Walking withDinosaurs

03/04/05News 06Love Lane

07 Rathbone Hall 09Menai Science Park

10/11 Events 12/13Giving to Bangor

14 Alumni Profiles

AUTUMN2013

Bangor University’s Alumni and Friends’ Magazine

BAFTA winning producerTim Haines brings together

the Arts and Sciences

WelcomeGreetings from Bangor!

With construction of Pontio, the newArts and Innovation Centre in Bangor,well underway, and the creation of anew Science Park in the area, BangorUniversity and the region are enteringan exciting time. In this Bangoriad, webring you news of these projects aswell as the latest from the Universityand the Development and AlumniRelations Office.

We also bring you profiles of some ofour alumni and celebrate alumnicouples in our Love Lane feature.Please do get in touch if you havestories you'd like to share. We valueour alumni and love to hear aboutyour time in Bangor and what you aredoing now, so please keep in touch.

Best wishes,

Bethan PerkinsEditor and Alumni Development Officer

Development and Alumni Relations Bangor UniversityBangorGwyneddLL57 2DGUK

Phone: +44 (0)1248 388332 / 382020Fax: +44 (0)1248 383268e-mail: alumni@bangor.ac.ukwww.bangor.ac.uk/alumni

Bangor University+ 44 (0)1248 351151

As this is the beginning of ouracademic year, I have beenreflecting on what makes theBangor University experiencespecial for our students. Asthere are over 12,000 of themnow, there are of course manyindividual variations on some ofthe overarching themes that Ihave noted during my threeyears here. These include: thequality of our teaching andlearning; the opportunity forstudents to interact withmembers of academic staffwho are leading researchers intheir fields; the extracurricularactivities available at theUniversity and in the widercommunity; and last but notleast, the inspirational qualitiesof our beautiful surroundingsin North Wales.

As our student community isincreasingly — and by design —an international one, I am alsostruck by how interacting withpeople from different culturesprepares students for lifebeyond Bangor University. We are educating our studentsto be good global citizens, andto adapt and expand the best oftheir knowledge from their timeat university as they embark oncareers in many different areas.What unites our diverse groupof over 52,000 alumni, which

our current students will joinwhen they graduate, is theirtime spent in Bangor, and howthis has influenced their futurelife paths.

All of us at the University valuethe financial and volunteersupport that our alumni —of Bangor University, UCNWBangor, Coleg Normal and StMary’s College — and otherfriends provide for the continuedexcellence of this experience. Inthis issue of Bangoriad, you willfind the latest Roll of Donors,which acknowledges the support that individuals andorganisations provide for areasranging from scholarships andstudent activities through toacademic programmes andcapital developments, includingthe Pontio Arts and InnovationCentre, which will open next year.

Thank you for maintaining yourconnection to Bangor, and foryour continued interest in ourfuture success. I hope that youhave an opportunity to visitBangor again sometime soon.

Prof. John G. HughesVice-Chancellor

Awordfrom the Vice-Chancellor

DEVELOPMENT ANDALUMNI RELATIONSOFFICEWe’re here to help you stayconnected to each other andthe University.

Visit our website to see details ofevents, services and benefitswe offer and to learn more about ourfundraising activities. You can alsoread some alumni profiles and finddetails on how you can get involved:www.bangor.ac.uk/alumni

Find a FriendIf you’d like to contact friends whoyou’ve lost touch with over the years,we can help! Email details of your lostcontacts to: alumni@bangor.ac.uk andwe’ll search our database to see if wehave current details for them andtry to reconnect you.

Acknowledgements: The articles printedhere, to the best of our knowledge, werecorrect at the time of going to press. Theviews expressed in this magazine are notnecessarily those of Bangor University orthe Editor. For permission to reproduceany article please contact the Editor.

Data Protection: Alumni data is heldsecurely and confidentially on theUniversity’s Development and AlumniRelations Office database for thepurposes of promoting closer linksbetween Bangor University and its formerstudents. The data is available to theUniversity's academic and administrativedepartments for the purpose of promotingcloser links with alumni, as well as torecognised University societies. For fulldetails visit: www.bangor.ac.uk/alumni

© Bangor University 2013

Keep in touch onlineBangor UniversityAlumniPrifysgol Bangor

BangorAlumni

Bangor UniversityALUMNI

Bangoriad OnlineHelp us save costs and theenvironment by opting in to receiveBangoriad online only. If you’rehappy to receive future editions ofBangoriad via email, please visit:www.bangor.ac.uk/alumni/update to note your interest.

3BANGORIAD

NEWS

www.bangor.ac.uk/news

The Alumnus / Alumna ofthe Year honour recognisesa former student who hasdemonstrated achievementsof particular merit ordistinction in either thepublic or private sectors inWales, other parts of theUK or internationally andBangor University is

pleased to announce Catrin Brace as the winner ofthe first Alumnus / Alumna of the Year award.

Catrin, originally from Bridgend, graduated inWelsh in 1975. From her early work in dialects,oral history and story telling as a researcher forthe Welsh Folk Museum to her present work asthe Head of Marketing and Public Relations USAfor the Welsh Government, she has always had astrong conviction that Wales matters in the world.Catrin regularly represents Wales and the WelshGovernment as a guest speaker at a variety ofevents and dinners and carries out publicdiplomacy at high-level functions, workingtirelessly to promote Wales in the USA in thebusiness, cultural, and academic sectors. Shehas supported many of the University’s eventsand has helped create and strengthen linksbetween Bangor University and the US.

Many congratulations to Catrin on the award.To read Catrin’s full profile, visit:www.bangor.ac.uk/alumni/award/2013

If you would like to nominate a former studentfor the 2014 Alumnus / Alumna of the YearAward, please see our website:www.bangor.ac.uk/alumni/award

DEMENTIA AND VISUALARTS PROJECTBangor University has received £1.2 million infunding from the Connected CommunitiesProgramme to lead a project to research howtaking part in visual arts can contribute to thehealth and well-being of people with dementia.

