Feature: Focus on, St Mary’s Graduate Melissa Dunbar

As students from St Mary’s University College, Twickenham set to graduate this week, we take a look at some student stories from their time at St Mary’s. 21 year old Melissa Dunbar has graduated in Physical and Sport Education. Over the last three years she has been involved in numerous projects with the Students’ Union, volunteering her time to develop and enrich student life on campus. Mel took on the role of vice-president for fundraising and was part of the Students’ Union executive committee and has been part of organising a number of sporting and general student events such as the annual SIMMStock music festival and varsity against Brunel University. She has also been part of the many development programmes including the newly launched HALLStars competition and Student Sport Alliance. Melissa said, “I chose to come to St Mary’s because I really wanted to be in London for the Olympic Games and when I visited campus I just felt at home right away. The variety of modules on the course were fantastic and it completely suited me. “I’m usually the one playing sport, but I’m also very interested in the other side of sport such as the events and photography, so I decided to get involved with the Students’ Union. Being part of the SU team has given me so many opportunities to help organise events such as the annual sports varsity against Brunel and the SIMMStock music festival. Of course, it’s also great to work with such an amazing group of people! “Now that I’ve graduated, I’m looking to go into sports fashion, but I’m hoping to carry on living in the area as I love being close to the busy centre of London, but also being in a gorgeous leafy suburb.” Melissa’s support of the activities organised by the Students’ Union was so valuable that she won the award for outstanding contribution to sport and activities at the annual Sports and Societies award ceremony. St Mary’s AU President Luke Allen commented, “Mel is a great role model for students and staff alike and her impact on St Mary’s really does speak volumes. “She has continually demonstrated her passion for supporting others through her active involvement with the Students’ Union events, campaigns and initiatives. She was instrumental in the organisation of the West London Varsity and the new HALLStars competition, and has really supported myself and SU President Charlie Benson in her role as Vice-President Student Fundraising. She’s been a pleasure to work with and I wish her every success in the future.”