Support across generations: Leicester alumna funds travel bursaries for arts students

One of the University of Leicester’s earliest graduates has helped to establish a fund to allow students to travel and broaden their horizons.

In the wake of the launch of the University’s 2121: Founders of the Future fundraising campaign, the Veronica Bramer Undergraduate Travel Award has been established in the School of Arts and Media Communications with a generous £2,500 gift by the award’s namesake. 

Veronica Bramer, née Gladden, studied Modern Languages (French) from 1955 to 1959, and was among the University’s earliest graduates. Her degree experience led Veronica to look for a job where she could use the skills she gained and it helped her to get a job in France where she could use her knowledge of the language.

The Veronica Bramer Undergraduate Travel Award will support students who are on a Year Abroad or in the final year of their degree in their independent study projects and research on their dissertations. Each year there will be up to 5 awards of £100 each that students can apply for to help fund trips such as visits to an archive, museum, or exhibition, or a cultural site relevant to their research.

Mindful of the increasing financial pressures faced by today’s students, Veronica is a committed supporter of Arts education and student opportunity.

Veronica said: “It is a comforting and satisfying thought to know that my legacy will help future generations of students and researchers. Times have changed, and financial support can make a real difference. If my gift can ease the way for even a few Arts students to pursue the subjects they love, that would give me great pleasure.

“My fondest memories of my time at the University of Leicester are really about the people and the sense of discovery. It was quite an education to meet so many different people from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures - far more diverse than the small, middle-class world I had grown up in. At that time, I had had little exposure to such a broad mix of communities. It broadened my horizons enormously.” 

Professor Mary Ann Lund, Head of the School of Arts, Media and Communication, said: “We were moved by Veronica Bramer’s generous donation, which will directly benefit today’s and tomorrow’s students. We firmly believe that travel broadens horizons; this fund will enrich and deepen our students’ independent research skills.  Thank you, Veronica, for championing the arts and culture!”

Veronica added: “It is important to support our university because it shaped our future lives in so many ways. I think students today have a very hard time. I followed my grandsons through university and they've all had to pay their way through. They've all made it but a lot of people don't. I’m glad that I can help people, that's the best thing.”

2121: Founders of the Future is the University’s most ambitious philanthropic endeavour to date, which looks to secure funding to allow the institution to tackle some of the world’s largest issues head on. Funding is sought for research, scholarship, and enhanced facilities across four themes: People, Planet, Health, and Culture.