Graduate Sarah Lamb has seen her industry rewarded after she claimed two top prizes for academic achievement, engagement and performance, and secured a First class honours degree from the University of Sunderland.
The 23-year-old from Whitley Bay has been awarded the Ede & Ravenscroft Prize for Outstanding Academic Achievement and Engagement across the entire undergraduate business programmes, and the Chartered Institute in Marketing Prize for the best performance.
Sarah attained the highest classification score among the business students for the third year in succession, and even managed to improve on her average grade in each of the last three years. The double recognition of her success at her graduation ceremony was in addition to winning Placement Student of the Year in 2014.
She said: “I have enjoyed my time at Sunderland and couldn’t have asked for a better university life, and involvement with extra activities and opportunities. I'll always be grateful for the support and guidance from staff and am so proud of what I have achieved; it has totally given me a new outlook and boost of confidence for my further studies and life.”
During her studies Sarah proactively and extensively engaged in a variety of Sunderland Futures opportunities. She undertook a placement year at Theory Branding and a summer internship at Tomee Tippee.
Joel Arnott, Programme Leader, said: “Sarah has been a truly exemplary student and has achieved these outstanding results despite significant challenges and difficulties; she attained her grades despite only being diagnosed with dyslexia and dyspraxia in January of her final year.
“Sarah had excellent natural ability but worked exceptionally to develop and succeed. Her desire to learn, improve and grow, and level of dedication, application and sheer hard work, was genuinely amazing.”
Sarah participated in professional mentoring and a student buddy scheme, acted as a student representative for her programme, volunteered, represented the Faculty of Business and Law to give talks to parents at open days, and was the Social Chair for the Business Society.
She has not yet finished with her studies and will begin a post graduate teaching programme in September to pursue a career in higher education. She hopes to inspire future generations of students in the years to come.