Durham's New Scholars and New Scholarships for 2019-20

At this time of year we are always pleased to introduce our new scholars as they experience their first term at Durham.

Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, the University's scholarships offering is expanding rapidly.  Here are just three of the new scholarships now available, ensuring that even more are able to enjoy every opportunity the Durham student experience provides.

Two of the new scholarships are in the growing portfolio of support for students resident in the north east and from low-income backgrounds. The Brian Cooper Scholarship was set up by Claire Pringle (pictured right) and her family in memory of her late father Brian Cooper after being inspired by what he accomplished during his life, "whilst my Dad never patted himself on the back for his achievements, my brother and I are extremely proud of him."

Born in Horden in 1938 to a family of coal miners, he left school at 15 to work at Horden colliery while gaining qualifications at night school. Brian worked his way up in his career and became a Human Resources Manager at Northumbrian Water Authority. He then went on to establish the North East office for Coutts Career Consultants where he was instrumental in setting up the sponsorship of an MBA at Durham University. 

The Batey Scholarship is the second of our new scholarships for talented students from the north east. Alumnus John Batey (Physics & Electronics, Hatfield College, 1977-80) has a passion to remove barriers for students from low-income backgrounds in our area so they can fulfil their potential at Durham.

Georgina Parvin-Guerreiro, (Theology and Religion, John Snow College) pictured right, is a member of the first cohort of Batey Scholars and greatly appreciates the way the scholarship has enabled her to pursue her ambitions free from financial anxiety. Georgina aims to begin a career in publishing after completing her degree, "all my life I’ve loved to delve into the world of literature."



The third of our exciting new scholarships are the Weldon-le Huray Scholarships, to support those with exceptional potential in sport, music, or arts and humanities. The Weldon-le Scholarship for Music was established by Imogen (Modern Languages, University College, 1994-98) and Haakon Overli (Economics, College of St Hild and St Bede, 1990-93) this year’s Scholars, pictured above, were lucky enough to be invited to a master class with Chancellor Sir Thomas Allen. After having been in Durham for just a few short months, these scholars are already enjoying rare opportunities they will treasure all their lives.

Hannah McKay (Music, Josephine Butler College) (to the right of Sir Tom and above top) is enthusiastically making the most of her scholarship, "the extra-curricular music activities at Durham are so extensive and I am loving being involved with a number of societies."  Hannah aims to pursue a career in opera and will perform in Durham Opera Ensemble’s Michaelmas production. "It is so exciting for me to finally get to be in an opera production, having never had such an opportunity at home."

Mary-Anne Grego’s (Liberal Arts, St Cuthbert's Society) (left of Sir Tom and above bottom) main instrument is the piano but she also excels in the violin and clarinet as well. Mary-Anne feels "extremely honoured and grateful" to have been selected to receive the Weldon-le Huray Scholarship which is freeing her to make the most of her time in Durham. "I have only been here for just under a month but am already loving the lifestyle at Durham University; I am fascinated by my lectures, the amount of extra-curricular activities and available and the endless fun each day brings."

Thomas Hizzett (Engineering, Collingwood College) pictured above and right, has been awarded the Weldon le-Huray Sport Scholarship, established by Guy (History, College of St Hild and St Bede, 1986-9) and Sarah Weldon (History, Collingwood College, 1986-9). Having excelled at football from a young age Thomas aims to complete his four year integrated masters with a specialism in mechanical engineering while maintaining or improving at football. "I hope that at University I can elevate my level further than I have been able to before. The money from the Scholarship will allow me to purchase new and better equipment and get a gym membership which will both help achieve my best."

Whether removing financial barriers for gifted young people from the north east, or enabling students with exceptional abilities to refine their talents while completing a degree, our donors are enabling more and more to thrive and grasp Durham's life-changing opportunities.

We, and all the students benefiting, sincerely thank the many donors supporting Durham Scholarships.