University News Last updated 29 November
Here at BCU, we’re incredibly lucky to have such a broad range of graduates. Whether it’s being the lead role in Bridgerton or designing China’s most beautiful spaces, to catching fugitives on Hunted and winning The Great British Sewing Bee, it’s been another action-packed year for our alumni. Check out some of our personal highlights!
Alumni of the Year get awarded
This year, we awarded two Alumni of the Year awards to very deserving recipients. Back in January, Mark Cund, Technical Lead in Control and Automation at Komatsu Mining, celebrated his achievements and picked up the award at the graduation ceremony for students from Computing, Engineering and Built Environment students. We sat down with Mark to discover his journey so far.
This was followed by the trailblazer that is Casey Bailey, who was awarded the sought-after prize during summer graduations. Casey is an award-winning Educator, Poet and Writer and turns everything he touches into gold! We were fortunate to have Casey on the BCU Alumni Podcast for a special live recording in October. Watch now
All we hear is Redux Radio
Inspired by Sonic AM, a BCU student radio station from 30 years ago, current final year Media Production students launched their own station, Redux Radio, back in January. Sonic AM was run by 16 Media students at our predecessor institution, University of Central England, launched in December 1993 and broadcasted from the studios at our former City North campus in Perry Barr.
In tribute to the creators of the original radio station and to celebrate the 30th anniversary, current students broadcasted 24 hours a day, with live programming from 8am to 10pm.
In celebration, BCU Media and Communications Alumnus Steve Wynne, who was part of the Sonic AM team 30 years ago, returned to campus to meet with the Redux Radio team, be interviewed live on air and offer advice to those following in his footsteps.
Breathing New Life Into Forgotten Treasures
In a world of single-use fashion and flat-pack furniture, BCU Alumnus Peter Grimshaw is on a mission to give a new lease of life to treasures which could have ended up in landfill. Back in February, we visited Peter at ‘Unearthed’ in Kings Heath. Take a look.
Women's History Month Celebrations
Inspirational graduates and lifelong friends Dr Marcia Shakespeare and Clair Graham reunited at BCU for a live recording of the BCU Alumni Podcast in celebration of Women’s History Month.
The live podcast recording discussed their life and career journeys, the impact that their work has had on our city and wider region, and their incredible advice to students, staff and fellow graduates.
Look At Me Now
One of the biggest highlights of the year was getting so many of our alumni involved with BCU’s new campaign, ‘Look At Me Now’, which celebrates our alumni community who are making their mark across every industry. Our graduates go on to reach their career goals and achieve their potential, making a real difference to people’s lives, in their local community and beyond.
As well as photo and video shoots, and seeing our graduates faces on the side of buses, billboards, trams, and more, those involved in the campaign so far were included in a ‘Look At Me Now’ exhibition in BCU’s Parkside Building in September, which was followed by a fabulous celebration dinner, bringing together those featured and celebrating their achievements.
Guess Who's Back…
This year, we had so many requests from alumni to come back to campus for the day to see what BCU has become since they studied here.
Earlier this year, we welcomed Lawrence Adedayo Adesokan back to campus for his 75th Birthday celebrations. Lawrence graduated with a degree in Accounting from Birmingham Polytechnic in 1975, and it was his birthday wish to come back to university for the day. The alumnus came all the way from Nigeria for his special day in Birmingham, and he was joined by his family who live in London and Chicago. He was shown around our City Centre campus and got to see and experience what it’s like to be a BCU student now.
Education graduates Sue Houston, Helen Donnelly, Gill Howe and Nicola Smith reunited at BCU’s City South campus in September, celebrating 50 years since they started their studies.
The graduates were given a tour around campus, where they reminisced about their time at BCU, and they even met several current Education students and shared their wisdom with them!
Who Run The World?
Back in July, we hosted our first Women in Law event, bringing together a panel of incredible Law alumni who shared their journeys and advice to fellow graduates and women working in their profession across our city.
Check out the photos from the event.
Alumni Secure Spots on Forbes 30 Under 30
BCU Alumna Olivia Mae Hanlon was recognised by Forbes in their annual ‘30 Under 30’ list of the brightest young entrepreneurs and industry leaders. Olivia, who graduated with a degree in Psychology and Criminology in 2019, was named in this year’s Media and Marketing category.
The graduate, who founded ‘Girls in Marketing’ shortly after completing her studies, has enjoyed huge success since. Discover her journey
Liam Sorta, who graduated from BCU in 2018 with a degree in Computer Games Technology, also made it onto the list. Liam is now based in Tokyo, where he is building a hugely successful career in the video games industry.
We caught up with Liam to find out more about his story so far.
Supporting Men’s Mental Health
Our live BCU Alumni Podcast recording ‘Let’s Talk Men’s Mental Health’ took place during Mental Health Awareness Week. The podcast recording, which brought together BCU graduates Craig Pinkney, Johnny Seifert, Nilesh Dosa MBE and Dr Liam Brolan, will discuss the stigma around men’s mental health.
Our alumni panel, whose work around mental health and positive masculinity is having huge impact in their industries and across the UK, discussed their own mental health experiences and how they support other young men with their well-being.
Alumni Give Back
As well as a host of alumni panels taking place across our campuses this year, our graduates have been at the heart of our open days, sharing their advice to those considering studying at BCU and telling attendees all about what they got out of their studies.
Sewing Star
Luke-Matthew Iveson, who graduated from our Royal Birmingham Conservatoire (RBC) in 2012, was crowned the winner of The Great British Sewing Bee 2024. We sat down with Luke to talk about their time on the show and how they felt about winning the competition.
Next Steps
Our ‘Your Next Steps’ event returned for it’s second year back in September, with more than 100 graduates in attendance.
Alumni discovered their benefits as graduates, received careers advice and had their CV checked. They also discovered more about postgraduate study at BCU and enterprise, volunteering and mentoring opportunities. Five graduates also made up an alumni panel, which shared its top tips and advice on securing a role in their chosen industries.
Attendees were also able to meet with employers and have a professional photograph taken for their LinkedIn accounts by alumnus, and one of the faces of BCU's Look At Me Now campaign, Jonathan Williams.
In their ‘Cap and Gown’ Era
A whopping 9,263 graduates crossed the stage at their graduation ceremony this year, officially becoming part of the BCU Alumni Community. We were there at the heart of the action, celebrating with graduates and their family and friends, and gifting lots of graduation freebies!
Meeting the Graduate Behind China’s Most Beautiful Spaces
Architecture alumna Li Xiang is changing the face of public spaces across China.Li graduated back in 2009 and is now based in Shanghai, China. In recent years, she has enjoyed success with her own company, X+Living, establishing herself firmly as a leading figure in her industry.
From restaurants and schools to hotels, offices and retail spaces, Li's company is behind some of China's most iconic spaces, including Zhongshuge Bookstore, known as China's most beautiful bookstore. We sat down with Li to find out more about her fascinating journey so far.
Rooted in Birmingham, Reaching Beyond
Our graduates were at the heart of the launch of BCU’s 2030 Strategy; Rooted in Birmingham, Reaching Beyond. Law alumnus Ibrahim Ilyes and Criminology alumna India Daley shared their inspiring journeys at the event and how BCU helped them to get them to where they are today.
Meeting the VC
Now over a year into the role, BCU Vice-Chancellor Professor David Mba spoke to us when he was just a few months in to share his goals for BCU and how he wants to engage alumni in the future. Watch now.