Year: 2012

The University of Reading struck gold twice at the 2012 Olympic Rowing Regatta.

University of Reading PhD student Anna Watkins and her partner Katherine Grainger, put in a tremendous performance to win the Women’s Double Sculls, beating the Australian pair by over a length. The result means Anna, who is studying for a PhD in maths, now has two Olympic medals after her bronze in Beijing.

On the final day of the Regatta Reading graduate Alex Gregory raced in the Men’s Four and despite pressure from the experienced Australian crew, the oarsome foursome lead their final from the start to become Olympic Champions.

Their stunning victories followed Zoology graduate Ric Egington and current Henley Business School MBA Alex Partridge’s fine performance earlier in the week. The duo formed part of the Men’s Eight crew who won a bronze medal in one of the rowing races of the Games. The Eight bravely went all out for the gold medal and were leading three-quarters of the way through the race but just faded in the last 250 metres.

Anna, Alex Gregory, Ric and Alex Partridge are four of the ten University of Reading alumni/students that made the GB rowing squad, the highest number from any UK university. All the rowers say they have benefitted from the University of Reading’s strong support and world-class facilities.

Gold medal winner Anna Watkins said: “Reading had a really good reputation and I knew it was the right choice for me to as it has the right combination of academic excellence and passion for rowing. I’ve been able to take time out of my PhD to focus on the Olympics and the University has been positive and helpful throughout my time there.”

Alex Gregory, who graduated in 2006 with a BSc in geography added: “The University was unbelievably good in supporting me. I joined the senior GB rowing team while at University so I was away a lot at training camps, sometimes weeks at a time. I had great support in my training from both the University and fellow RUBC mates.”

The University of Reading Boat Club (RUBC) is steeped in Olympic success. Four years ago in Beijing, Reading students and alumni added three medals to the team’s impressive tally and in the 2004 Athens Games Reading rowers brought home one gold and two silver medals.

Iain Akhurst, Director of Sports and Recreation at the University of Reading, said: “Many congratulations to all our rowers who represented the GB team. The University is proud of the support it offers student athletes and of the facilities we have that helps them achieve their goals. But of course it takes commitment as well as talent to reach Olympic standard and we are delighted their hard work has paid off.

“It’s also great to see Jonty Clarke, another Reading graduate, in the GB Men’s hockey squad. The team have begun well and we wish Jonty and the rest of the squad the best of luck for the latter stages of the competition.”

Past Olympic legends James Cracknell OBE (BSc Geography, 1993), Garry Herbert MBE (BA History, 1993), and honorary graduate Sir Steven Redgrave CBE DL (DLitt, 2001), who also brought the Olympic flame to the opening ceremony and passed it on to the future talents in sport, have been providing commentary for the UK’s Olympic coverage.

Another University of Reading graduate who will be watching all the medal ceremonies with pride will be Professor David Watkins. David is a leading British artist and sculptor in metal who graduated with a BA in Fine Art in 1963 and designed the 2012 Olympic medals.

“I was of course absolutely delighted, and surprised too, because I don’t normally do this kind of work,” said Professor Watkins when he was chosen as the official designer of the medals. “We decided quickly on the main focus. My ideas developed a little and I did a lot of work tweaking dimensions through computer modelling. Never once was a sketch produced – the medal design was developed using computer software. This way I could see what I was doing from every dimension, and ensure that I was not exceeding the manufacturer stipulations.

“At the University of Reading a lot of what I learnt was to do with seeing things from the perspective of other people, studying different disciplines, whether that was philosophy, languages or maths. I made some dear friends at Reading and of course I have the University to thank for another huge influence, my wife, who I met at Reading!”

For more information about rowing at Reading call Director of Rowing Will Rand on 07989 972 594 or visit the RUBC website

Members of the University of Reading in the Great Britain Olympic Squad

Jonty Clarke (BSC, Economics, 2002)

2012 GB Men’s Hockey Squad

Past achievements: Team GB in Beijing Olympics, gold at the European Hockey Championships, 2009

Anna Watkins (Current student, studying for a PhD in Maths)

2012 Olympic crew: Women’s Double Scull

Past achievements: Olympic bronze medallist 2008, 2011 and 2010 World Champion; 2009 World silver medallist – women’s double scull.