The Dementia Services DevelopmentCentre at Bangor University has expertisein developing and researching the effectivenessof psychosocial interventions for people withdementia and their carers, interventions thatimprove the health and well-being in olderpeople, and delivering specialised training indementia care.

By working in partnerships with communitygroups the research will produce knowledge andcreate resources that are of direct significance tothe groups involved but also have wider societal,cultural and economic benefits.

ALUMNUS / ALUMNAOF THE YEAR

WELSH LANGUAGESCHEMEIn May, Bangor University reinforced itscommitment to the Welsh language as theVice-Chancellor, Professor John G. Hughes,launched the revised Language Scheme.

The launch highlighted the University’scommitment to maintain the highest possiblestandards, respect the Welsh language, andmake maximum use of the language in everyaspect of its work and mission. In its plans toprovide services through the medium ofWelsh and increase the use of Welsh in theworkplace, the University aims to safeguardits position as the leading provider of Welshlanguage higher education and to lead thefield and support and advise others toachieve the same standards.

4Many congratulations to Bangor University’s University Challenge team who reachedthe semi-finals of the BBC quiz show this summer, beating teams from Durham, St. Andrews and King’s College, Cambridge.

The team were Nina Grant (French & Linguistics), Simon Tomlinson (Psychology),Mark Stevens (Environmental Science) and Adam Pearce (Translation Studies).Team Captain Nina said:“The whole experience has been brilliant. We had no ideawhen we started out that we’d get this far, but I think we had a wide range ofknowledge among the team members”.

ENTERPRISINGSTUDENTSREWARDED B-Enterprising at Bangor University,which supports hundreds of studentsevery year to develop their enterpriseand entrepreneurial skills, has awardednew Entrepreneurship Scholarshipsworth a total of £5,000 to its students.

Catrin Hicks (right), who recently graduatedwith a degree in Design & Technologywith Qualified Teacher Status, won aSantander-Abbey 'Excellence in EnterpriseScholarship' of £1,000 to help developher undergraduate project based on aneyelash applicator.

Other winners were KalaivaniKrishnanmurthi, a Bangor Business Schoolgraduate, who has developed and launchedtwo mobile phone apps, Business Studiesand French graduate Emma-Louise Joneswho gained the highest amount of XPpoints for enterprise activities in theBangor Employability Award, and ComputerScience graduates Lee Williams and ShaneParker who set up a business to developbespoke software and mobile applicationsand provide web services.

A team of student entrepreneurs,whose project ‘University of Ales’ goesfrom strength to strength, also receiveda Scholarship. The team represented Walesin the UK finals of the Young EnterpriseStart Up Programme winning an award forthe Best Investment Proposal/CompanyReport. The team put together a businessplan to work with local breweries torebrand their ales to the student market.

Honorary Fellowships were awarded during BangorUniversity’s 2013 graduation ceremonies to:

Geraint Talfan Davies, Chair of the Institute of Welsh Affairssince 1992 and Chair of Welsh National Opera. Controller ofBBC Wales from 1990-2000

Dr Lyn Evans CBE, FRS, former head of the Large HadronCollider Project at CERN, Switzerland

Dr Peter Florence MBE, founder and Director of theHay Festival

Ann Griffiths, South-Wales born harpist, harp historian,teacher and composer

Eric Hepburn, British Consul General in Washington DCand Bangor Business School alumnus (1983)

Patrick Holdich, British Consul General in Montrealsince 2009 and Bangor alumnus (History, 1978)

Bryan Hope, former Principal Maintenance Engineerfor Gwynedd Council and now Honorary President ofthe Amlwch Industrial Heritage Trust

Tom James MBE, Olympic and World Championship goldmedallist in rowing, brought up in Coedpoeth near Wrexham

Huw Jones, Chair of S4C, co-founder of Sain Recordsand of Teledu’r Tir Glas

Professor Paul Mealor, Professor of Composition atAberdeen University, born in St Asaph

Professor Mark Williams FBA, Professor of ClinicalPsychology at Oxford since 2004 and formerly Professorof Clinical Psychology (1991-97) and Pro Vice-Chancellor(1997-2001) at Bangor University

Also receiving Fellowships awarded in previous years were:

Terry Hands, Director of Clwyd Theatr Cymru since 1997

Terry Jones,Writer, actor, film director – best known forhis appearances and writing for Monty Python’s FlyingCircus (1969-75). Born in Colwyn Bay, Terry Jones hasbeen instrumental in revitalising Theatr Colwyn.

Pictured from left to right: Eric Hepburn,Tom James MBE and Terry Jones

Honorary Fellowships 2013 UNIVERSITY CHALLENGE

ALWYN R. OWENSAWARDED MEDAL

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DRAPERS’COMPANY MEDALSDrapers’ Company Medals are awarded tooutstanding students, based on academicachievement and engagement with the academiccommunity, as well as cultural and socialcontribution through scholarship, impact ofresearch, pastoral support and mentoring.

This year, Rosie Poynor, a PhD student at theSchool of Sport, Health & Exercise Sciencesreceived a Silver Medal for her work, which isexpected to impact on sporting performancethrough improving sports coach education,and for her input to the education of her fellowstudents. A Drapers’ Company Bronze Medalwas awarded to Helen Glanville who hasrecently been awarded her PhD in the fieldof environmental science.

GO WALES CELEBRATEThis year sees the10th birthday ofthe GO WalesProgramme.

GO Wales is apan-Wales programme operating from everyuniversity in Wales. The local office at BangorUniversity is housed within the Careers &Employability Service.

During the pastdecade, the BangorOffice has facilitated 530 subsidisedplacements withlocal, smallbusinesses as wellas 33 subsidised placements with the publicsector. They have organised over 400 WorkTasters across the region and, since 2009,have approved 170 applications for fundingfor training.

