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Posted 29 July 2004

A Cornish student has been honoured with a coveted award in recognition of his outstanding work.

Tom Shepherd, of St Tudy, Bodmin, has been awarded the Philip Oldcorn Memorial Award following a successful year on the University Access Course at Harper Adams University College, Shropshire.

Tom, a former student of Bodmin Community College, was nominated for the award by both his teachers and fellow students. Course Manager, Nicky Hunter, said Tom was a great ambassador for the course. “In addition to his excellent academic performance Tom was voted student representative and has been excellent in promoting both the Access course and the college.”

Principal, Professor Wynne Jones, added: “It is an honour to be selected for the Philip Oldcorn Memorial Award by peers and teaching staff. I am delighted that Tom is the recipient of this year’s award as it reflects on his commitment to his course and his fellow students.”

Such has been Tom’s impact that he has been awarded a degree place to study BSc Rural Enterprise and Land Management at Harper Adams in September. Eventually he hopes to work in property development and management.

Ends

Notes to Editor

Picture Caption: Tom is pictured (centre) with John & Sylvia Oldcorn.

• Philip Oldcorn was a Foundation course student from 1992-1993, during which time he was involved in a car accident. He was in a coma for three years until his death in 1996. As well as establishing the Oldcorn award, Philip’s parent’s John and Sylvia were founder donors to the Harper Adams Club Scholarship fund, established to mark the College's centenary in 2001.

• The University Access Course is a one-year course for students who want to gain access to higher education but do not have A-levels or other suitable qualifications.

• It has run since 1971 with hundreds of students progressing on to Higher Education courses both at Harper Adams University College and other institutions.

• Forty per cent of the students who have passed the course this year have entered straight onto degree courses at Harper Adams and other colleges in the UK. The remaining students have been accepted onto HND courses.

• More than 30 former Access students gained HE awards this year and many out-performed students who entered with A-levels.