23 June 2005

Graduate awarded Dean's medal

Photo opportunity: 11.30am approx, Friday 24 June 2005, immediately following morning graduation ceremony, Press Meeting Point, Caird Hall steps.

Steve Wicks who graduates from the University of Dundee tomorrow with an LLB Law degree in Law has been awarded the Dean’s medal in the Faculty of Law and Accountancy.

Steve (25), from Carnoustie, has completed his degree despite dealing with the debilitating and unpredictable illness Crohn's disease. During his University studies, Steve spent time in hospital around twice a year on average as he sought treatment for the condition.

"It was pretty bad at times, but it is something I had to deal with and I managed to complete my studies around it," said Steve.

His delight on hearing he had been awarded the Dean's medal was unbounded. "I was absolutely shocked and amazed - I practially danced around the room and out of the window!"

The Dean's medal is not awarded every year and is only presented to a student who has shown outstanding and exemplary efforts in their studies.

Dean of the Faculty of Law and Accountancy, Professor Colin Reid said, "Steven earned this award by the way in which he coped with his illness, always keeping a positive attitude with his studies and seeing it as an obstacle to be worked around not an obstacle to progress."

By Roddy Isles, Head of Press 01382 344910, out of hours: 07968298585, r.isles@dundee.ac.uk