Businessman 'comes home' to launch uni scholarship
A Sunderland-born businessman “came home” to launch a new university scholarship scheme – in honour of his parents.
David Archer’s parents – Mary and Brian Archer – met and taught at the University of Sunderland from the 1950s onwards – with Mr Archer warden of Wearmouth Hall student accommodation.
As a young child David lived on the top floor of the building.
Following his mother’s death earlier this year, David, who now runs his own consultancy firm, Socia, in London, has founded The Mary and Brian Archer Opportunity
Award.
The award is aimed at giving opportunities and financial support to students who need a helping hand to get the
best out of their time at university.
Mr Archer said: “My dad started as a lecturer in 1955 in the Department of Civil Engineering,
which had just been recently formed.
"My mum joined the same year in the Pharmacy Department and they met in the pharmacy lecture theatre attending a meeting of the College Staff Association.
“From the age of two to seven, 1963 to 1968, we lived in at the top of Wearmouth Hall in the flat on the 13th floor.
"It was a strange place for a young lad to live, but my memories of it are very happy.”
The family later moved to East Boldon with Mrs Archer going on to teach at Monkwearmouth FE College, while Mr Archer continued to work at the technical college, which became Sunderland Polytechnic and eventually the modern university, becoming acting head of the department of Civil Engineering up until his retirement in 1983.
Mr Archer said: “The university was a major part of both their lives and my mum and dad were very keen to see people apply what they had learned to the world.
“They were both about helping people realise their potential.
"When I was thinking how we could celebrate their lives I realised that the university had been a real constant throughout their lives.
“Places like the University of Sunderland are national institutions.
"But at the same time they’re really there for the people who live and work in the area.
"Sunderland really mattered to my parents, and it really matters to me,” Mr Archer went on to say.