Mother and son share university award

A mother and son from Sunderland have both won a prestigious university scholarship.

Vicky Graham and Jake Judson have become the first mother and son recipients of the Sir Tom Cowie Sunderland Award, a scholarship created by the University of Sunderland to help local people achieve their full potential. 

The award was established in memory of Wearside entrepreneur Sir Tom Cowie, who championed access to higher education for talented individuals regardless of background.

Both Vicky and Jake exemplify the award’s aim of nurturing local talent and ambition.

Vicky, 41, received the award in 2018 while completing her Primary Education degree and is now associate head of school for professional development and international education at the University of Sunderland. 

Inspired by her son, she returned to study after 15 years in financial services.

She said: “At the time I received the award I was working long hours while studying for my undergraduate degree, and the scholarship allowed me to reduce my working hours and fully immerse myself in my studies. 

“I had a young family then and found the financial support invaluable in helping me balance my home, work and study commitments, which ultimately enabled me to succeed in my degree.

“But the award is more than just financial; it is prestigious and well-respected recognition that opened up opportunities for my academic achievements to be recognised more widely. 

“The connections I made following the award led to invitations to speak at conferences and events and to share my research with the wider university community including SENCOs (Special Educational Needs Co-ordinators), school mentors and students. 

“This, in turn, led to my further involvement in teaching and learning at the University and ultimately started my journey which led to the role I am in today.”

Jake, 20, is studying modern music industries at the University’s Northern Academy of Music Education and plans to run local gigs and festivals after graduation. 

He added: “The Sir Tom Cowie Charitable Trust does fantastic work with young people in the north-east, including supporting music and the arts. 

“I feel very fortunate that this initiative was available to me and I am delighted to be a small part of Sir Tom's legacy.”

“Work hard, take every opportunity that is presented to you and focus on doing the very best you can do. 

“Keep being wonderfully unique and show the world what you are made of.”

Vicky added: “I decided to train as a teacher following Jake’s diagnosis with autism, driven by a desire to better understand his needs and the wider landscape of SEND (Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities) provision in the UK.

“Jake had a tough time through much of his school years, never quite fitting into the conventional mould of what a “good” or “well-behaved” student is expected to be. 

“As a result, he faced many setbacks, and I often worried that he might not make it to university or find a career that suited his skills and strengths. 

“For his future, I want him to be happy and safe, and to have the rewarding career he’s working so hard towards. 

“He has fantastic drive and ambition, and I’d love to see him build on the skills and knowledge from his degree to move into industry and truly embrace the music scene in Sunderland.”

Vicky and Jake alongside fellow alumni, current students, chief executive and vice-chancellor of the University of Sunderland Sir David Bell and Lady Cowie at the thirteenth annual Sir Tom Cowie Scholars dinner, held recently at the University.

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