Outstanding graduates recognised at annual awards ceremony

The University of Wolverhampton held its third Alumni Awards ceremony recognising the incredible achievements, careers and impact of the University's graduates and dedicated volunteers.    

More than 100 nominations were made across ten award categories with 32 finalists who are making a difference locally, nationally and internationally.  

Attendees from as far as the USA, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Singapore, Zimbabwe, Spain and Nigeria attended the ceremony.  

Five outstanding individuals were also inducted into the University of Wolverhampton’s Alumni Hall of Fame.  

The ceremony was held at The Chancellor’s Hall at City Campus on 7 November and was streamed live around the world on YouTube.   

Award categories included: the Apprenticeship Award, Alumni Honour Award for Lifetime Achievement, Leadership Award, Young Alumni of the Year Award, Professional Excellence Award, Humanitarian of the Year Award, Wulfrunian of the Year Award, Entrepreneurial Award, International Alumni Volunteer of the Year Award and the UK Alumni Volunteer of the Year Award.  

Among the winners was Sabrina Ffrench who picked up the Young Alumni of the Year Award. Sabrina, a nursing graduate from the University, was recognised for going above and beyond in volunteering at her workplace on top of her working shifts to support patients and the next generation of student nurses.  

Sabrina said: “I didn’t expect to receive the award at all. The University of Wolverhampton has done so much for me and they helped me throughout my Adult Nursing course. From a young 17-year-old with no nursing experience to where I am now, I’d like to thank the University, adult and children nurses and learning disability nurses as well as my family for helping me get to where I am now.”  

Another winner on the night was Dr Clare Dickens, Student Life and Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead at the University of Wolverhampton, who won the Wulfrunian of the Year Award. Clare has gained national and international recognition for her work in suicide prevention and higher education student and staff mental health wellbeing.  

For her pioneering and impactful work, Clare was awarded an MBE in 2023 for services to Education and Improving Suicide Awareness by King Charles III.  

On her award win, Clare said: “Last month marked 24 years since I first walked through the doors at the University of Wolverhampton. I was petrified at the time, but Wolverhampton is now home and I love this city.  

“I want my legacy to be that I put in a good shift. I remember my father saying to me that education has to matter, it has to contribute to something, and it has to make a difference. I still haven’t forgot those words.  

“Thank you to all my family, friends and colleagues for your support and Wolverhampton is the best.”  

One inductee of this year’s Hall of Fame was former British and Olympic gymnast Kristian Thomas. Wolverhampton born and bred, Kristian is now Player Care and Engagement Manager at the Premier League.  

Kristian was part of the British team that won gold at the 2012 European Championships and bronze at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.  In 2015, he won his first major international title, gold in the floor exercise at the 2015 European Artistic Gymnastics Championships. 

Kristian said: “It was great to hear so many inspiring stories from graduates from the University and the impact they’re making. I joined the University of Wolverhampton in 2016 and making the transition from a full-time athlete to becoming a full-time student wasn’t easy.  

“I’d like to thank the University for their support and guidance and creating opportunities for me that I didn’t know existed. The University helped me identify transferrable skills from being an athlete into the role I’m currently at, at the Premier League.”  

List of winners and Alumni Hall of Fame inductees 

 David Wedge, Deputy Head of Alumni Relations at the University, said: “Congratulations to all our finalists and winners. These awards are a very special occasion in the University's calendar and it was a pleasure to welcome some of our most inspiring and celebrated graduates from across the globe.    

“Our alumni provide inspiration for our current students, for staff who taught them and for applicants who are looking to study at the University.  It’s truly amazing to see how far some of our graduates have travelled and we wanted to officially recognise this and to celebrate their individual achievements.”  

Graduates are encouraged to keep in touch with the Alumni team  and take advantage of a range of benefits and support on offer to them including a discount for Postgraduate study and opportunities to benefit from volunteering and career advice.