A decade of educational excellence: the legacy of the David Wilson Foundation's endowment to BCS’ Dorset Branch
In a touching tribute to the late David Wilson’s legacy as a Treasurer for BCS’ Dorset Branch, the David Wilson Foundation has recently bestowed a £3,000 endowment on the Dorset Branch. To honour both the work of David Wilson and the continued work of the foundation, the branch decided that they wanted to repay local education establishments through a decade-long series of awards celebrating academic excellence in IT and technology.
The branch, which covers Poole, Bournemouth and the surrounding areas, carefully selected five local institutions to be the champions of the awards – the 3 further education colleges: Bournemouth and Poole College, Weymouth College, Kingston Maurward College in Dorchester, and the 2 universities: Bournemouth Arts University and Bournemouth University, a nod to David Wilson’s tenure there as a teaching fellow.
The endowment has culminated in the creation of five impressive permanent shields – one for each educational institution, which allow for the engraving of the 11 mini shields which sit upon on the large wooden shield. This not only emphasizes the current achievement but sets the stage for a decade-long legacy of academic recognition. Complementing these shields are 11 meticulously designed medals, embodying the dedication and brilliance exhibited by both students and faculty. These awards should be seen as more than mere symbols; they represent a commitment to recognizing and celebrating the pursuit of knowledge within the field of IT and technology.
The decision to partially engrave ten of the boxed medals, leaving space for the winner's name and year for the next decade, reflects a forward-thinking approach from the branch to cement a long-lasting legacy within the Dorset region. The responsibility of sustaining the legacy of these prestigious awards has been shared with the educational institutions, a testament to the collaborative spirit of the initiative.
During the Autumn term of 2023, Margaret Ross (Inter-branch Liaison and Secretary) of the Dorset branch of BCS ceremoniously presented the five wooden shields, each adorned with 11 boxed medals, to their respective institutions. This marked the initiation of a tradition that will stand as a testament to the Foundation's commitment to education and excellence in Dorset. Beyond the tangible recognition of academic achievement, these awards also aim to cultivate a stronger bond between Dorset branch and local educational institutions, fortifying the ties between academia, industry and philanthropy.
You can find out more about the Dorset Branch, their upcoming events, and how to get involved on the BCS website.