Amber Hanrahan

Daniel Hajas

Justine Leitarte with Professor Barbara Einhorn and The Reverend Dr Paul Oestreicher

Abbas Abdulrafiu

Sussex’s new cohort of scholars

On a beautiful autumn day, the Meeting House threw open its doors to host the 2017 Scholars’ Celebration event, held in honour of the arrival of Sussex’s new cohort of scholars. Sussex staff and philanthropic supporters also attended the event, which welcomed over 170 students from 28 countries.

As sunshine radiated through the building’s kaleidoscopic glass panes, two Dr John Birch Music Scholars, Charlie Higgins and Hugh Chambers, played jazz as guests arrived to take their seats.

The University’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Stephen Shute, commenced proceedings by thanking those donors who were able to attend the celebration, as well as those who were absent, for their crucial support. Speaking about the transformative impact of scholarships, Stephen emphasised that scholarships really do make a difference, enabling the brightest and best students to come to Sussex, and to ultimately go out and make an impact in the world.

Following this introduction, the audience heard from four students who spoke on a personal level about what their scholarships meant to them, and how the generous support of our donors had influenced their lives, their studies, and their time here at the University.

First on the podium was Amber Hanrahan, recipient of the Harper Scholarship – a three-year bursary to support an undergraduate student.

Reflecting on the profound impact that winning a scholarship had on her, she said: “Sussex provided the emotional and the academic support that I needed to succeed in my studies, but having a scholarship from Jacqui Harper provided the financial support that I needed. This took a stress off my shoulders because it meant that, although I did still work through my undergraduate study, I didn’t have to. I didn’t have to worry about finance while I was studying.

"I am very proud to be in the 1% of care-leavers who go onto higher education and very grateful that I have had the support I needed from Sussex and from Jacqui.”

Daniel Hajas, who was in receipt of a special award from Santander and Michael Chowen, used his speech at the event to reflect upon how this support had contributed towards enabling him to found Grapheel, a charitable organisation that supports science and technology education for the visually impaired.

Daniel, who is visually impaired himself, said: “The scholarship I received last year, to invest in our shared vision, was a huge step forward in establishing ourselves. Speaking to our donors, I’m grateful for everyone who believes in us, and our mission.”

Daniel continued with words of encouragement for his fellow scholars: "Speaking to pioneers of the future, scholars of Sussex, make the most out of your award, the support you receive. Find the seemingly unsolvable challenge, commit to it, then find the solution.”

Further heart-warming and inspiring speeches followed from Justine Leitarte and Abbas Abdulrafiu.

Justine, who is studying for her Gender, Violence and Conflict MA in the School of Global Studies, is this year’s fortunate recipient of the Einhorn-Oestreicher Scholarship. Thanking her donors, Professor Barbara Einhorn and the Reverend Dr Paul Oestreicher, who were in the audience, Justine related the enormous impact that her scholarship has had on her, saying that without it she simply would not have been able to leave her native Latvia and come to Sussex.

In a similar story, Abbas Abdulrafiu, who is one of the SPRU 50th Anniversary Scholars, recounted how his scholarship had meant he could leave his native Nigeria and come to Sussex to fulfil his dream of studying for his masters in Energy Policy.

The afternoon concluded with refreshments being served, affording guests the opportunity to mingle and truly celebrate the achievements of those brightest and best students who now hold highly coveted and prestigious Sussex scholarships.

Amber remarked in her speech at the event: “Money isn’t everything, but it does help, especially when you’re a student!”, and philanthropic contributions do make a huge difference to many students studying at Sussex each year. We are grateful to each and every one of our donors for their generous support, which in the current economic climate is even more vital than it’s ever been, and without it many students would miss out on a University education.

To join those already transforming young lives and find out more about becoming a donor to Sussex scholarships, please visit the Development and Alumni Relations webpage or email alumni@sussex.ac.uk.