Since the age of 12, Jacky knew that she wanted to attend university, having decided that higher education was her way out of a narrow lifestyle and she was determined to achieve her aim.
“I think only 1% of women went to university when I was younger, so it was very special to be one of those women,” explained Jacky. “Two of us from the same school wanted to come to Nottingham to read Industrial Economics and we didn’t think both of us would be accepted. Thankfully though, Don Varley, the admissions tutor, was keen to offer places to people he thought would make a contribution to Nottingham life, as well as those who he believed would be academically successful. So we were both accepted.”
With her dream of studying at university achieved, Jacky threw herself into Nottingham life; playing tennis, becoming president of the Junior Common Room in Florence Boot and serving on University Council. She fondly remembered organising and enjoying the ‘After Eight Ball’ in Florence Boot at the end of her term of office and speaking to successfully propose the next President of the Nottingham Union of Students.
“I am enormously proud of realising my dream to come to Nottingham. I was the first in my family to go to university which made it even more special,” added Jacky. “It was such a formative experience. Not just the studying, although that was fascinating, but all the friendships and connections that I made here. It has been the foundation for a really fulfilling life and career.”