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First class degree graduate awarded Armed Forces trophy

29/09/2016

Private Lewis White has become the first graduate of the University of Wolverhampton’s  Armed Forces degree to receive the Lieutenant General ‘Bashall Trophy’ for academic excellence and best degree dissertation 2016.

The University of Wolverhampton Armed Forces degree is the only course of its type in the UK, providing a unique combination of academic knowledge and practical skills associated with military service.

At a reception held at Ministry of Defence Headquarters Home Command in Aldershot,  Lewis was presented with the award by Lieutenant General Bashall CBE in front of an audience which included his mother, Pauline White a former Royal Navy employee, senior army officers including representatives from 4th MERCIAN reserve platoon and other serving personnel.

In his address Lieutenant General Bashall said: “Lewis has applied his academic skills to achieve a first class degree in Armed Forces studies and submitted a dissertation of the highest academic standard.

“This award is an excellent example of how the MoD can work successfully with universities to develop higher education opportunities that combine military knowledge with academia and I commend the University of Wolverhampton for introducing this award.”

Delivered by a mix of academic specialists and military personnel and in partnership with the University of Wolverhampton’s Reserve Platoon of 4th MERCIAN, the Armed Forces degree covers a range of modules including British military history, emergency planning, command and leadership and critical health care.

Lewis, a 4th MERCIAN Reservist said: “I am pleased to have been given this award for my final dissertation which I had to compete for against other students in my cohort.

“The course has opened up so many opportunities for me and from my experience with 4th MERCIAN I am now looking into a regular career in the Army. I am about to deploy to Cyprus so will take some time to really think about my options whilst overseas.”

David Thompson, Armed Forces Coordinator at the University of Wolverhampton, said: “A significant number of students who complete the Armed Forces degree course go on to commission as officers and this is testimony to the quality of the course and our understanding of the Armed Forces.

“Lewis has embraced his studies and now has a great future with the Army should he pursue a military career, but he has also developed lifelong skills that will see him succeed in whatever career he chooses. We thank Lieutenant General Bashall for putting his name to our trophy and we hope to see many more students go on to achieve this award in his honour.”

The University of Wolverhampton has built a solid reputation across the Services for delivering tailored education for the military community.  It has developed a strong portfolio of courses including a teaching qualification delivered in conjunction with RAF Cosford, the Defence College of Healthcare Education and Training (DCHET) at Defence Medical Services, accreditation for Physical Training Instructors’ courses and ‘Supporting the Unsung Hero’ - a business start-up programme for dependants’ of Armed forces Personnel, Veterans and Reservists.

The University is also a preferred supplier to the Career Transition Partnership and is committed to providing injured and sick Service personnel work experience and learning opportunities.

For further information about the courses and programmes available to the Armed Forces Community contact David Thompson the Armed Forces Co-ordinator at the University of Wolverhampton, on 01902 321677 or by email; mod-enquiries@wlv.ac.uk.

ENDS

Photo caption: Left to right, Major Tim carpenter, Lieutenant General Bashall, Private Lewis White, Mrs Pauline White, Mr David Thompson.

For more information please contact the Media Relations Office on 01902 32 2736 or 01902 518647.

Date Issued: 29th September 2016

For more information please contact the Corporate Communications Team.

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