Read some of the success stories online:www.gowales.co.uk/en/Employer/News

To find out more about how GO Wales supportsgraduates and employers in Wales visit:www.gowales.co.uk or contact the team atBangor University on: 01248 383 586 /gowales@bangor.ac.uk

PROMOTING BANGOR’SHISTORY AND HERITAGEThe new academic year will see the renamingof a number of rooms in the Main UniversityBuilding after prominent individuals associatedwith the history of the University.

The Main Arts Lecture Theatre will be renamedthe Eric Sunderland Lecture Theatre, inmemory of the former Vice-Chancellor, and thefive lecture rooms will be named after J. F.Danby, Brenda Chamberlain, R. T. Jenkins, SirIfor Williams and A. H. Dodd. Rooms will alsobe named after R. Williams Parry and KateRoberts, with the current Terrace ConferenceRooms renamed the Cledwyn Rooms.

Renowned engineer and former Head of theElectronics Department at Bangor University,Alwyn R. Owens (above), was the winner of thisyear’s Denbighshire and District NationalEisteddfod Science and Technology Medal.Alwyn graduated from Bangor in 1952 with afirst class honours degree in ElectronicEngineering before studying Mathematics as apostgraduate then moving to ManchesterUniversity for his higher degree. He workedwith Atomic Energy Research Establishment(AERE) in Harwell for 5 years before returningto Bangor in 1960 where he taught until hisretirement in 1998. Congratulations Alwyn!

WALES’ GREENESTUNIVERSITY Bangor University has been ranked 18th in theworld for its commitment to the ‘green agenda’according to a global ranking. Compiled byUniversitas Indonesia (UI), the table comparesuniversities’ efforts towards sustainability andenvironment friendly university management incategories such as waste management, waterusage and transportation.

MAES GLAS GETSA FACELIFT

As part of phase 1 of a major refurbishment projectat Bangor University’s Maes Glas sports centre, anAirDome has been installed to provide more spacefor student netball and tennis competitions alongwith a host of other activities. The dome has beeninstalled over two outdoor tennis courts meaningthat tennis can be played all year round as well asproviding two additional netball courts for the fourBangor University netball teams.

Phase 2 of the refurbishment project will involvean internal reconfiguration of the Maes Glas sportcentre including the creation of a two storey gym,new studio for exercise classes and a muchneeded makeover of the changing rooms.

Don’t forget that Bangor alumni can receive up to30% off membership, classes and pitch hire atMaes Glas – ask at reception for further details.

FELLOWS OF THELEARNED SOCIETYOF WALESCongratulations to four Bangor Universityacademics who have been elected Fellows of TheLearned Society of Wales.

They are: Professor Dyfrig Hughes FLSW,Professor of Pharmacoeconomics at BangorUniversity’s Centre for Health Economics andMedicines Evaluation; Professor John HughesFBCS FLSW, the University’s Vice-Chancellor;Professor Jerry Hunter FLSW, Professor of Welshat the University’s School of Welsh and Director ofResearch (Culture),Pontio and The ReverendProfessor Thomas Watkin FLSW,Honorary Professor of Law.

Rosie Poyner (right) and Master DraperLady Victoria Diana Leatham, DL

INTERNATIONALEMPLOYABILITYThe International Employability Project, a newjoint project in collaboration with AberystwythUniversity, funded by the Higher EducationAcademy, aims to improve the globalemployment prospects of our students. Theproject aims to assist students and graduatesin accessing international employmentopportunities through our alumni byidentifying work placements and internshipsabroad, by advertising international jobvacancies, and by developing contact withinternational employers (including those inthe UK with an international focus) who arewilling to mentor our students by email,telephone or in person. If you can contributeany placements or mentor a BangorUniversity student please contact us at:internationalemployability@bangor.ac.uk

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Did you ever stroll down Bangor’s LoveLane with your now significant otherwhen you were students atthe University? Many of our alumniare married to other alumni whothey met as students during theirtime in Bangor. In fact, BethanPerkins (née Taylor, Linguistics, 2002),our own Alumni Development Officer,met her husband Dave when they wereboth students living in Neuadd Reichel!

Below is a selection of Bangor lovestories and more can be found online at:www.bangor.ac.uk/alumni/lovelane

“We got engaged inNovember 1968. Philleft Bangor after 2years but got a jobeighteen monthslater in Colwyn Baywith the Home Officelooking after policeand firetelecommunications.Then, a few decadeslater, building oncomputing “stuff” he

studied at Bangor, moved into computer hardwareuntil he retired. I graduated in 1971, when we gotmarried, then did my P.G.C.E. in Bangor andtaught English and R.E. until I retired. We live inMacclesfield, which is my home town.

We have two children, Michael (35) – RAF, thena D.T. teaching degree at Sheffield Hallam, andLiz (30) – Family Studies degree at Lancaster andjust finished an M.A. in Social Work at Salford. Welive in Macclesfield and enjoy the grandparents’privilege of looking after our grandson, Albert,each week.

Bangor was a wonderful backdrop to studyingand our relationship. We go back often and haveenjoyed the alumni events we have attendedenormously.”

Delia Archer (née Spilsted), English andBiblical Studies, 1971

“I met my husbandMahfuz when acommon friendintroduced us in2007. We becamevery good friends andspent lots of timetogether. Being fromvery differentcultures, however, Ididn’t want torecognize at first thatwe were meant foreach other. I camefrom Luxembourg

and he from Bangladesh but even though ourupbringing was quite different, we were,nevertheless, thinking similarly about importantmatters in life.

We had a fabulous life in Bangor until Mahfuzfinished his degree and then he went home toBangladesh for a year. It was a very tough timebecause we could only speak over the phone andthe connection was not always the best.

After a year, he returned to Bangor then in 2010we moved to Luxembourg where we married on3rd December. In May 2011, I went to Bangladeshfor the first time to meet his parents. Wecelebrated with his family and friends, and I feltlike a princess from a story of A Thousand andOne Nights. In August, we had a Muslim and aCatholic wedding in Luxembourg and wecelebrated with my family and our friends. Wewere very lucky that some of our very good friendsfrom Bangor could make it to celebrate with us.”

