EVENTS
SPECIALIST
INSPIRES
YOUNG
PEOPLE
FROM
NORTH
GLASGOW
The catwalk show, deliberately
constructed to reflect the
University’s commitment to
sustainability, was staged at
QMU
a n d
formed
part of
Arlene’s
honours degree. In front
of a significant audience,
Arlene’s true potential
had been realised and
she was soon to make her mark on
the world of events management.
Never losing touch with the
professor who sparked her
enthusiasm for the events industry,
the University has stayed involved
in Arlene’s career development.
Professor Joe Goldblatt, QMU’s
Director of the International Centre
for the Study of Planned Events, was so
impressed with her success – she rose
above experienced industry experts to
become winner at The Scottish Event
Awards for her Green Fashion Show
– that he featured her in his events
management text book ‘Special Events:
A New Generation and the Next Frontier’.
Over the last
four years, it
has been with
great
pride
that Professor
Goldblatt has
watched Arlene’s career progress,
firstly as the Student Event Manager
for East Lothian’s 'The Saltire' and 'The
Homecoming Finale', then working with
the events team in COSLA and now with
her present organisation, ng homes.
A
dress made
of glass from
recycled green
bottles grabbed media
headlines, delighted
university officials and
created a memorable
occasion at an event
co-ordinated by
stand-out student
Arlene Rush at the
University’s first Green
Fashion Show in 2009.
20
QMYOU / Alumni & Development News
Arlene’s role as Events and
Governance Co-ordinator sees her
establish opportunities and deliver a
comprehensive events calendar for the
community to flourish through events as
part of the on-going regeneration of a
highly deprived area.
One of the most rewarding areas of
Arlene’s work is the development of
new partnerships with local schools to
establish opportunities for young people
in the community. Arlene explained:
“Having drawn heavily on lectures
delivered by Professor Goldblatt, I created
and delivered an innovative Events
Management Training and Volunteering
Programme for young people in North
Glasgow. The programme is about
inspiring young people to take up
opportunities in their community as
part of their personal development and
journey to employment in the events
industry.”
The programme was awarded
Commonwealth Games legacy status
supported by Cllr Archie Graham, Depute
Leader of Glasgow City Council and
Executive Member for the Commonwealth
Games, and commended in the Scottish
Parliament by 13 MSPs.
Professor Goldblatt travelled to see
Arlene deliver the programme and
spotted an opportunity to enhance what
Arlene had started. He said: “ng homes
is now working with QMU to identify how
together we may educate and inspire
future generations who will improve
their communities as Arlene has done.
The support from ng homes allows us to
investigate how to create a sustainable
event management training programme
for school leavers, and the under and
unemployed residents of the community
so that they may go, as Arlene has done,
from strength to strength in the future.”
If you would like to find out more about
Arlene’s Events Management Training
and Volunteer Programme you can
contact her on T: 0141 630 4264 or E:
[email protected]. ❒
Rosalyn’s sustainability
legacy to QMU
Rosalyn Marshall, recently retired
Vice Principal at QMU, has made a
financial donation which will support
QMU’s ongoing focus on sustainable
development.
Rosalyn was instrumental in the
development of QMU’s new campus
at Musselburgh – leading the build
project and placing sustainability
at the very core of the University’s
vision. Recognised as an exemplar
in sustainability within the higher
education sector nationally and
internationally, the campus is a physical
example of QMU’s commitment to
sustainability and is the foundation
upon which its vision and strategy
continue to develop.
QMU’s holistic approach to achieving
a lasting legacy of sustainable practice
is also Rosalyn’s legacy. QMU’s
thinking and practice not only takes
account of its immediate campus
environment, but extends to curriculum
development and leadership.
Rosalyn’s donation will support the
development of a short film which will
highlight the environmental aspects of
QMU’s campus and further promote its
commitment to sustainability. ❒