latest recipients. A copy of the Alumni Charter and full minutes of our meetings can be found at www.sheffield.ac.uk/alumni/ alumniboard. We are always very happy to hear from fellow alumni and we welcome your ideas and suggestions at alumniboard@sheffield.ac.uk Richard Mayson (BA Geography 1983) Chair, Alumni Board
