News and events

Chair of Faculty's annual report for 2010-11

The Chair's annual report is now available.

Young Person of the Year, Jonathan Gilmour

Jonathan Gilmour, 23, from Hampshire, has forged an outstanding academic career and is a shining example of what can be achieved with a great deal of dedication and determination.

Diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy at the age of seven, Jonathan has never allowed his increasing physical difficulties to stand in his way. Achieving a stunning nine A/A* grades in his GCSEs as well as three grade As in his A-levels, he was also the only student at his sixth form college to be entered for the academically challenging Advanced Extension Award in Religious Studies, being awarded a very rare Distinction.

What makes this achievement even more remarkable is that Jonathan underwent spinal fusion surgery mid way through his studies. Such is his dedication to his studies, Jonathan managed to persuade his orthopaedic surgeon to schedule his spinal surgery in the summer holidays so that he only missed two weeks from school despite spending 10 days in intensive care after post-operative complications.

After leaving school, Jonathan was accepted at the University of Cambridge, St John’s College, to study for a degree in Theology and Religious Studies. As before, Jonathan triumphed, achieving a First Class honours degree in 2008. Since then he has completed his Master of Philosophy degree in one year and is currently on the first year of a PhD in Jewish philosophy. As well as these remarkable achievements Jonathan was awarded the highly coveted Theological Studies Prize for the University of Cambridge on two separate occasions and was also awarded the Nowell Rostron Scholarship in 2008. Jonathan’s current aim is to complete his PhD in the next few years, travel to Israel and America and to become a university lecturer.

Source: http://www.muscular-dystrophy.org/news/2760_2010_presidents_awards_leading_by_example

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