In memory of a highly talented University of Nottingham alumnus who died from testicular cancer, aged 23 IBM is providing a prize for the top-performing first year student in the School of Computer Science.
Josh Carrick was diagnosed in September 2010 shortly after graduating from the University with a degree in Computer Science. He had already landed his dream job as a technology consultant for IBM but died a year later on 3rd October 2011, just a week after learning that his cancer was incurable.
So that Josh’s memory may continue to inspire IBM has provided a £100 prize for the top-performing first year student in the School of Computer Science plus a visit to its UK innovation labs for the top five Nottingham students. The prize will be given for the next five years.
Mum and dad Steve and Arlene Carrick, along with twin brother Dominic, have set up The Josh Carrick Foundation, a registered charity which has already raised nearly £50,000 which will help fund a project with Cancer Research UK as well funding a project at Mount Vernon Hospital in Hertfordshire where Josh was treated during his illness. Nine of the charity’s trustees are University of Nottingham alumni and those friends and others have helped raise £2,000 with a quiz before Christmas and a further £4,000 by taking part in Movember, two London to Brighton Bike Rides raising over £12,000 and one of Josh’s friends father did a trek to Everest base camp raising £10,000. Many more events are planned for 2013.
IBM’s Business Analytics and Optimisation Recruitment Leader for Europe Michael Conway said: “Josh was a very good friend of mine and we started at IBM on the same day. In the short time he was with IBM he showed how charismatic, talented and full of leadership qualities he was, and how he was destined for great things. From a personal point of view, I miss him a lot and often think about what we would be working on together, I’m sure, whatever it was, it would have been fun! IBM wanted to provide a prize in Josh’s name so that we could ensure his impact inspired the next generation of graduates and celebrate the relationship IBM has with Nottingham’s alumni.”
Dad Steve Carrick said: “Josh was a brilliant young man who approached everything he did with a positive attitude and strived to achieve the best he possibly could. He proved this by graduating from Nottingham University with a 2:1 in Computer Science in 2010 and securing his dream job at IBM as a Technology Consultant. We know he was destined for a great future.
“Josh was a caring and considerate person and was actively involved with charity work while at university. He loved his family and tried to shield those close to him from the mental and physical pain he was going through. Josh was a truly wonderful and popular person who left a lasting impression on all who met him. His smile said it all. He had a great joy and passion for life. He showed this through his love of music and partying – as many of his school and university friends will testify.
“His death has left a huge hole in our lives that can never be filled. It has been an honour and a privilege to have been his parents for 23 years.”
Josh’s University tutor Henrik Nillson in the School of Computer Science, added: “As his personal tutor, it was with great sadness I learned that Josh Carrick had passed away much, much, too early. A young life ended is always a tragedy, no matter who or what circumstances. But the bigger impression someone makes while they are among us, the bigger the void they leave behind when they go. And by all accounts, Josh impressed.”
His dissertation supervisor, Dr Andrew Crabtree, remembers Josh as one the brightest students he has had the pleasure to supervise: “Enthusiastic, keen, willing and able, Josh combined a great work ethic with a fantastic sense of humour and easy charm that made him very enjoyable to work with. He was a very talented individual, sensitive to the human as well as the technical aspects of computing.” It thus came as no surprise to Andrew when IBM asked for a reference for Josh. Andrew urged IBM to hire Josh immediately.
“His peers held him in equally high regard. In the context of our year-long, software engineering group project, he was lauded by his fellow team members as a 'natural leader' and 'efficient organiser', and credited with having worked 'hard to keep everyone involved' and creating an 'environment where we all co-operated with each other amicably'.
Had circumstances been different, there is no doubt Josh would have continued to impress. We are thus very grateful that IBM has decided to support a prize in memory of him. While Josh is no longer here to inspire the people around him, I am convinced that, though this prize, promising graduates, like Josh himself, will continue to be inspired by him.”
For more about The Josh Carrick Foundation please visit a temporary web page: http://www.thejoshcarrickfoundation.org/
To donate in Josh’s memory visit: http://www.justgiving.com/thejoshcarrickfoundation
Or just ‘like’ the Facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Josh-Carrick-Foundation/395589090477326
Posted on Monday 25th March 2013