Bill Lucas (BA Politics and International Relations 2009)

2012 Olympic crew: Men’s Double Scull (with Sam Townsend)

Past achievements: 2010 World finalist – men’s quadruple scull; World U23 champion 2008 – men’s double scull.

Charles Cousins (BSc Psychology 2010)

2012 Olympic crew: Men’s Quadruple Scull

Past achievements: 2010 World finalist – men’s quadruple scull; World U23 Champion 2008 – men’s double scull.

Natasha Page (BA Art 2007)

2012 Olympic crew: Women’s Eight

Past achievements: World Bronze medalist 2011; Olympic finalist 2008 (She was selected for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games in the women’s eight and finished 5th) World finalist 2010 – women’s eight.

Ric Egington (BSc Zoology 2001)

2012 Olympics: Men’s Eight

Past achievements: World Champion, 2011 – men’s four; Olympic silver medallist 2008 – men’s eight; 2009 World Champion – men’s four.

Sam Townsend (BSc Rural Environmental Sciences 2010)

2012 Olympic crew: Men’s Double Scull

Past achievements: 2010 World finalist – men’s quadruple scull.

Debbie Flood (BSc Physiology and Biochemistry 2005)

Past achievements: Gold 2010 World Championships, Olympic Silver medallist 2004, 2008,

2012 Olympic crew: Women’s Quadruple Scull

Alex Gregory (BSc Geography 2006)

2012 Olympic crew: Men’s Fours

Past achievements: Gold medallist 2009, 2011 World Championship

Alex Partridge (Current student on Henley Business School MBA programme)

2012 Olympic crew: Men’s Eight

Past achievements: Olympic silver medallist 2008 – men’s eight; three times World Champion 2009, 2006 and 2005 – men’s four; World Silver Medallist 2011 – men’s eight

Adam Freeman-Pask (current student studying for a PhD in Biological Sciences)

2012 Olympic crew: lightweight reserve

Past achievements: gold in three 2012 World Cup races, 6th in the 2010 World Rowing Championships.

Source: https://www.reading.ac.uk/news-and-events/releases/PR456710.aspx

“He was taught to work hard, get the best out of life and be the best he could possibly be.”

Release Date : 06 July 2012

The University of Reading has paid tribute to the late Lieutenant-Colonel Rupert Thorneloe MBE, a graduate of the University, who died in Afghanistan in 2009.

Members of Rupert’s family, including his father Major John Thorneloe and his mother, sister and widow along with Major Guy Stone of the Welsh Guards, who had served alongside Lt-Col Thorneloe were invited to a special ceremony during the University’s summer graduation week. A plaque, situated alongside the University’s existing war memorial under the historic clock tower at the London Road campus, was unveiled in Lt-Col Thorneloe’s memory.

Rupert graduated from the University in 1991. He was then commissioned into the British Army and served with great distinction until being killed in action in Afghanistan three years ago. Lt-Col Thorneloe is the highest-ranking British Army officer to be killed in action since Lt Col ‘H’. Jones’s death in 1982 during the Falklands War.

Sir David Bell, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Reading said: “We are proud and honoured that Rupert was a graduate of this university and of his outstanding service to this country. He made the ultimate sacrifice. It is only right, therefore, that we recognise that contribution so that future generations of students and staff acknowledge that sacrifice as they walk through this beautiful campus.”

Colonel Thorneloe’s name joins those of 144 others from the University of Reading who gave their lives in the service of their country. The Welsh slate plaque was designed and the lettering cut, by hand, by Wayne Hart, a graduate of the University’s Department of Typography & Graphic Communication.

Major Thorneloe said: “Rupert would feel enormously honoured that the University of Reading should remember him in this way. He was extremely happy here, that I remember so well. Rupert often told me that what the University had taught him helped him enormously in his career. He was taught to work hard, get the best out of life and be the best he could possibly be.”

By – http://www.reading.ac.uk/news-and-events/releases/PR454610.aspx

On Friday 22nd June the University’s unique undergraduate BA Programme, Theatre Arts, Education & Deaf Studies celebrated its Silver Anniversary at its new premises within the Institute of Education at the London Road site.