Lyane Schmitz, English, 2007

“I met my husbandAlex whilst we wereboth studying atBangor. He wasdoing Bio-medand I studiedPsychology, butwe met performingSouth Pacificat SODA (theStudent Operaticand DramaticAssociation). It tookus a year to gettogether, but hefinally asked me out on St David’s Day in 2005.In September 2012 we got married at LancasterCathedral with a number of our old friends fromSODA in attendance.”

Hannah Morris (née Kearney), Psychology, 2005

“I started in theBiochemistrydepartment in 1975.Heather Quayle wasthe year below, butwe only met in 1979when I was doingPhD work and shewas in 3rd year. Wewere 'matchmade' bya friend, Anuka (nowsadly deceased).

We married in 1988 - best man was Dave (Jim)Roberts, also a Biochem alumnus, and at whosewedding I had the honour to reciprocate. Heatherand I moved, first to Leeds, then to Kendal. Ourdaughter Katie was born in 1990, now studyingmedicine at Sheffield, and Chris came along twoyears later. Chris is now studying Biology atBangor. Holly came along (a little unexpectedly!)7 years later.

I loved Bangor, and though I live in a beautiful partof the world now, I still miss that mix of mountain,sea and Welshness. I return often (I've a goodexcuse now Chris is there!)”

Allan Miller, Biochemistry, 1978

“At registrationin Septemberof 1956 afriend, SophiaMortimer, wasat the Gilbertand Sullivantable withgraduatestudent PeterArnott while Iwas at theCatholicSociety table.Sophia invitedme to joinsome G & S people for a break in the Union. Acopy of 'Punch' was being passed around the tableand Peter and I shared. I read faster than mostpeople but when I glanced up to see how long I'dhave to wait for him, I saw that he had alreadyfinished. We both thought "Finally! Someone Idon't have to wait for" and got engaged threeweeks later.

We were married in 1958 after we both got ourdegrees, emigrated to the U.S. and were happytogether until he died in 1990.”

Eva Arnott (née Schenkel), English / Philosophy, 1958

Lane

7Bango r University staff member andalumnus Keith Beasley (1979, ElectronicEngineering), maps out the history of oneof the University’s main buildings, from afemale-only hall of residence to a StudentServices hub.

“Walk along College Road from Love Lane to the MainUniversity Building and you’ll pass an impressive red brickbuilding. To students now,particularly those from acrossthe globe improving theirEnglish language skills, it isNeuadd Rathbone, home ofELCOS: the English LanguageCentre for Overseas Students.It is also currently home forthe IEC (InternationalEducation Centre) andStudent Services. But theseare all recent residents of oneof the oldest and most historic buildings that form BangorUniversity’s extensive Estates portfolio.

In 1895, according to the Conveyance of the sale (nowlodged in Bangor University Archive), land was boughtfrom Lord Penrhyn (of the Penrhyn Castle estate, nowowned by the National Trust) to “provide places ofresidence with suitable outbuildings for female studentsat the North Wales University College”. In 1897, UniversityHall opened as a Women’s Hostel for 48 students, withboarding fees for a private study bedroom set at £61per session, including use of its own tennis courts.

In 1902, during a visit of Their Royal Highnesses the Princeand Princess of Wales to Bangor and Caernarfon on theoccasion of the Installation of HRH as Chancellor of theUniversity of Wales, a bouquet was presented to HRH atUniversity Hall.

Through most of the Hall’s use as a residence, atleast until the 1990s, cooked meals were provided tostudents: a far cry from take-aways and special offersfrom Morrisons!

From the mid 1970s until the early 1990s, before becoming‘Rathbone’, University Hall was known as Neuadd JohnMorris-Jones, or 'JMJ', that is, the Welsh speakers' hall ofresidence. From a time when no English was spokenwithin those walls to the present day when English istaught here; how things change!”

Further early photographs of University Hallcan be found on the ELCOS Facebook page:www.facebook.com/BangorEnglishLanguageLearners

With thanks to the University Archives(www.bangor.ac.uk/archives)for photographs and background material.

The history of UNIVERSITY HALL

In 1897, UniversityHall opened as aWoman’s Hostel for48 students, withboarding fees for aprivate study bedroomset at £61 per session,including use of itsown tennis courts.

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In order to mark this anniversary theSchool will be holding a number ofevents in 2013/14 and has establisheda website which has a wealth ofinformation about the School’sdevelopment over the past 50 years.

To start the celebrations the School held aBirthday Ceilidh on the 4 July 2013 to coincidewith the conference dinner of the ExperimentalPsychology Society Conference, which the Schoolhad the privilege of hosting this year. The Ceilidhwas attended by current and former staff as wellas some student representatives from the currentstudent body and alumni. The School has alsomarked the anniversary with an ERP SummerSchool and 50th Anniversary PhD studentships.

The School has grown from a department withjust 43 students and a handful of staff in 1963 tobe one of the largest of the 130+ UK Psychologydepartments with over 1,300 students and 50

faculty. Along the way the School has had manyhighlights which include a visit by BF Skinnerin 1969 (see picture above), the development ofthe renowned Miles Dyslexia Centre and FoodDudes research group, the establishment of thefirst taught DClinPsy course in the UK, the firstBACB accredited ABA course in Europe and thearrival of a research dedicated fMRI scanner.Currently the School can claim to be not onlyamong the oldest and biggest UK Psychologydepartments but also among the very best. It isranked very highly by The Times league table,including being placed 2nd for the ‘StudentExperience’, has ranked in the top 5 for ‘Student Satisfaction’ in the National StudentSurvey over the past 3 years and 7th in the UK forresearch power based on the latest ResearchAssessment Exercise.

