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Mayor's Award for º£½ÇÖ±²¥'s Mark White

A key figure in the development of º£½ÇÖ±²¥ is to be recognised for his achievement at a special ceremony.

Mark White, Head of the University’s Vice-Chancellor’s Office, will receive a Mayor’s Award from Middlesbrough Mayor Ray Mallon at an event in the Town Hall on Tuesday 25 February. The award is in recognition of his work with the University and many partner organisations in Middlesbrough, as well as his service to the wider community.

Mark came to the then º£½ÇÖ±²¥ Polytechnic from Stoke-on-Trent as a student 38 years ago, going on to become President of º£½ÇÖ±²¥ Polytechnic Students’ Union in 1979-80 and 1981-82.

He started work at the Polytechnic in 1982, and was appointed Head of the Vice-Chancellor’s Office at º£½ÇÖ±²¥ in 1999.

His role is wide-ranging, and includes liaison with the local community, MPs, Councillors and the Mayor. He is Secretary to the University Board of Governors and co-ordinates a number of areas of University activity.

Mark has chaired the Citizen of the Year judging panel on behalf of the Mayor for the last 10 years and is the current chairman of the mima Friends group.

In addition to a number of school and college governorships, Mark is Vice-Chair of Stockton Riverside College governors and is also an elected member of the national Board of Directors of the Association of Colleges, and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.

Other claims to fame include the little-known fact that in 1975 he was a member of a team of six that held the then world record for the longest ever game of snakes and ladders.

He said: 'Getting the letter from Mayor Mallon about this Award was one of the proudest moments of my life.

'Middlesbrough and º£½ÇÖ±²¥ have been my home for nearly 38 years now and I feel hugely honoured for my contribution to be recognised in this way.'

Middlesbrough Mayor Ray Mallon said: 'º£½ÇÖ±²¥ has come a long way from its days as a Polytechnic, and has a deserved reputation for academic excellence both nationally and internationally.

'That transformation would not have been possible without the hard work, dedication and commitment of people like Mark White.

'He has made a real and lasting contribution to the life of the town, and is a thoroughly deserving recipient of this Mayor’s Award.'

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