University News Last updated 19 July 2012
Two talented visual communication students from the Birmingham Institute of Art and Design have received a boost to their finances after being awarded a scholarship by Birmingham born advertising guru Trevor Beattie.
Second year students Alessandra Scala and Charlotte Brown were each awarded a £1,750 bursary to contribute to their third year tuition fees and in addition have been offered a paid internship at Trevor’s agency – Beattie McGuinness.
The bursary was open to all second year visual communication students who were invited to submit three pieces of work. From the twenty students who entered, six were shortlisted and invited down to London to Trevor’s agency to present their work before the final decision was made.
Alessandra and Charlotte were announced as this year’s winners at the End of Year Awards night which took place at Birmingham’s Glee Club last month. The bursary is supported by the Jack and Ada Beattie Foundation, set up by Trevor in honour of his parents and aims to provide grants to both organisations and individuals. It is the first bursary of its kind given by the University and has been named in honour of John Lowe, Trevor’s former tutor.
Trevor said, “They say you never forget a good teacher, and I’ve never forgotten mine. John Lowe was my inspirational lecturer at Wolves Polytechnic and he remains my inspirational coach to this day.
“Things were financially easier way back when I were a penniless student. How kids will get through in the future has become a matter of national concern. We can’t guarantee success. But by funding a student bursary for undergraduate studies in advertising and media at Birmingham City University under the guidance of John Lowe, one underprivileged student will have a better chance than most.”
Head of department for Visual Communications, Paul Slocombe said: ''We are extremely grateful to Trevor for his continuing support for our students, and for the creation of this inspiring scholarship.''