Currently the School’s major researchstrengths can be classified as covering thefollowing four main themes: Perception, Actionand Memory; Language, Bilingualism and

Cognitive Development; Social Neuroscience andClinical, Health and Behavioural Psychology. Prof.Charles Leek, the current Head of School, sumsthings up by saying, “I don’t think that it is just thatfact that the School is big, old and highly rankedthat makes it such a unique place. What reallystands out for staff and students alike is thefriendly atmosphere that goes along with ourteaching and research excellence.”

Over the next academic year,as the 50th cohort of Psychologyundergraduate students begintheir academic journey, the School isplanning a number of other eventsto mark the occasion including a

mini series of public lectures from current andformer staff which will be announced on theSchool website. The School encourages formerstaff or students to visit the 50th Anniversary site:www.bangor.ac.uk/psychology or the follow theTwitter feed: @PsychBangor

BIRTHDAY

School of Psychology

its 50th

This year Bangor University’s highly rated School ofPsychology celebrates its 50th anniversary making itamong the oldest and most established schools in the UK.

CELEBRATES

Prof. C.Fergus Lowe (left) and BF Skinner

A revolutionary ‘futureproof’technology, first proposed byBangor University, is the frontrunnerin satisfying future demand fordramatically increased Internetspeeds and capacity.

Professor Jianming Tang from Bangor University’sSchool of Electronic Engineering is a leadingscientist pursuing the new technology, whichwould use current optical Internet cabling toincrease broadband transmission by up to 2,000times the current speed and capacity (equivalentto downloading 20 feature-length films inone second).

Other uses for this capability include3D-TV, social websites and video sharing.

Bangor is leading the three-year project due to theUniversity’s unique technical know-howin this field. Partners working with BangorUniversity in the consortium include world-leadingtechnology companies and research institutessuch as Fujitsu Semiconductors Europe. Theproject is funded by the European Union and isvalued at over €3m.

Bangor leads theway in broadband

The University Council recentlygave the go-ahead for a majornew initiative – the developmentof a Science Park on which theUniversity will lead.

The Menai Science Park site will enable leading-edge academic research to link with commercialdevelopment for the benefit of the local andnational economy. North West Wales is well-placed to benefit from a combination of factors –the anticipated major investment in low-carbonenergy projects on Anglesey as well asEnterprise Zone designation, and of course anearby University and its partner organisations.

Initially, the Menai Science Park will be centredon the academic fields of clean technology,clean energy and systems but it will also providecollaborative opportunities for several UniversitySchools in other key sectors. The aim is tocombine academia, research and private sectorcompanies on the site, creating high valuejobs for young people in North Wales, an areaknown as one of the worst hit regions foryouth unemployment.

The Science Park will provide an openinnovation approach, where ideas can betested and challenged, and it will providesignificant opportunities for networking bygraduates and alumni.

The Science Park will be the latest addition tothe eco-friendly industry which already existsin North Wales, helping to make the regiona hub for environmentally-friendly energyscience in Europe. Bangor University hasrecently received awards for being the mostEco-friendly University in Wales and one ofthe most environmentally aware Universitiesin the UK and the Science Park again highlightsthe University’s commitment to environmentalscience research.

Former Anglesey Welsh Assembly MemberIeuan Wyn Jones has been appointed Directorof the Science Park and the development is dueto commence in 2014. The project is beingsupported by £10m of capital funding fromthe Welsh Government and £250k of revenuefunding in the first year, with an expectationof further revenue funding for the following three years.

Speaking about Menai Science Park,Bangor University’s Vice-Chancellor,Professor John G. Hughes, said:

“This is an outstanding opportunity, and theUniversity is delighted to play a full and activepart. Economic regeneration is vitally importantfor this area of Wales, and the University willdo everything possible to make this venture amajor success.”

MENAI

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Science Park

EVENTS www.bangor.ac.uk/alumni

NATIONAL EISTEDDFOD 2013Our alumni reunion at the National Eisteddfodof Wales, an annual event held on the BangorUniversity stand on the Wednesday afternoon ofthe festival every year, attracted over 150 formerstudents and staff in August 2013. 2014’s NationalEisteddfod will be held in Llanelli.

BANGOR 2020 GROUPThe Bangor 2020 Group, a London-basedalumni group for leading business alumni andfriends of the University, continues to grow andto welcome former students interested injoining the group to network with other alumniand hear about the latest developments atBangor. For further information on the Bangor2020 Group, please contactalumni@bangor.ac.uk or call 01248 388332.

PONTIO FOUNDATION STONEIn January, a musical ceremony was held as thefoundation stone of Pontio, the new Arts andInnovation Centre opening in Bangor in 2014, wasunveiled by former Education Minister (and Bangoralumnus) Leighton Andrews AM, Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas and Vice-Chancellor Prof. John G. Hughes.

Thank you to all alumni who'vecome along to meet members of theDevelopment and Alumni Relationsteam this year during visits to citiesincluding Dublin, Newcastle-upon-Tyneand Boston, MA, USA. We will be intouch when we plan to visit your areaand aim to meet as many alumni aswe can during our trips.

We want to hear from you about what typesof reunions and events you’re interested inattending. Please complete the questionnaire

enclosed with this Bangoriad to let us knowwhat type of events you’d like to attend sowe can tailor our activities to suit you.

If you would like to arrange your own reunion,the Development and Alumni Relations Office ishere to help. We can arrange visits to your olddepartments and offer advice on accommodationas well as trying to find any friends who you havelost touch with and invite them to your reunion.

For further information, please contact BethanPerkins at: b.w.perkins@bangor.ac.uk

ALUMNI CULTURALHERITAGE DAY35 alumni and guests returned to Bangorin August for a day to showcase BangorUniversity’s cultural affairs and collections.Alumni learned about the latest researchfrom several of the University’s Schools,enjoyed presentations on the University’shistory and Archives and had a tour of theUniversity’s Collections.