The Programme started life at Bulmershe College of Higher Education in 1986. Yes, it is actually 26 years old but the celebrations were put on hold in order to take place at the newly renovated buildings at London Road.

Designed initially as a one year certificate for deaf actors and teachers of the deaf to develop acting and drama workshop skills, the Programme has evolved into the only theatre and education programme for deaf and hearing students in the UK and indeed across Europe.

More than 60 students, alumni, current and ex staff gathered for a ‘beer and burger’ before touring the new TAEDS building. This was followed by an emotional cabaret of signed poems, signed songs, monologues and performances ranging from current student work, performances by alumni to a rendition of Dylan Thomas’ Fern Hill by Ian Stewart, a former lecturer on the programme and original acting member of the British Theatre of the Deaf in the 1960s and 70s.

Handprint Theatre made up of recent graduates also performed a section of their innovative integrated show for children – Soapy Sam – which incorporates British Sign Language and puppetry.

Highlights included an hilarious signed duet rendition of Jason and Kylie’s Especially For You, a one-woman Sign Supported English – the Musical and culminated in an outrageous monologue, The Angry Vagina from Jacob Casselden, a graduate who performed recently at the Royal Court Theatre in London.

Congratulatory wishes were also received from the department of Film, Theatre & Television (from where the original course was born), Graeae Theatre and Deafinitely Theatre whose artistic director herself was a former student.

Reaction to the celebration includes this blog entry from one of the alumni.

http://stageandsign.wordpress.com/2012/06/26/taeds-silver-anniversary-celebrations/

Simon Floodgate,
Programme Director
28.6.12

Please feel free to take a look at our new campus in all its renovated glory. Follow, Like and stay informed:
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The actor and writer, who made his name playing ‘the Fonz’ in the popular US comedy set in the fifties, visited the University of Reading’s Institute of Education recently during his seventh visit to the UK to promote the awareness of dyslexia and learning difficulties amongst school pupils.

Mr Winkler, 66, visited the National Centre for Language and Literacy (NCLL) on the University’s London Road campus where he spoke to Special Needs Educators, researchers from the University and teachers from local schools.

Henry is offical champion for the My Way! Campaign, which is in its third year of raising awareness of children who find learning difficult, helping them to get the understanding and support of the adults and other children around them.

Mr Winkler said: “When I was at school I was classed as the bottom three per cent academically. Every day I struggled with history, I found math hard and I found spelling hard – although I was great at lunch.

“Sometimes the things my teachers said to me were not helpful. I tried really hard but it was just always a struggle. I was aware I wasn’t doing well and I certainly didn’t need reminding. Teachers are very powerful and what you say to a child will stick like glue.”

Mr Winkler was interviewed by the University’s Vice-Chancellor, Sir David Bell and staff were given the opportunity to ask him questions.

In reply to a question about the importance of drama in education he replied; “I think it is very important. For some children it is the only way to tell the world who they are and develop a sense of self-worth. Acting – saying someone else’s words allows you to get outside of yourself.”

The father-of-three found out he was dyslexic aged 31 when he struggled to read scripts after taking on the role of cool leather-clad Arthur Fonzarelli in the 1970s American sitcom. He was awarded an honorary OBE last year for his work with children with special educational needs.
Source: http://www.reading.ac.uk/news-and-events/releases/PR451843.aspx

The University of Reading has been ranked 25th in the 2013 Guardian University Guide, published today (22 May 2012).

The University climbed seven places from last year’s position (32nd), with particularly strong performances seen in the subjects of agriculture and food (1 in its subject table), archaeology (5), earth and marine sciences (3), education (3) and art and design (3).

Vice-Chancellor, Sir David Bell, said: “The University of Reading continues to rank among the leading research-intensive universities in the UK. While it is pleasing to feature so well in the Guardian league table, this represents just one window into the life and work of our University. It is though gratifying to see how this ranking reaffirms the high regard in which our students hold the quality of teaching, as well as the overall student experience, at the University. It also reflects the strong employability record of our graduates in recent years.”

“While league table are useful tools, prospective students should gauge which university is right for them by visiting their short list of universities, meeting current students, viewing the facilities and talking to staff.”

Education results: http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/table/2012/may/22/university-guide-education
Full results: http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/universityguide