Dr Carl Stephen Patrick Hunter has given enormous support to our Physics Department and was confirmed as Professor-in-Practice at Durham Business School lecturing from January 2019 on undergraduate and postgraduate programmes and supporting the Business School in building capability with respect to data and decision sciences.

Over a sustained period, Carl’s efforts have underpinned and supported Durham University’s strategic aims in terms of research excellence, education and enhancing the University’s reputation nationally and internationally. Carl has given time and support over many years to create the his company’s unique Undergraduate Internship Programme, which he attributes to the extraordinary Professor’s and Academic Staff in Durham Physics. Giving students, across all academic disciplines, opportunities in R&D and employment, in term-time, holiday and summer project environments. This gives undergraduate Physics, Engineering, Science, Law, Arts, Social Sciences and Business students an opportunity to tackle scientific problems, learn about industrial research, project planning and integrate their presentation, project and team-working skills in a high-exporting advanced manufacturing environment, overseen by Carl himself.

He is a member of the SCR of Hatfield and a great supporter of the Hatfield Association and the Leadership, Strategic & Development teams at the University.

Smiti Kumar has been a senior volunteer for Durham University via DunelmUSA since its inception in 1992. She joined the Board of the North American Foundation for the University of Durham (DunelmUSA), our US 501c3 charitable entity in 2010 and was appointed to President in 2016.

Over this period, the DunelmUSA operation has grown from a small charitable thoroughfare for donations to the University to a properly-functioning non-profit entity receipting over $3M in the last financial year, managing over 25 senior regional volunteers. In recent years, Smiti has directly managed Board leadership positions, created volunteer groups to support University promotion and recruitment in the US, establishing our US gala, and creating succession plans to ensure the future of the organisation.

In addition to her work on DunelmUSA she has been an active member of the Durham University Business School International Advisory Board, participating in thought leadership sessions on behalf of the School and organising numerous class reunions in recent times.

Richard Roberts is an active part of the ongoing growth and development of the St John's College community through the Senior Common Room, and as a trusted adviser to College Council and the Development Board. He is a John’s Eagle, a guest speaker and contributor, as well as a donor. He also gives his time to the Law School and the Development Office.

Richard has also proved to be a friend to students, the Art Collection and the University through his engagement with the Student Art Prize. He has been generous with his time not just in the planning and delivery of the award, but also in his enthusiastic engagement with the participants and eventual prize winners. His contribution has brought a wealth of experience, expertise, and challenge to the initiative.

 
Charles Wilson was one of a small group of founding donors who conceived the idea for the Institute of Hazard, Risk, and Resilience (IHRR) and contributed the initial financial resources to help establish the institute in 2007. He has continued to support the institute in numerous ways since its inception, including the establishment of the Wilson Chair in Hazard, Risk, and Resilience which has enabled senior staff to focus on high-quality and high-impact research in the field of hazard and risk.

Charles has also played an important role in thought-leadership for IHRR, acting as a critical friend to the institute and ensuring that it stays focused on its mission to improve the lives of people worldwide through a better understanding of risk and resilience.