In this issue
Visitors Book: Visits to King's
Almost every day our campus welcomes distinguished guests, from experts in their field and members of the King’s alumni community...
It was a sunny and clear evening in London on Thursday 22 June when alumni, their guests, staff and students – all dressed in their finery – arrived at Strand Campus for a memorable occasion: to celebrate the King’s Distinguished Alumni Award winners for 2023.
Now in its seventh year, the King’s Distinguished Alumni Awards give the King’s community the opportunity to commend alumni who are making an impact through their outstanding work to support the university, or society more widely. ‘These awards not only give us an opportunity to celebrate our selected winners, but also the chance to discover hundreds of alumni who are making the world a better place,’ says Katie Raymond, interim Head of Alumni Relations at King’s, adding that ‘the ceremony is a highlight in our King’s calendar; a beautiful evening of good food, music, and community. I left feeling incredibly inspired.’
The award categories
Alum of the Year
This award recognises a member of the King’s alum body who has achieved exceptional success in their field or has demonstrated outstanding personal achievement.
Helen Hudson Award
This award recognises a member of the King’s alum community who has made an exemplary contribution to the university or alumni body.
King’s Future Alumni Award
This award is given to a current King’s student who has demonstrated exceptional potential alongside their studies through extracurricular activities.
King’s in Service Award
This award is for a member of the King’s alum community who has made a significant impact to society through charitable or voluntary work.
King’s Local Communities Impact Award
This award recognises a King’s graduate who has made an outstanding impact within one of King’s home boroughs (Lambeth, Southwark or Westminster).
King’s International Impact Award
This award recognises a member of the King’s alum body who has made an outstanding impact globally or within an international community, working to address worldwide challenges.
King’s Business and Entrepreneurial Award
This award is given to a King’s graduate who showcases exceptional business acumen and entrepreneurial spirit and has used their entrepreneurial mindset to make the world a better place.
King’s Art and Culture Award
The winner of this award is a King’s graduate who has shown outstanding achievement within the arts and culture, demonstrating creativity, ingenuity and cultural impact.
King’s STEM Award
This award recognises a member of the King’s alum community who is driving impact and transformation in the fields of science, technology, engineering or mathematics.
King’s Global Health Award
This award celebrates a King’s graduate who has demonstrated outstanding impact in the medical or healthcare sectors.
King’s Emerging Leader Award
This award recognises a recent King’s graduate (within five years) who has exhibited exceptional success or rapid progression within their chosen profession, and come to be recognised as a ‘rising star’.
King’s Changemaker Award
This award celebrates a King’s graduate who uses their knowledge with purpose to challenge the status quo and shift traditional norms to address challenges in society.
Dr Ronx
The evening’s host
Dr Abidemi (Ronx) Ikharia (Medicine, 2011), emergency medical doctor, author of Amazing Bodies and known for their work on TV shows such as Operation Ouch! (CBBC), The Unshockable Dr Ronx (BBC Three), Is Covid Racist? (Channel 4), The Truth About… (BBC One) and Are Women the Fitter Sex? (Channel 4) hosted the evening’s celebration. It was perhaps a full-circle moment for them as, alongside being an alum themself, Dr Ronx was also the recipient of the Alumni Impact Award in 2020. ‘The winners were so deserving,’ says Ronx, adding: ‘I know good people when I see them and [Professor Shitij Kapur] is really, really championing diversity, inclusion and accessibility. Thanks for asking me to host – I am so excited to collaborate more in the future.’
