Graduates will be celebrating their fantastic achievements on campus as they reach the end of their degrees.  

Amongst those graduating is Product Design Engineering student Chris Ruddock who is already working full-time at the University’s Advanced Technology Innovation Centre on his project ‘Incus’ – a concept he developed as part of his final year project.

Incus provides elite athletes with performance-specific information during training, and an in-depth assessment of how their technique and body-response relates to their performance. Chris, who is graduating with first-class honours, had the idea for Incus as a teenager and received support from his University supervisors to progress it further.

Following a successful business plan and video pitch application, Chris was invited to attend the Loughborough University Enterprise Awards where Incus went on to win the Sports category and Potter Clarkson Intellectual Property Development Awards, as well as being named overall competition winner.

Speaking of his Loughborough experience, Chris said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Loughborough, the excellent facilities, campus feel and friendly staff made me feel right at home from the start. At Loughborough, I’ve enjoyed having the opportunity to try things I’ve always wanted to do, but have never had the chance to get involved in before University.”

Also graduating is Aeronautical Engineering student Laura Webber who has already secured graduate employment with the MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team as an aerodynamicist following two successful placements within the company.

As part of a year-long and summer placement with Mercedes, Laura worked as part of a sub-team to develop the design of external surfaces on and around the rear end of the Formula One car. She progressed from supporting colleagues to developing her own increasingly complex concepts, demonstrating a sophisticated understanding of the mechanics, processes and tools involved.

Laura is the first from her extended family to go to University and encourages others to enter the engineering profession. She said:  “The Loughborough ethos is about being the very best you can be, in everything you do. My experience shows that it is possible to succeed with hard work and determination in all aspects of student life. I am extremely grateful for all of the opportunities Loughborough has given me.”

Fine Art student Paula Riley, who is a Development Trust Scholar, will also be receiving her degree certificate this week. The Development Trust Scholarships are supported by donations from alumni and friends of Loughborough University and enable academically gifted students from disadvantaged background to study at the University.

Speaking of her appreciation for the scholarship, Paula said: “Receiving the Development Trust Scholarship has had a huge impact on my life. I can’t thank the donors enough for their kindness and generosity. The scholarship has made an unimaginable difference to my university experience that I can’t possibly do justice in writing.”