Graduates from 1954 to 2021 were in attendance on the day, as well as former staff, and numerous friends of the University. Guests were welcomed with refreshments and greeted by David Meadows, Philanthropy Manager, and Andrew Harris, Director of Campaigns.
Professor Ashley Blom, Vice-President for the Faculty of Health and Campaign Ambassador, expressed his sincere thanks to guests for their invaluable contributions to the University of Sheffield community, and introduced the Forged in Sheffield, Shaping the Future campaign.
Forged in Sheffield, Shaping the Future emphasises the critical importance of philanthropy in supporting student success at Sheffield, ensuring we continue to be a world leader in cutting-edge research, and boosting the positive impact of our work for our city and region.
Whichever causes mean the most to you, you can be part of shaping the future at Sheffield by getting involved with fundraising, giving your time to volunteer-led projects, and acting as an ambassador for the University. Our alumni and friends of the University are always a vital part of this work.
With your support, we’ll deliver a better and brighter future for our people, our region, and our wider world - a future that is University-led, and truly Sheffield-made. Our campaign video illustrates the full impact of what we can achieve as a Forged in Sheffield community.
After an incredible dinner and time spent catching up with friends old and new, our Hertitage Circle Lunch guests enjoyed a series of talks showcasing some of the life-changing work ongoing at the University - work that would not be possible without the contributions of generous alumni and friends.
The first talk was from Heather Macleod-Jones, Head of Access. Heather has a background in local policy and education. While working in the University's Admissions team, she implemented Sheffield's first contextual admissions offer policy, reducing the degree entry requirements for students from groups typically underrepresented within the student population.
Heather spoke about her work on breaking down barriers and making Sheffield a more inclusive place to study. She also discussed various other measures that the Access team are implementing to help to close the gap, and provide sustained support at every stage of a student’s journey.
The next talk was from Thushan de Silva, Professor of Infectious Diseases, and Professor Graham Stafford, Personal Chair in Microbiology.
Thushan has worked on a range of important infectious disease research, notably leading a programme of SARS-CoV-2 research through the recent pandemic, and was awarded an MBE in 2021 for services to COVID-19 research. He discussed the innovative work being done at the Florey Institute to combat infectious diseases through a multidisciplinary collaborative approach.
Graham Stafford works in the Dental School, teaching Medical and Oral Microbiology. He shared details of his current research, focusing on the potential application of naturally occurring viruses to kill antibiotic-resistant pathogens called bacteriophage.
Following the talks, guests were given a final message of thanks, and then given the opportunity to speak to other guests and discuss any questions with staff and researchers over refreshments.
If you'd like more information on leaving a gift to the University in your Will, please contact Senior Philanthropy Manager, David Meadows, on 0114 222 1073 or d.meadows@sheffield.ac.uk.
See our Legacy web pages for more about the impact and outcomes of giving at Sheffield.