A big thank you from our student telephone fundraising team!

A student is smiling as she adjusts her computer headset while on a telethon call to an alum. She is wearing a white top, and is looking away in the distance to her right.

Did you receive a call from a University of Bristol student recently? Our team of 30 student ambassadors contacted 1,500 alumni via phone during this year’s telethons. As a community, you helped raise £200,000 for student support initiatives at Bristol.

To everyone who spoke to current students during the 2023/24 telethon: thank you! Our student ambassadors enjoyed speaking with alumni and hearing their stories, and want to thank you for your support. (more…)

Bristol alumni recognised in the King’s New Year Honours list 2024

Wills Memorial building tower emerging from a row of trees against a blue sky

Every year, the New Year Honours list recognises the achievements and services of extraordinary people who have made a commitment to our society. This year is no exception, and 27 of our remarkable Bristol alumni have been recognised for their services to health, community, education, the arts and more. We are extremely proud to showcase their achievements and incredible impact. 

(more…)

Meet our 2024 London Marathon runners raising money for Healthy Minds

Legs of runners wearing race bibs on pavement

In April 2024, a group of five Bristol alumni, two students and a member of staff are taking on the 2024 London Marathon in support of the University’s Healthy Minds programme.

This programme supports students to take positive steps towards improving the way they feel through a varied and socially engaging programme of physical activity and has now supported over 500 students in improving their wellbeing.

Each runner is aiming to raise at least £2,000 for Healthy Minds, and you can support them via their JustGiving pages linked below.

Introducing this year’s runners… (more…)

Watch the Vice-Chancellor’s annual Alumni Briefing

At the start of each academic year, Professor Evelyn Welch, the University’s Vice-Chancellor and President, holds the Alumni Briefing, a digital update for alumni around the world to learn more about the opportunities and challenges she sees ahead. For those of you unable to watch this year’s Alumni Briefing live, we recorded the event to share with you. Click the video below to watch!

(more…)

Applications open for student telephone fundraising team!

Two student callers wearing headsets smile and use a computer.

We are currently recruiting for student callers to work on our spring 2024 telephone fundraising campaign. This is a fantastic opportunity to join a friendly team in which you can build your skills, make a difference, and gain fundraising experience. Applications can be submitted through our online form. (more…)

On George Odlum: Dr Anderson Reynolds on the life of Bristol’s first Black Student Union president

George Odlum stood in conversation with a fellow student (both wearing formal gowns) and Prince Andrew, Queen Elizabeth II is seated at the table beside Odlum.
George Odlum with Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip and a fellow student (image courtesy of the University of Bristol’s Special Collections archive)

During his time at the University of Bristol, Saint Lucian politician George Odlum (BA 1959) was the first Black student in any UK university to become president of the Students Union and went on to become a leading voice in Caribbean politics during a time of significant social change. Although Odlum died 20 years ago, his legacy lives on. Below, Dr Anderson Reynolds shares insights into Odlum’s life from his recently published book, They Called Him Brother George: Portrait of a Caribbean Politician. (more…)

Giles Watkins, author and legacy pledger, on Bristol’s ‘magnetic force’

Giles Watkins (BSc 1986) spent some of his formative years at Bristol writing for the University paper Bacus and has since gone on to write a sell-out book on sleep Positive Sleep: A holistic approach to resolve sleep issues and transform your life, via a career that spanned sales, marketing, oil trading, learning development and general management. Giles credits Bristol with giving him a wide breadth of experience and the confidence to pursue his passions. After working overseas in many different countries, Giles can now be found living back in Clifton where he started out as a student many years ago.

(more…)

Colonel Anne McClain, NASA astronaut and US Army Officer, on space exploration and following your passion

Colonel Anne McClain, NASA
Colonel Anne McClain (image courtesy of NASA)

NASA astronaut and University of Bristol alum Colonel Anne McClain (MSc 2005, Honorary DEng 2023) returned to the University recently to accept her Honorary doctorate, and talk about her space experience, her journey to becoming an astronaut, and the next decade of space exploration. Colonel McClain’s incredible career has seen her fly 20 different aircraft as a Senior Army Aviator, train as a US Navy test pilot, and serve as a Flight Engineer on the International Space Station (ISS), where she spent 204 days and led two spacewalks. In 2020, she became part of the Artemis programme, a NASA-led mission to put astronauts back on the moon by 2024 – with this mission, Colonel McClain could become the first woman to step on the moon.    (more…)