Truesdale prize 2016 awarded to Adam Montgomery

Posted 30 September 2016

County Monaghan graduate Adam Montgomery has been rewarded for his outstanding communication, leadership and teamwork skills with the 2016 Victor Truesdale Award. 

The award is presented in memory of Victor Truesdale, former sales director of John Thompson & Sons Ltd, who passed away in 2001.  The prize consists of a specially commissioned crystal punch bowl and a cheque presented by sponsors John Thompson & Sons Ltd, which are presented to the student from Ireland deemed to have made the greatest contribution to life at Harper Adams University, Shropshire. 

Making the presentation at the biennial Harper Adams in Ireland dinner, held in Portlaois, Mrs Ann Truesdale said: “Adam fulfilled all of the criteria for the award and is a very deserving winner of the prize, which is based on the criteria of effective communication skills, good leadership skills and fitting in as a team player.

“All of those require energy, enthusiasm, commitment, cooperation, respect, integrity and the willingness and desire to learn from your seniors and from your own mistakes. 

“It has been a pleasure to sit alongside Adam and his family this evening. Having had the opportunity to chat I realise that he is a very deserving winner!”

Adam responded: “I am truly honoured and humbled to be awarded the Victor Truesdale prize. I was lucky enough to get various awards during my time studying at Harper Adams but I always wanted this true honour and when I got the news that I had won I was over the moon. 

Speaking to Ann, I have learned more about the dedication that Victor had to John Thompson & Sons and about his strong links to Harper Adams. Having this award in his memory, echoing the attributes he possessed, is a great thing.”

Adam has just graduated from Harper Adams with a distinction in his Master of Engineering – Agricultural Engineering. He is currently working on a farm in Oxfordshire. 

During his time at the university Adam was awarded scholarships from the Studley College Trust, Dougles Bomford Trust, and the Harper Adams Club Predisent’s Award. 

He was one of a small group of engineering students who planned and led a trip to the international agricultural engineering showcase, Agritechnica, in Germany, including securing sponsorship from industry. He was, of course, also an active member of the Harper Ireland student society.

The dinner also featured a speech on the implications of Brexit by Tom Tynan of the European Commission and the cabinet of Commissioner Hogan