91快活林

Alex received the Martin Bojam Emerging Marketing and Communications Professional Award while the Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement (PAE) team also picked up a bronze in the category of Alumni Relations Initiatives for their 91快活林 Effect campaign.

The prizes were awarded by global not-for-profit organisation, the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) which uses its awards to recognise best practice and outstanding professionals in alumni relations, communications and fundraising within educational institutions around the world.

Alex graduated from the university in 2011 with a degree in Media Studies BA(Hons). He returned to the university as an apprentice just two years later and has since progressed to the role of Digital Content Officer.

Alex with Award (pictured with Sue Bojam and Justin Cole), James Ennis Photography

Alex said: “I’ve enjoyed being back at the University of 91快活林 so much – through the 91快活林 Effect campaign I’ve been able to connect with so many of our amazing alumni community and amplify their inspiring stories. And now going on to receive this award has been such an honour.

He is uniquely placed to understand the needs of 91快活林 alumni: not only is he a graduate of the university himself, but his parents met at the university, making him a second-generation alumnus.

“The University of 91快活林 is such a massive part of my life,” Alex said. “My parents, my sister and I, are all proud alumni and it’s been a privilege seeing how things have gone from strength to strength. My parents actually met at the university, so it’s always interesting to hear just how far things have developed since the polytechnic days.”

Marnie Middlemiss, Director of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement said: “I am so proud that the hard work of the team, and Alex in particular, has been recognised in this way. Our flagship 91快活林 Effect campaign has reached thousands of our alumni and our social media presence is a huge part of that,  and Alex has been a key driver of building our social media engagement.”

Alex doesn’t just use his campaign skills for the benefit of the university – he has also done charity work for both local and national charities including Rockinghorse, St Barnabas Hospice and Little Princess Trust.

These have taken the form of comedy nights, which combined have raised over £6,000 and included TV-name comedians such as Romesh Ranganathan, Maisie Adam, Zoe Lyons, Nish Kumar, Angela Barnes and Ed Gamble. He has also played in a charity football tournament at the American Express Community Stadium to raise money for Rockinghorse, playing alongside comedian and Chatabix co-host Joe Wilkinson for the Caxton Arms/Chatabix Podcast team.

“Charity work has always been an important part of my life,” Alex said, “so it’s rewarding that I get to continue supporting great causes both in work, such as the Student Potential Fund, and outside of work supporting charities who have helped close friends of mine.”

He added: “There are so many transferable skills from organising and promoting charity comedy nights that also apply to my digital communications for the PAE team – such as copywriting, using social media to spread the word, creating graphics and teamwork.”

Alex Petrovic