Matthew Pearce wins The MacQuitty Prize for the Sciences
By: Justine Charles
Last updated: Thursday, 12 August 2021
Matthew Pearce has graduated this summer with a first class degree in mathematics and has also been awarded the £10,000 MacQuitty Prize 2021 for the Sciences.
Matthew has spoken about what his time at Sussex has meant to him: "I was very unsure about returning to University after spending eight years as a secondary school teacher but, after thoroughly enjoying my first year at Sussex, I knew it was the right decision. I did my best to engage fully with the university experience and work hard, and this award is the perfect culmination of my time at Sussex."
The annual prize, which has run since 2008, is thanks to the generosity of Sussex alumnus Dr Jonathan MacQuitty who graduated with a DPhil in Chemistry from Sussex in 1974.
Dr MacQuitty traced his fortune to attend university to the effect of a single act of philanthropy through three generations of his family. In 1884, his great-uncle won a sizeable prize at university, allowing him to continue his studies and then become a successful doctor.
When the great-uncle died, the legacy passed to MacQuitty’s grandfather then, via his father, to him.
Speaking about the award win, Matthew said: "It is a great honour to receive the MacQuitty Prize and be a part of it's history. The lecturers and tutors were a huge part of my success and without their generously given time and support I would not have achieved what I have. The MacQuitty Prize money will help enormously to ease the financial pressure of having to quickly find a new career path and will also enable me to spend more time with my family, and for this I am extremely thankful."