Why I’m Leaving a Gift to Nottingham

Originally from Surrey, Jan wanted to study chemistry but decided to move somewhere a little further from home. She chose Nottingham after hearing that it had an excellent Faculty of Science.

“My memories of Nottingham are hard work, long hours and, of course, no internet or computers,” explained Jan. “I stayed in Nightingale Hall and all our meals were included, so a lot of my time was spent cycling between lectures and Hall to make sure I didn’t miss meals!

“I had a full timetable, with lectures in the morning and labs in the afternoon. I used to get a little jealous of some friends who were studying arts courses because they were encouraged to go to the theatre or watch the latest film, as part of their wider education - while I was back in the labs shaking test tubes.”

Recalling her time on the Chemistry course, Jan acknowledged how much it has changed now. “There weren’t many female students studying chemistry when I was here. Out of the 100 students there were only about six females. However, I was very proud to be the first female President of the Chemistry Society.”

At the end of her studies in Nottingham, Jan received a Fulbright Scholarship, which enabled her to study for a Masters in Biochemistry in Bloomington, Indiana, USA. She also spent time teaching there and every morning had to walk across the ‘huge campus’ to give a lecture to around 500 students. Her time in America coincided with the assassination of President John F. Kennedy and she recalled that, even after hearing the news, she still attended her tutoring session that evening, just in case the students turned up too. They didn’t!

Jan added: “Receiving a Fulbright Scholarship definitely made me appreciate how important a scholarship can be because it gave me the opportunity to travel, which wouldn’t have been possible without the additional money. I’m still in touch with someone I consider to be one of my best friends and we’ve travelled to meet each other several times since.”

Following her studies in the USA, Jan got married and spent six years as a junior lecturer in Cape Town before moving back to England where she gained her PhD in the Cancer Research Department at the University of Nottingham. This was particularly challenging as she had to balance her studies with caring for her three young children. Jan finished her career as an NHS manager at Queen’s Medical Centre, where she worked until 2007.

“Since retiring, I’ve donated to scholarships because it can make the difference between someone studying at university or not being able to afford it,” said Jan. “Having a scholarship can make sure they don’t need to work extra hours in a part-time job, so they can concentrate on their studies, participate in sport, or do something like volunteering to give them a broader base of education.

“It can also give them the time to join a society at the university too. I was a member of the university swimming team but, of course, there was no sports centre then. We had to go on a bus, and I remember in the winter months travelling through the cold and dark to get to a small pool in central Nottingham. I couldn’t believe it when I had a tour around the David Ross Sports Village and saw the facilities available now. I think it’s important for students to be able to take advantage of things like that, without worrying about money all the time.”

Jan has always had a desire to help others. She was the National Chairman of the Ladies Lions Club International and was instrumental in raising funds for numerous good causes. Following exciting adventures in the Arctic and Antarctic she gives illustrated natural history talks to local groups about polar bears and penguins. She was fortunate to meet Sir Edmund Hillary during her trip to the Antarctic and discussed a charity funded expedition to take medical supplies to remote rural Nepal.

Jan still has firm links to the university and, along with her large rescue gun dog called Murray, they join the university’s Dog Soc to walk with students regularly during term time. In recent years she also donates a regular amount to help support students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

“It just seems right that if I have the financial flexibility – and after benefiting from a scholarship myself – that I can support future generations at Nottingham,” she told us.

“I’ve recently changed my will to include the University of Nottingham. Although my gift may not be the biggest, I’m pleased it will go into a pot with others and that will be used to broaden the horizons of students.

“For me it’s not about the amount, it’s about the community spirit of alumni coming together and contributing whatever they can to help those individuals who will benefit the most.”