PONTIO 2014 APPEALThe Pontio 2014 Appeal was launched this summerwith a special concert held at the Universityfeaturing celebrated Welsh opera and concertsinger Rhys Meirion and Huw Ynyr, a recent Bangorgraduate who won the prestigious Bryn TerfelScholarship in 2012. For details on the Pontio 2014Appeal, see page 12.

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VIRGINIA INSTITUTEOF MARINE SCIENCETo celebrate the long-standing linksbetween Bangor’s School of Ocean Sciencesand the Virginia Institute of Marine Scienceat the College of William and Mary,Williamsburg, Virginia, USA, an alumni daywas held in September. Alumni joined Vice-Chancellor, Prof. John G. Hughes, for theday which included a field trip to the pristinebarrier islands, salt marshes and lagoonsalong Virginia’s outer coast, a tour of theVIMS facilities and a seafood meal. Thanksto our colleagues at VIMS for providing anexcellent welcome!

NORTH AMERICANFESTIVAL OF WALESBangor University was delighted to be partof the North American Festival of Wales inToronto, Canada in August where BethanPerkins, Alumni Development Officer, metseveral Bangor alumni and those withconnections to North Wales. The festival,organised by Dr. Megan Williams – a Bangoralumna herself – aims to promote all thingsWelsh and the programme included sessionsled by Prof. Jerry Hunter from Bangor’sSchool of Welsh.

ALUMNICAREERSNETWORKBeing able to draw on the expertise and knowledgeof our alumni is becoming increasingly important tocurrent Bangor students before they graduate andembark on their career paths, and the Developmentand Alumni Relations Office work closely with theCareers and Employability Service to arrangealumni-led presentations and workshops. Thankyou to those who have already helped uswith events. Subject-specific events and generalskills sessions are being planned so if you wouldlike to volunteer to be involved and to share yourexperiences with Bangor students, please contact:alumni@bangor.ac.uk

1960s & 1970s SPORTS REUNION

In September 2012, a reunion was held in Bangorfor alumni involved in sports teams during the 60sand 70s. Over 100 alumni attended a lecture byDr David Roberts, Bangor University's Registrar,and an evening event held in Bar Uno on theFfriddoedd Site. Photos from the event can beseen on our website:www.bangor.ac.uk/alumni/sportsgallery

A further reunion is hoped to be arranged for thegroup in 2014/15. If you would be interested inattending, please contact Foster Edwards on:boyersorchard35@btinternet.com

HONG KONGA reception hosted by Prof. John G. Hughes Vice-Chancellor was held in Hong Kong in October2012 for Bangor alumni and other University contacts. If you are interested in attending futurealumni events in the region, please contact: alumni@bangor.ac.uk

BANGOR OLD STUDENTS’ASSOCIATIONBangor’s Old Students’ Association has beenin existence since 1898 and all former studentsof the University, Coleg Normal and St. Mary’sCollege are welcome to join.

An Annual Meeting and Dinner is held everySeptember / October, with an informal dinnerheld in February and the group would bedelighted to welcome new members.

If you would like to join the Old Students’Association, or would like further information,please contact Ella Owens on:ella.owens@btinternet.com or telephone: 01248 712573.

Dates for your diaryAthens Alumni Reunion November 2013. Hotel Grande BretagneContact: alumni@bangor.ac.uk

Cologne Alumni Reunion 28 November 2013. Brauhauskeller, Cölner Hofbräu P. Josef FrühContact: alumni@bangor.ac.uk

Old Boys’ Weekend 2014Join us in Bangor for the 50th Anniversaryof the Old Boys’ weekend, 3-5th May 2014.

Nightline ReunionFebruary 2014. A reunion is being planned for those involvedin Nightline, the confidential listening andinformation service run by students forstudents, during their time in Bangor. For further information, please contact:nightline.coordinator@undeb.bangor.ac.uk

National Eisteddfod of Wales Llanelli 6th August 2014, Bangor University Stand

Coleg Normal 1954 - 56A reunion will be held in Autumn 2014 tocelebrate the 60th anniversary (or thereabouts!)of those who attended Coleg Normal 1954 – 56. For further information, please contact EllaOwens on: ella.owens@btinternet.com or: 01248 712573

UGANDA CHAPTERA Ugandan chapter of Bangor alumni wasformed in 2013 to undertake alumni andstudent recruitment activities in the region. Ifyou are interested in joining the group, pleasecontact Prof. Joseph Obua, Co-ordinator ofthe Bangor University Alumni UgandaChapter on: j.obua@vicres.net

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BANGOR UNIVERSITYMOUNTAINEERINGCLUB 1957 - 1962Former members of the University’sMountaineering Club met last year to celebratetheir 50th anniversary and enjoyed being backin Bangor and catching up with each other.

Back: Ben Lyon, Annis Milner, Rosemary Tunstall,Doug Daniels. Front: Mike Petrovsky, Ron Ferguson,Alan Orme, Dewi Hudson Jones.

12Pontio Arts & Innovation programme comes to lifeA year before the opening ofBangor's landmark Pontio Artsand Innovation Centre, the city ofBangor and surrounding areasare coming alive with fantasticproductions and outreachactivities. Pontio’s mission isto create an artistic programmeof the highest quality, which isinnovative, ambitious andrelevant to our communities.

In July, No Fit State Circus brought their"Bianco" production to Bangor. Hundredsof people delighted in this contemporarycircus experience featuring acrobaticand aerial performance, which tookplace all around the audience in the bigtop on Beach Road. Other UK venues forBianco included the famous Roundhousein London.

