Three students from the University of Aberdeen are this year’s successful winners of the 2004/05 City of Aberdeen Quincentenary Awards and were awarded with their medals and prizes on Thursday, June 2.
Ryan Douglas, David Miller and Susan Black will be presented with their awards at a Reception at the Town House tomorrow afternoon at 4.30pm.
Ryan Douglas is a 1st year Master of Letters in History student. Professor Robert Frost, Head of the School of Divinity, History and Philosophy, College of Arts and Social Sciences, is delighted to commend Ryan for his award. He said: “Ryan is truly exceptional, achieving a first class degree at the University of Aberdeen in History in July 2003 and is now making extraordinary progress in his first few months of postgraduate study.
“His approach to studying the Russian Revolution suggests that he could go to the very top of this field, while his progress in Russian language is remarkable.”
Speaking ahead of the presentation ceremony, Ryan, from Hawick, said: "I was extremely surprised, but very grateful indeed, to be nominated for this award by the School of Divinity, History and Philosophy. It is always nice to have your work recognised and hopefully the award gives some indication of the effort that the History Department puts in to encouraging students to make the most of their studies at the University of Aberdeen."
Susan Black, from Hatton of Fintray, is a 2nd year Doctor of Philosophy in Molecular Biology student. Professor Neva Haites, Head of the College of Life Sciences and Medicine, commended Susan’s achievements. She said: “Susan achieved a first class degree here in July 2003 and was awarded the Society of General Microbiology’s undergraduate prize for her excellent academic record.
“Since commencing her PhD she has presented her research at an international level at the Bacterial Neural Networks Conference organised by EURESCO and has been accepted for the prestigious Advanced Bacterial Genetics course held at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, in the USA. I am delighted that her research and the effort she has put in to her studies are being recognised with such a prominent award.”
David Miller is a 3rd year Master of Arts in Mathematics student. The Head of the Mathematics School commended David’s academic achievements and this has been enthusiastically supported by the Head of the College of Physical Sciences who sees David as a potential academic leader for the future.
Professor Hubbuck, Head of the School of Mathematics, said: “David’s academic record is quite outstanding. His interests in Mathematics are broad and like most people of his special ability, what interests him most is whatever he is currently studying. His career intentions are in the first instance to undertake postgraduate studies which will hopefully thereafter lead towards a career in academia. I wish him every success for the future.”
Speaking ahead of tomorrow’s reception, David, who is originally from Caithness, Thurso, said: “I am truly honoured that the School of Mathematics has proposed me for this award and I am keen to undertake postgraduate studies after I graduate which will hopefully lead towards a career in academia.”
The Quincentennial Prize is an annual award, established to honour and recognise the efforts and talents of students, while marking the University’s 500th anniversary. To become eligible for the awards, students are nominated by their Heads of Schools within the University. Two prizes are awarded annually, one in the Humanities including Arts, Social Sciences, Divinity, Education and Law and one in Sciences, including Engineering and Medicine with a third prize being awarded at the discretion of the University. These are awarded on the basis of academic merit, personal qualities and needs.
Each of the three winners will receive a medal and a £1,000 cash prize. Ryan and David will both be attending tomorrow’s Reception.