This year the Chancellor’s Medal has been awarded to three members of staff: Mavis Fletcher, Professor John Edwards and Professor Tony Bridgwater. The medal is awarded annually in recognition of an individual’s outstanding contribution to the University and all three will be presented with their medals by the Chancellor at the Degree Congregation Dinner on Thursday evening.
Mavis Fletcher, Project Consultant in HR, is described as an “Aston legend”. During her career, she became well known as the authority on regulations and procedures relating to academic staff, and contributed significantly to the improvement of personnel processes. Since her official “retirement” in 1997, the University has continued to benefit from her experience on a part-time basis and she is currently assisting with the development of the HR payroll system and related software.
'The Vice-Chancellor’s letter telling me of the award came as a total, but wonderful, surprise’ said Mavis. ‘I feel genuinely honoured that what I’ve done at Aston has been recognised in this way.
‘What we achieve at work often depends upon the help and commitment of our immediate work colleagues and those with whom we come into frequent contact. Over the years I’ve had the co-operation and support of many wonderful people and I see this award as a tribute to them too.’
John Edwards is Professor of Operational Research & Systems and Deputy Dean of ABS. He is a model “Aston citizen” and balances the interests of ABS with the wider good of the Aston community. He was nominated for the Award due to his encouragement of cross-School collaboration and his contribution to the development and use of ICT across the University. He currently chairs the University’s Regulations Subcommittee.
John told Aspects, ‘Aston is such an enjoyable place to work and I am both honoured and delighted to be awarded the Chancellor’s Medal. My family is really pleased for me too!’
Tony Bridgwater, Professor of Chemical Engineering in EAS, has worked at Aston for over 44 years. He is globally recognised for his pioneering work in the field of bioenergy and is highly respected by his peers and students alike. He founded Aston’s internationally renowned Bioenergy Research Group and has secured over £20M ofresearch funding.
All staff are invited to submit nominations from which the Awards and Honours Committee of Senate makes the final selection. Nominations should be sent or emailed to Emma Sutton in the Vice-Chancellor’s office (e.sutton@aston.ac.uk), outlining the reasons for the nomination and preferably including support for the nomination from more than one School or Department. Please do not inform candidates that they are being nominated.
Words by Louise Russell
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