Record number of Christian Unions nominated for university society awards

Christian Unions have been formally recognised for their contribution to university life by either winning or being nominated for a record-breaking 34 Students’ Union (SU) awards in 2013.

Commenting on Oxford Brookes CU’s nomination for Best Society Award, Paul McCormack, Vice President of Oxford Brookes Students Union, said: ‘Out of over 75 societies, [Brookes CU] was the first one we considered for nomination. We were particularly impressed with the number of students that have been involved in events. This is an incredible achievement and one [they] can be really proud of’. Chester CU President Sarah Kinder commented: ‘The [Society of the Year] award is judged on factors such as: membership, activity on campus and relationship with the SU. We felt very blessed to receive the award’.

Engaged and outward looking

‘Healthy CUs that are fully engaged with the university and are outward-looking will be attractive to all types of students’, said UCCF Director Richard Cunningham. He continues: ‘It is striking that, as our society becomes more tribal and interest groups become more homogenous, the nation’s university CUs are standing out as welcoming and inclusive. What has been most striking to the Students’ Unions has been the capacity of CUs to reach out effectively and generously to all types of student regardless of race, religion, class, gender or sexuality’.

Receiving so many awards and nominations just goes to show the valuable contribution Christian Unions make to student life in Great Britain. They help freshers move into their halls of residence and organise exciting debates and events on campus, among other things. Christian Unions are often the biggest and most active societies on campus and are clearly appreciated by many Students’ Union officers.

CU awards and nominations for 2013

1. Bedford CU: Awarded Executive Committee of 2012-2013
2. Bangor CU: Awarded International Society of the Year second year running
3. Cardiff CU: Nominated for Best Event of the Year and Best Society Member
4. Chester CU: Awarded Society of the Year
5. Derby CU: Nominated for Society of the Year and Committee of the Year
6. De Montfort CU: Nominated for Best Event (for their Uncover — See For Yourself Events Week)
7. Falmouth CU: Nominated for Best Society of the Year and the Co-President for Most Outstanding Committee Member
8. Heriot Watt CU: Nominated for Best New Society
9. Hertfordshire CU: Nominated for: Society of the Year, Collaboration of the Year, Committee of the Year, Committee Member of the Year and Event of the Year
10. Lincoln CU: Nominated for: Society’s Committee, Society of the Year and Best Events for their Acoustic Night and Missions Week
11. Liverpool John Moore CU: Awarded Society of the Month
12. London School of Economics CU: Awarded Silver for their Contribution to the Students’ Union, Student Activities and Wider Community
13. Oxford Brookes CU: Nominated for Best Society
14. Queen Margaret University CU: Nominated for Society of the Year
15. Queen Margaret University CU President, Kirsty Moore: Awarded Society Personality of the Year
16. Queen Margaret University CU Vice President, Neill Prentice: Awarded the ‘blues’ award for Special Appreciation for Most Active Involvement
17. Strathclyde CU: Nominated for Strathclyde Union’s Star Award
18. Surrey CU: Awarded Society of the Year and Faith Society of the Year
19. Teesside CU: Awarded Most Improved Society
20. University of the West England CU: Awarded for their Outstanding Contribution to the Student Experience for 2012-2013
21. Wolverhampton CU: Awarded Society Collaboration of the Year for sharing Christianity in the Students’ Union Interfaith week