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Durham University Alumni Magazine
Dunelmensis Awards 2020 The Dunelmensis Award is given by the University’s Senate to a Durham alumnus or alumna for meritorious and exceptional service in support of the University, particularly for our institutional advancement and for enhancing the University’s reputation, nationally and internationally.
Joanna Barker, MBE
Dr Rashmi Misra
The 2020 awards will be presented later this year to two outstanding alumni.
Joanna Barker, MBE French, Collingwood College, 1977-81 Joanna has shown exceptional commitment to the University over many years. She has played a major role in the governance of our University on Council, Finance Committee, the Campaign Board and the International Advisory Board of the Institute for Medieval and Early Modern Studies. This work has immeasurably supported the direction of the institution. The academic contribution that Joanna has made, particularly in the field of Early Modern studies, has included support for events and the publication of her own distinguished scholarly work. The philanthropic support she has given together with her husband Graham has been a crucial part of significant, transformational activity. We greatly appreciate the access that this has made possible to the University’s Special Collections in the Palace Green Library, and the MA and PhD scholarships that the School of Modern Languages and Cultures has been able to award to high-performing students. Over a sustained period, Joanna’s contributions have underpinned and
supported our strategic aims in terms of research excellence and education, as well as enhancing the University’s reputation nationally and internationally. Joanna has, in her own working life, enacted the commitment to diversity and equality that we ourselves embody, in her finance career, her charitable work, and her own ongoing scholarly practice. The conferment is an opportunity for the University to thank Joanna for the countless hours she has given to supporting Durham University and the School of Modern Languages and Cultures.
Dr Rashmi Misra Computer Science, St Mary’s College, 1989-92 Rashmi joined the Computer Science External Advisory Board shortly after its inception in 2016, and has since played an integral role in the developments of the Department in relation to a wide range of issues, including recruitment, curriculum, gender diversity, and student enterprise. Rashmi and her husband Rajiv – also a Durham graduate – hosted their first alumni event at their home in Texas in 2017,
welcoming the Vice-Chancellor and some 50 guests in the first-ever co-ordinated event in the area. Since then, Rashmi has also participated as a panellist in a Career Networking Event in London, before hosting another alumni event with her family in their new home in Seattle. Despite a busy schedule of international travel leading the AI and Mixed Reality Business Development team at Microsoft, she frequently makes herself available to support the University, returning to Durham last year to deliver a talk to first-year Computer Science students as part of the new Computational Thinking Module led by Professor Sue Black. Rashmi is a global figurehead in the technology industry and a wonderful ambassador for the University. She has had a high level of involvement in the University’s activities at home and abroad, operating in both a strategic advisory capacity and as a host to our North American alumni communities. Rashmi is always generous with her time and support despite working at an extremely senior level, and the University is delighted to recognise her immense contribution with this Award.
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