Programming the best of international,Welsh and locally-grown talent, thePontio autumn season has a fantastic lineup. Featured performances includeworld-famous harpist Catrin Finch andWest African kora player Seckou Kaita inconcert on 15 November 2013 in BangorUniversity's Prichard-Jones Hall. Furtherinformation can be found on the websiteat: www.pontio.co.uk

Pontio's arts and innovation programmingwould not be possible without the supportof generous donors. Last year, theGarfield Weston Foundation made a giftof £300,000 to support Pontio's StudioTheatre, which will be a focal point forsmaller productions and communityactivities, complementing Pontio'sflagship main auditorium. Kristen L.Gallagher, Head of Development andAlumni Relations, commented: "Inmaking this major grant, one of its largestoutside of a major metropolitan centre,the Trustees of the Garfield Weston

Foundation cited their wish to dosomething for the wider communityin Bangor University's region. I amdelighted that the Foundation recognisesthe unique value in supporting Pontio'sexciting, bilingual arts programme andinvolvement for all."

Other donors are supporting not onlyPontio's arts activities, but also unique-to-Bangor initiatives bringing togetherthe arts, design innovation and sciences.The "NEET2Work" programme, devisedby Bangor University and receivingmajor funding from the Esmée FairbairnFoundation, will bring together membersof the community not in employment,education or training with membersof the University's academic staff,from areas including Psychology andBusiness, and local community leadersto design solutions to problems in theircommunities, which could includeproducts or new methods for tacklingsocial issues. Through NEET2Work,Bangor will share the fruits of itsacademic and practical experience withmembers of the community needing todevelop important employability skills.

Community involvement in Pontio wasalso celebrated at the recent launchof the Pontio 2014 Appeal in June,organised by the Development andAlumni Relations Office with Pontio'sartistic director, Elen ap Robert. Thisdelightful concert featured Welsh tenorRhys Meirion, renowned on the opera andconcert scene, and up-and-comingtenor, Bangor graduate and Bryn TerfelScholarship recipient, Huw Ynyr. To learnmore about how you can support thePontio 2014 Appeal, visit the website at:www.bangor.ac.uk/giving or contact theDevelopment and Alumni Relations Officeon 01248 382020. Be a part of Pontio!

CULTURE ANDHERITAGE FUND Bangor University is a place thatvalues its Welsh heritage andculture. We have much to be proudof from the grade 1* Main Universitybuilding to our special collectionsand archives.

For 129 years, Bangor University has acquiredcultural artefacts from Wales and aroundthe world, through purchase, donations andbequests by alumni, and as tributes to friendsand relatives. The University now has animportant collection of cultural assets,representing a wide range of media, including

paintings, sculpture, ceramics, murals, naturalhistory, musical instruments, rare books,manuscripts and furniture. We are launching afundraising appeal to celebrate and safeguardthese treasures which are truly unique toBangor University. You can help us continueto be important custodians of Welsh language,literature and art. By contributing to thisspecial appeal, you will help maintain ourbuilt environment, and conserve our valuablearchives and collections. This fund will supportthe safeguarding and celebration of our specialcollections and the renovation of the grade 1*listed Main University building. For moreinformation please contact Emma Marshall on:e.marshall@bangor.ac.uk or 01248 382594.To make a donation online please go to:www.bangor.ac.uk/giving

LEGACY PROGRAMMESince its inception in 1884 legacies andbequests have helped shape the futureof Bangor University. In today’s austereeconomic climate the need to invest inhigher education is greater than ever andremembering the University in your Will canhave a lasting effect on tomorrow’s students.Areas benefiting from legacies includegeneral purposes, scholarships, researchand renovation and restoration of the Grade1 listed Main University building. To learnmore about our legacy programme andthe 1884 Circle, please contact theDevelopment and Alumni Relations office on: 01248 382020;email: development@bangor.ac.uk or visitour website.

BANGOR FUNDThis year we have carried out ourmost successful telethon campaignsto date, with a team of 35 currentstudents raising over £95,000towards the Bangor Fund.

Applications from various Departments, Schoolsand Colleges were received by The BenefactionsGroup, for allocations of awards from theGreatest Need, Student Support, Welsh MediumProvision and Campus Improvement Funds.

Awards were made towards:

• Sports provision. The Bangor Fund providedfunding for a drainage machine for Treborthplaying fields. No more cancelling of fixturesdue to water-logging!

• School of Music. A new Yamaha grand piano,for student practise, was purchased and funds were provided for the reconditioning ofthe Bosendorfer Imperial piano in Prichard-Jones Hall.

• The Counselling Service. The Bangor Fundhas purchased an online programme designedto assist students and staff suffering fromcommon mental health conditions.

• A travel bursary for a PhD student fromthe School of History, Welsh History andArchaeology.

• Financial support for a student-led project,HackSpace, in the School of ElectronicEngineering.

• Employability. Students from the School ofBiological Sciences were provided with paidwork experience by giving sciencedemonstrations to the public.

• Library and Archive Service. An award wasgiven to relocate and refurbish the R.S. Thomas Research Centre within the ShanklandReading Room (below).

Thank you to all of our generous donors.

STUDENT PROFILE:DANIAL HEMMINGS DR. PAUL FEENEYSCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT“I am a second year PhD studentat Bangor Business School. Mythesis focuses on potential marketconditioning by firms prior to issuesof new equity.

It considers whether corporate communications, for example discussions inannual reports, press releases and company websites, are used to solicit excessiveinterest from investors so that capital is raised on more favourable terms. Thesubtleties of the communications between firms and the markets, in some waysadvancing the social construction of ‘value’, is a topic that I find deeply interesting.

The decision to pursue an academic career is one that would not have arisenwithout contact with the inspirational faculty while studying for a BSc and then anMSc in Accounting and Finance at Bangor. The decision to study towards a PhD atBangor was the obvious choice given the support and enthusiasm from academicstaff and the academic excellence of Bangor Business School. Critical to myability to further my studies is my receiving the Dr. Paul Feeney Scholarship. I findit extremely humbling that alumnus Paul Feeney, having enjoyed an astonishinglysuccessful career following his time at Bangor, is keen to support local students.Having been brought up on the Isle of Anglesey, I share his love of the area, aswell as the Bangor community, both inside and outside of the University.

