University enews

McFly opening spot for Exeter alumnus' band
A band started by an Exeter alumnus has won a battle of the bands competition to support McFly. Virgin Soldiers placed a video of a song onto the McFly website and received nearly 3,000 'Likes', putting them in the top ten of all the bands.

Annual Fund project makes a difference
As the Spring 2012 project board prepares to vote on this year's project applications, we look at back at a 2011 success story - the very first Community Action European Project in the town of Berkovitsa, north-west Bulgaria.  This was a volunteering opportunity which provided an extensive activity programme for under-privileged orphans.

Your Exeter Reunion Day 2012!
All alumni are invited to return to Exeter for your exclusive reunion event.  Celebrate your time at Exeter and meet up with old friends.  Why not take the opportunity to make a weekend of it?  With a discounted rate for accommodation on campus for all alumni it's the perfect time to explore beautiful Devon.

Ask...Dato' Ambiga Sreenevasan
Dato’ Ambiga Sreenevasan is an Exeter alumna, lawyer, human rights campaigner, Knight of the Legion of Honour and recipient of an International Women of Courage Award from the US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton. We’re inviting you to submit questions for Ambiga, ahead of a new feature in the next alumni magazine.

Them and US!
Events took place in Boston and Tampa last month and provided a great opportunity for our international alumni to catch up and find out what is happening back in Exeter.

In the Spotlight - Professor Sir Steve Smith
BBC Spotlight has begun a new series of in-depth interviews with key figures in the South West.  Among them was our Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir Steve Smith. Watch the interview on facebook...

Exeter remains first-choice destination for best students
Figures released by UCAS show that Exeter remains a first-choice destination for the best students. Applications to study at Exeter in 2012/13, the first year since the introduction of £9k tuition fees, are at the same level as last year with an average of more than six students applying for every place.

A day in the life: student and Deputy Vice-Chancellor change places
Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Janice Kay has had a taste of student life, while third-year English student Imogen Sanders has experienced what it is like to run the University.

University celebrates Dickens’ bicentenary
The University of Exeter is marking the bicentenary of Charles Dickens’ birth, with an exhibition exploring his influence on British culture. The exhibition is free and open to all at The Bill Douglas Centre for the History of Cinema and Popular Culture until 23 March.

Winter graduation honours
At the recent winter graduation alumnus Stephen Edge received an honorary degree. In acknowledgment of the importance of their philanthropy Santander Universities and the A G Leventis Foundation were also inducted into the College of Benefactors. 

Ice Age mariners from Europe were among America's first People
Research by leading archaeologists Professor Bruce Bradley of the University of Exeter and Dr Dennis Stanford of the Smithsonian Institution suggests that some of the earliest humans to inhabit America came from Europe.

Stock market stereotypes undervalue female directors in the short-term
New research into how the stock market perceives the capabilities of female company directors has found that an initial negative response by investors is overturned in the longer term, once markets respond to corporate performance rather than stereotypes.

Research to help stroke victims
University researchers are working with clinicians from the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) and the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (RD&E) to reduce the time it takes from the start of a stroke to the administration of vital clot-busting drug treatment.

University to invest £8 million in sport
The University of Exeter has announced plans to invest £8 million in its sports park. New facilities on the Streatham Campus will include a state-of-the-art health and fitness suite, new studios for exercise classes and upgraded tennis and netball courts.

Alumnae success in Miami World Cup regatta
The Royal Yachting Association (RYA) development squad sailors and former University sports scholars Sophie Weguelin and Sophie Ainsworth have claimed their first World Cup regatta success, joining GBR’s Hannah Mills and Saskia Clark on the 470 women’s podium at the recent Miami World Cup regatta.

22 March: Alumni Reception for Business and Finance
IBM United Kingdom Limited, 76/78 Upper Ground, South Bank, London SE1 9PZ

22 March: Paddon Award Grand Final 2012
Juke Box Room, Kay House, Duryard, Streatham Campus, Exeter

27 March: Sally Walters, alumna; My Engineering life story - so far!
 Harrison Building, Room 004, Streatham Campus, Exeter, 18:30

*9 May: Washington DC Alumni Reception
*Note date change. Details to be confirmed.

17 May: Deborah Meaden: Sustainability and Business
Alumni Auditorium, Streatham Campus, University of Exeter

30 June: Exeter Alumni Reunion
Streatham Campus, Exeter