Charlotte Riley

How a scholarship shaped my future

For many people, days at university are among the most formative in our lives – time spent becoming independent people, challenging thinking and making lifelong friends.

Though businessman Kevin Malone missed out on this experience personally, his generosity throughout his lifetime and subsequent gift in his Will, have given hundreds of bright, talented students like Charlotte Riley (Sociology, 2006) the chance to embrace the opportunities that University life offers.

“I needed to pay my way through my studies, so I lived at home and held down three jobs, including working at mum’s hairdressing salon,” said Charlotte. “I’m proud to be the first in my family to go to university.” 

“I’m also dyslexic so things take me longer. My scholarship was enormously helpful – just being able to afford photocopying helped me retain information. It also meant that I didn’t have to work as many hours during exam times, which made life so much more manageable. 

“I got a full-time job two weeks after leaving University and I haven’t stopped since. My mum was a hard-working, single parent and I’ve definitely got her work ethic! I now live and work in New York, just a few miles from New Jersey where Kevin set up his photographic business. I’m currently the Sales Director of Boardworks, an educational publisher which provides materials across 40 states and hundreds of districts in the USA. 

“If it wasn’t for people like Kevin, those willing to share the fruits of their success with others, then University would have been a very different experience for me. The fact that the Ethel and Kevin B Malone scholarship will continue to help young people for years to come thanks to his legacy gift is a truly wonderful thing. He is an inspiration.” 

Today, prospective students are facing increasing financial pressures which could deter those from disadvantaged backgrounds from pursuing an academic future. This is why legacy gifts like this are so important – helping us ensure that merit, and not background, is what opens the door to higher education for people from all walks of life.

 

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If The University of Nottingham shaped your future, will you help shape the future of our University?

Gifts in Wills are having a meaningful and lasting impact on all areas of our work – from funding pioneering research and transforming ourcampuses to supporting our students. Once you have taken care of your loved ones, please consider the University in your Will. 

For more information about legacy giving, please phone us on +44 (0)115 95 13664, email impactcampaign@nottingham.ac.uk or find out more.