Since June 2021, over 200 volunteering activities have been undertaken by almost 200 people, with some volunteering on multiple occasions.
Activities in the last year have included sharing video messages, delivering guest lectures, supporting international student recruitment, mentoring students, and providing careers tips.
Alumni give their time to support current and prospective Loughborough students, fellow alumni, and provide advice to the University.
Our Alumni Advisory Board (AAB), a group of 15 alumni, attend regular meetings led by the Alumni President. They advise and share ideas on alumni activities, communications, and events. In the last year they have also met with the Vice-Chancellor and been involved in sessions relating to the new university strategy.
Outside of the Board activities, many of the AAB members have also given their time to deliver guest lectures, be part of panels, and provide mentorship.
Amy Ward has supported the School of Business and Economics’ new alumni masterclass series, whilst Yasamin Fozouni has co-hosted an alumni event in New York, meeting with alumni in-person for the first time in several years!
As covid-19 restrictions have eased in the UK in recent months, we have seen alumni get involved in activities both online and in-person.
Alumni President Oliver Sidwell gave the first in-person Personal Best: My Story talk since 2019. He visited Loughborough University London to meet with students and share insights into his business journey.
In November, several alumni got involved in the Autumn Careers Fest, providing careers advice to students and graduates through a series of online discussion events.
The annual Talk Sport Conference went ahead online, with fourteen alumni contributing to a range of sessions throughout the day in February.
Tens of alumni have supported sessions at the London campus in the last few months. From talks on digital marketing, to the Future Space: Future You events, alumni have shared their experience, advice, and networked with postgraduate students on our campus in Stratford.
Many alumni became mentors on the Future Black Talent Programme (Loughborough) as well as the Monday Mentoring initiative (London).
A range of panels and guest lectures have taken place to celebrate diversity. The Voices of Diversity series, launched in early 2021, has largely taken place online so far. Alumnus and Sky Sports News presenter, Mike Wedderburn, delivered the first in-person lecture of the series in October last year. He later supported the first Black in Sport Summit along with several other alumni, organised by students in the Afro-Caribbean Society. We also celebrated International Women’s Day with Baroness Grey-Thompson DBE, DL.
Alumni have also got involved with other kinds of activities. Over 150 people provided graduation advice in summer 2021, and more than 160 alumni shared what they miss about the UK earlier this year.
However you choose to stay in touch with Loughborough, thank you.
If you are interested in offering your time and expertise in the future, please contact the team.
Main image: Mike Wedderburn. Credit: Flynn Duggan