Seven students scoop Studley College Trust scholarships

Posted 18 February 2016

Seven students at Harper Adams University have been awarded scholarships from the Studley College Trust this year. 

Third year Foundation Agricultural student Jessica Ravenhill-White, from Umberleigh in North Devon, said: “I was honoured to receive a Studley College Trust Scholarship and proud of myself, especially due to the fact there were lots of great candidates. 

“Being a scholar will not only ease any financial pressure but it will also be a boost to my CV and will help me to push myself academically,” added Jessica, who spent her placement year with Mole Valley Farmers as a trainee nutritionist.  Her ambition is to take on the family dairy herd and to expand and further its future and profitability. 

The Studley scholarship was one of three presented to William Ashton, a first year MEng agricultural engineering student, from Leyburn, North Yorkshire. He also received awards from the Douglas Bomford Trust and McConnel. 

William, 19, said: “I applied for these awards because I wanted to further myself and to form links with companies in the industry. As a result of securing the scholarships, I feel more confident in my abilities and that I’ve been given a helping hand towards by career ambitions.” William hopes to become a chartered agricultural engineer.

Clare Durose, 19, from Welshpool, Powys, is a second year BSc (Hons) Wildlife Conservation with Natural Resource Management student. 

She said: “I am honoured that I have been awarded the scholarship, as I know many students that have applied for scholarships. I am touched that the trust has taken the time to read my application and has decided to award me the scholarship.

I also feel relieved, as the scholarship will very much help me to focus more on my studies, making me more financially secure.” Clare is seeking a placement for next year, hopefully working within the conservation farming sector, to help help towards her ambition of managing wildlife in a sustainable way that does not impact farmers and vice versa.

Beth Hanson, a 21-year-old final-year BSc (Hons) Rural Enterprise and Land Management student, from Dilwyn, Hereford, spent last year on work placement and plans to use her scholarships to continue her professional development. Beth receives both the Studley College Trust Scholarship and the Harper Adams Club President’s Scholarship. 

She said: “I completed a 13-month placement with Roger Parry & Partners working as a trainee rural surveyor within the head office in Minsterley. I was given a vast amount of responsibility and had a thoroughly enjoyable and challenging year. 

“I learned far more than I ever could have in the classroom and have taken away a vast amount of invaluable experience for which I will be forever thankful for to Roger Parry. I was allowed to get involved in a wide range of tasks from valuations to compensation claims, estate management to Basic Payment Scheme applications. I had an unforgettable year. 

“Now, having the financial support of the scholarship will enable me to complete further work experience, attend renewable energy conferences to expand upon my knowledge and purchase additional study materials.

“I am delighted to have won both scholarships,” added Beth, who hopes to pursue a career as a rural chartered surveyor through the completion of the APC and CAAV examinations. 

Adam Montgomery, 26, from  from Monaghan, Republic of Ireland, has received the scholarship to help him during the final stages of his MEng Agricultural Engineering course. He said: “I am extremely honoured to receive the Studley College Trust scholarship. This scholarship will allow me to concentrate on my studies and to achieve a distinction level degree. It has also helped me to cover the cost of travelling back and forward to Ireland. I would like to thank The Studley College Trust for their support as it has made a huge difference to my final year at Harper Adams University.”

Adam completed his year in industry at Combilift Ltd in Co. Monaghan Ireland. “This placement was invaluable to me as it allowed me to experience all aspects of working in a global company specialising in customised engineering solutions. This allowed me to apply much of the theoretical knowledge that I had learnt at university to provide solutions in industry. I have also worked on a large arable farm in Oxfordshire and my family farm in Ireland allowing me to keep close links to agriculture throughout my time at Harper Adams University, “ added Adam, whose ultimate goal is to run my own engineering business based heavily within the agricultural sector.

Adam grew up on a beef and poultry farm in Co. Monaghan, Ireland, attended secondary school at Royal School Armagh, Northern Ireland, and moved to Newport, Shropshire where he has lived for nearly five years while at Harper Adams University.

Lee Higgins, 22, from Ballerin, Co. Derry, received the Studley College Trust award, a Harper Adams in Ireland award and The Clyde Higgs scholarship. He said: I am delighted to receive these prestigious awards. It has taken the pressure off my shoulders and allowed me to focus on achieving a good degree”

The Bsc Agriculture with Farm Business Management added: “I want to make a difference in the beef industry back home in Ireland, working within the sector to ensure the sustainability of beef production. I have a family farm at home which I also look to utilise in the future, adding poultry and dairy enterprises aiming to grow in size for the next generation.”

First year BSc (Hons) Agri- Food marketing with business studies student, Sally Leese, 18 from Eccleshall, Staffordshire, said: “I am extremely grateful to be awarded this scholarship, as I feel as though I am able to complete my studies. The financial benefits of the scholarship will allow me to carry out land-based courses alongside my studies.” Sally has ambitions to pursue a career within the livestock sector. 

The scholarships were presented by Trust secretary Christine Copeman and Trustee Margaret Herbert.