Outstanding students receive Larmor Awards

Four brilliant graduating students who both excelled academically and contributed to the life of the College while at St John's, have been honoured with this year's Larmor Awards.

Each year at St John’s, students who excel academically and contribute to the life of the College, can be nominated for the prestigious Larmor Awards, which are presented on the morning of General Admission, or “Degree Day”.

The Awards, presented by the Master, are named after the twentieth-century physicist and mathematician Sir Joseph Larmor, FRS, a former student at St John’s who made great innovations in the understanding of electricity and thermodynamics. Nominees for the awards are recommended by a committee of both College Fellows and undergraduate students, based on “intellectual qualifications, moral conduct and practical activities”.

Winners of a Larmor Award receive a unique handcrafted piece of silverware engraved with the College crest and their name, as well as a financial prize.

This year’s winners are:

Kweku Abraham: Kweku has proven outstanding academically, achieving high First Class results in each part of his Mathematics Tripos. He also has a huge commitment to College outreach and inspiring future generations of students at open days, subject days and other events. He is especially committed to supporting prospective students from less advantaged backgrounds. Kweku is also active in College sport and music, and has served as President of the St John’s Mathematical Society. Kweku is currently reading Part III Mathematics and will continue at St John’s to study for a PhD.

Lizzie Bamber: Lizzie has consistently obtained a First in all three years of the Natural Sciences course, including particular success in her final year, when her performance was recognised by receiving the Cambridge Neuroscience Award for Best Overall Performance in Part II Neuroscience. In addition to academic excellence, Lizzie has contributed actively to College life, playing both Netball and Lacrosse and serving on the JCR Committee as Welfare Officer.

Ed Picton-Turbervill: Ed is an exceptionally talented Organ Scholar and regularly achieved First Class marks in the Music Tripos. He has been an energetic and innovative President of the College Music Society, and almost single-handedly organised the first ever St John’s Music Festival. In addition to a wide range of extra musical activities, Ed has constructively challenged and improved the College’s environmental policy during his time as an undergraduate.

Chris Snowden: Chris has achieved brilliant academic success, obtaining a First Class grade with Distinction in Engineering. He has received the Institute of Civil Engineers Baker Prize, the Ian Hall Prize and the Wright Prize for his academic achievements, as well as a United Steel Companies Scholarship. As well as being an outstanding student, Chris is a top class College sportsman and rower, rowing in Goldie, the University’s Second Boat, twice and almost making the final cut for the Blue Boat. Chris was also the LMBC Men’s Vice Captain in 2013 and won the Cambridge University Boat Club President’s Academic Prize, awarded to the top academic performance by a member of the University Boat Race squad.