Four students become first recipients of the Richard Matson Scholarship

Posted 14 May 2018

Four students have become the first recipients of the Richard Matson Scholarship at Harper Adams University.

The scholarship has been set-up to provide financial support to students in need, but who have limited access to other hardship funding. It’s awarded in memory of Richard Matson, former chair of governors at Harper Adams from 1994 to 1999. 

Preserving the countryside was important to Mr Matson, so this scholarship opens up opportunities to students who share his passion.

The first recipients of the award are Charlotte Gould, Kathryn Hodgkinson, Lorna Johnson and Anna Lockley.

Lorna, a BSc (Hons) Countryside Management student, said: “I grew up in Wolverhampton and had very little to do with the rural environment and felt that I could be completely out of my depth beginning a degree in countryside management.

“Now I'm in my final year I can safely say it’s the best decision I’ve ever made and cannot wait for the career that lies ahead.”

On receiving the scholarship, the 21-year-old added: “This scholarship will allow me to focus all of my time and energy on my final year at university.

“I’d like to thank my sponsor for giving me the opportunity to prioritise my degree and future career over my current employment.”

BSc (Hons) Food and Technology with Nutrition student Anna, 19, from Stafford, Staffordshire, said: “This scholarship has given me confidence to know that my best is good enough to represent Harper Adams in achieving such a generous scholarship.

“It’ll allow me to pay off my loan for my leaning support equipment and provide much needed assistance in other food development courses, which I wish to take to further my education.

“I can't express enough my gratitude on receiving this award and I’m very proud to represent Mr Richard Matson legacy.”

Charlotte, 22, a BSc (Hons) Animal Management, Health and Welfare student from Walsall, West Midlands, said: “I’d like to thank the Richard Matson Scholarship team for providing me with this award.

“It’ll really make a difference to me, in what is such a crucial year of my degree.

“Most of the work I’ve done throughout my degree has been voluntary, so it fills me with pride to receive financial backing.

“In the future I’d like to work in animal health and welfare inspection, either through local council or charity.”

BSc (Hons) Food Nutrition and Well Being student, Kathyrn, also 22, from Stoke-on-Trent, said: “Receiving this scholarship means I’ll have a much easier transition from my undergraduate to postgraduate degree.

“The award will be a big contribution to my tuition fees as I continue at Harper; undertaking MSc Food Industry Management. I’m so excited to continue studying a subject I’m passionate about and at the university that I never want to leave!

“The support that the Development Trust and the Richard Matson Scholarship have provided me is invaluable and I’ll be forever grateful for their help, as my plans for the future wouldn’t be possible without this award.”

The Horse and Hound wrote a feature on Mr Mason, a leading figure in the sport horse breeding world, who died in 2015 following a short illness.