Worthy winners: Sanjana Chopra and Jamie Cole

Exeter alumni celebrate winning volunteer awards

Two Exeter alumni have won volunteer awards for their efforts supporting students and alumni.

Sanjana Chopra, a 2014 graduate in Management with Marketing, has won the Debbie Hill Award for the Exceptional Support of Students, while Jamie Cole, who graduated in 1987 with a degree in Maths, was awarded the Nicholas Bull Award for the Exceptional Support of the Alumni Community.

The pair were nominated by staff, students and fellow alumni for their involvement in an array of projects both in the UK and internationally.

Sanjana received her award for volunteering her time with the Career Ready Programme, helping the Indian Exeter Alumni Association committee, supporting employability events and pre-departure events, as well as participating in the Business School’s EQUIS reaccreditation.

Jamie was recognised for volunteering his time to supervise MBA projects, providing guest lectures on modules, helping steer Exeter’s relationship with IBM and his role as chair of the MBA Corporate Advisory Board as well as supporting IIB in the development of new data opportunities.

Sanjana thanked the University and alumni engagement team, saying:  “This award means a lot to me and I'm grateful for this recognition by my fellow alumni, the alumni engagement team as well as the University. Not many universities place the same value on their alumni's personal commitment as the University of Exeter does and I feel privileged to continue to work for a university that values and encourages its alumni whilst also appreciating their time."

Jamie described himself as “delighted and humbled” to receive the Nicholas Bull Volunteer award, and said it’s a source of “immense pleasure to give something back to an organisation that gave me so much as a young undergraduate”.

David Watson, Head of Alumni and Supporter Engagement, spoke in glowing terms of both volunteers, saying of Sanjana that she had ”supported a wide range of activity in India over many years and is an excellent example of the breadth of support our volunteers provide to Exeter”.

He described the support Jamie has given with corporate partnerships as “amazing”, adding that Jamie had “gone above and beyond in his support of the Business School, alumni and students, and the impact of his time has truly enhanced their learning experiences.”

Date: 15 June 2022