A generous donation by a Bangor alumnus provides a great deal more than justfinancial support. It means a great deal to me to receive a scholarship from abenefactor who enjoyed a similarly positive experience at Bangor University andwho shares an appreciation of the quality of a Bangor University education. It isunquestionable that without the generous financial support of Bangor alumni thatI, and many other students, would not be able to continue to study at thepostgraduate level. I echo the gratitude of countless recipients of Bangor alumnischolarships who enjoy the financial and moral support afforded them.”

DR. EILIR HEDDMORGAN FUNDDr. Eilir Hedd Morgan,alumnus and memberof staff at BangorUniversity’s Schoolof Ocean Sciences, wastragically killed in anaccident in April 2013at the young age of 29.

Eilir originally came to Bangorin 2002 to read Marine Biology,staying on to gain a distinctionin his MSc in ShellfisheriesBiology and Management in2007 and completing a PhD

in November 2012. He was subsequently appointed to a 5-yearposition as the first Welsh medium lecturer in Marine Ecology.He was dedicated to the Welsh language and was a fantasticambassador for the University and for Wales.

In his memory, Bangor University has established the ‘Dr Eilir HeddMorgan Bangor University Scholarship Fund’. Money donated tothe fund will support an annual 5-week summer placement for aWelsh-medium second year undergraduate Marine Biology studentto undertake research work and the establishing of a prize for thebest first year PhD talk at the annual College of Natural SciencesPostgraduate Research Student Conference.

If you would like to contribute to the fund, please download ourgiving form here: www.bangor.ac.uk/giving/eilir_fundand send your completed form and contribution to: Paula Fleck,Development and Alumni Relations Office, Bangor University,Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2DG.

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“At secondary school there was very littleadvice offered about University choices so I mostly went on what I read in the UCCAhandbook. Bangor University had animpressive array of natural science courseswhich is what I wanted to do. Initially I wentfor Marine Zoology but changed to Appliedbecause of my interest in insects. After whatseemed like years studying Maths orChemistry or Physics for Biology it was adelight to just specialise in animals. Dr Cherret, Dr Runham and Prof. Dodds were great enthusiasts and made the lectures fascinating.

After I graduated with a BSc degree in AppliedZoology, I joined a medical newspaper calledDoctor as a science journalist. Three yearslater I had a brief spell as a copywriter in anadvertising firm before joining the BBC. Imoved through various documentarydepartments, including: Radio 4 Science Unit,Natural History Radio and TV, Tomorrow’sWorld, and Horizon. I always used mybackground in science and experience injournalism as my calling card. In 1999, I madea series for BBC One called Walking withDinosaurs, which was very successful. Acouple of years later I set up an independentTV production company specialising in highend factual called Impossible Pictures. Overthe years Impossible branched out into dramaand I co-created a series called Primeval forITV. At this time I won several Emmys and aBAFTA. I was also awarded an HonoraryFellowship by Bangor, which was a proudmoment for me.

I loved my time at Bangor, not just the course,but the scenery. There was a great contrast inBangor’s setting from my home which was inSussex. However I found it liberating to step offthe train in North Wales; I was ready todiscover a new part of the country. I was trulydelighted to find an academic jewel buried inSnowdonia. Throughout my time at Bangor thesurrounding area was a big part of its appeal,ideal for field trips and socialising. In mysecond year I bought a car, which allowed meto discover more of North Wales’ beautifulcountryside. I would recommend BangorUniversity to anyone, especially thoseinterested in studying for a BSc degree there.

“I’m delighted that my career in the Police has led me back to Bangor University as itsdedicated Police Officer. I have a special affinity for it having studied here as a studentfrom 1992-1995 doing an English degree. I’mhoping that my University experiences will helpme to understand the issues that concernstudents; conversely as a police officer I canfocus their attention on matters that they maynot be aware of. I feel quite protective! Bangor is a very safe place to live however there arealways things that students can do that willreduce any risks further.

I chose to study in Bangor as the course lookedgreat, the University friendly, Bangor wasn’t toobig and was nicely accessible to lots of climbing!Following graduation I even worked briefly for theUniversity’s Career Unit before disappearingtravelling. Following a couple of years away fromthe area I finally returned to Bangor when I joinedNorth Wales Police in 2001. I spent two years as adivisional officer on Anglesey before specialisingand joining the armed response unit for ten years,attending at firearms incidents all over the forcearea. Luckily I also met my husband whilst on thisunit and we now live in the Bangor area.

In this role I’ll be able to encourage more students tocome to the police with any problems they may beconcerned about as well as proactively educatingthem to further reduce their chance of being a victimof crime. I’m particularly keen to gain the trust ofinternational students who are in such a uniquesituation studying so far from home and familysupport. They need reassurance that our police areconfidential, professional and approachable.

Please follow us on Twitter(NWPBangorUniPolice) and Facebook (Bangor Bobbies)”

PROFILESAlumni

Alumna Antonia Lloyd(English, 1995) has recentlyreturned to the University,working as a police officerdedicated to helping ourstudents. Here she tells ushow proud she is to be oneof ‘Bangor’s Bobbies’.

“I’m proud to say that I donate to TheBangor Fund, as I think the support this fund gives tostudents and the whole Bangorexperience is reallyworthwhile.”

After graduating in 1981,Bangor alumnus TimHaines joined the BBCand went on to produceprogrammes such as the acclaimed Walkingwith Dinosaurs. Here,Tim tells us how his time at Bangor has had a lasting effect.

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A ROARING

I have spent my life trying to communicate science to as wide an audience as possible and have witnessed science and technologygradually become an integral part of people’slives. Yet their ability to judge and weighscientific debate has, if anything got worse.That’s why I encourage those who areinterested to study at university and helpimprove the level of debate for the nextgeneration. Also you never know when thefact that you know about Paget’s disease,rhizotrons or ionospheric manipulation mightbe extremely useful in getting you a job.”

SUCCESS

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