Loughborough have missed out in their bid to become the Higher Education Student Union of the Year, awarded by the NUS in Leeds on Wednesday night. Northumbria Student Union picked up the trophy.
The Loughborough contingent that travelled up north would no doubt have been disappointed, having made the trip with high hopes of picking up the big award.
Di Boston from the Students' Union Evaluation Initiative was helping to judge the Higher Education SU of the Year. About Northumbria she said:
“The panel was really impressed by a strong shortlist but one union stood out to us, one union for whom it has been a really good year.”
Out-going Union President, Lucy Hopkins tweeted:
"Well done Northumbria….#nusawards we'll win this time next year!"
That feeling of disappointment was made better by the success of Chris Spencer, who won Staff Member of the Year for the continued effort made to improve the facilities available to the student population.
Loughborough's Global Development Office, Taz Siddeeque, was also nominated for Student Unionist of the Year, but did not run out a winner.
The awards cap what has been an excellent year for the Union, who made great strides with projects such as Better Decisions, whilst they also managed to negotiate turbalent periods over the Browne Review and the sabbatical elections.
It is widely agreed that three nominations is a mark of that success.
Ben Croucher, Head of Media, said:
"LSU can be extremely proud of what has been achieved in the past 12 months. From the incredible Executive to all the dedicated, hardworking staff members, Loughborough Students’ Union has broken every boundary in striving to better the lives of Loughborough students.
"Congratulations to Northumbria SU for being humble and deserving winners. Good luck to the 2011/12 Executive in aiming to bring the trophy home next year.”
In-coming President, Rebecca Bridger, will be looking to build on this year's success and along with her team, undoubtedly will aim to go one further in 2012.
