Celebrating 12 years of the Victor Thomas Penfold Scholarship

When Graham (SOC79) and Maria Penfold returned to UEA earlier this year, they were met by two scholars and more than a decade of stories.

The visit brought them together with two current recipients of the Victor Thomas Penfold Scholarship: Abigail Bessell, who is studying BA International Relations and Politics, and Poppy Ithell, who is studying BA Politics. It was also a chance to present Graham and Maria with a special photobook, created to celebrate the many scholars whose lives have been touched by their generosity over the years.

For Graham, the day was an “absolute delight”.

Abigail was meeting Graham and Maria for the first time. Poppy had met them both before but, as Graham put it, she had grown into someone even more lively, confident and full of energy.

“To help both of those young people, in some way, in some small way, is an absolutely fantastic feeling,” he said.

The Victor Thomas Penfold Scholarship was created in memory of Graham’s father, who was a passionate advocate for education. Graham arrived at UEA in 1979, but his father died during Graham’s second year and never saw him graduate.

Years later, a chance conversation in the foyer of Norwich Theatre Royal with one of Graham’s former professors, Richard Wilson, brought those memories back into focus. When Graham told him that UEA had made “a world of difference” to his life, the conversation led, eventually, to a meeting with UEA’s Development, Alumni and Campaigns Office.

From there, the Victor Thomas Penfold Scholarship was born.

At the time, Graham remembers that first commitment feeling like a major step. It was the first time he and Maria had made a significant philanthropic gift, and he admits it felt “a bit apprehensive” in the beginning. But as the scholarship grew, so did their connection to the students it supported.

“As the scholarship has grown and matured and developed, so have we with it,” Graham said. “Enriched by all the scholars’ experiences and successes.”

Over the last 12 years, the scholarship has supported 12 talented students studying business, politics and international relations. Its impact can be seen not only in UEA degrees completed and careers begun, but in the confidence gained, opportunities taken and futures widened.

The inaugural scholar said the scholarship helped them manage one of the biggest practical challenges of returning to education as a mature student: how to finance their studies in a sustainable way. Graham and Maria’s generosity, they said, allowed them to focus more fully on their studies and leave university with greater financial freedom.

Today, three current scholars continue to benefit from Graham and Maria’s support: Carl Rickman, Poppy Ithell and Abigail Bessell.

For Poppy, the impact has been just as personal: “Coming to UEA has been the best thing so far in my life.”

Abigail described receiving the scholarship as “a tremendous honour”.

For Graham, seeing that transformation in person is one of the greatest rewards.

“They’re not all the same,” he said. “It’s not some kind of rubber mould that’s stamping things out. We’ve seen people heading in all sorts of different directions: stopping sweatshops in the UK, going into journalism, all sorts of successful things. And that’s just wonderful.”

Graham’s own UEA story is woven through the scholarship. He remembers arriving as a nervous young man and leaving with a new way of thinking. UEA, he said, taught him to analyse, to hold his ground when he believed he was right, and to think differently.

The connection has become a family one too. Graham and Maria’s son later studied at UEA, completing a combined master’s in computer science before going on to build a career as a senior programmer in computer gaming.

Looking back, Graham describes the scholarship as one of the best things that has happened in his life.

His advice to anyone thinking about supporting UEA is simple: start where you can.

“If you’re really worried, it’s time to be brave, but start small if you need to,” he said. “Not everybody can reach out and write a cheque for £8,000 or more. It doesn’t matter what the amount is. Even a small contribution is often the starting point.”

For Graham and Maria, that first step has grown into something far greater than they could have imagined: a scholarship that honours a father’s belief in education, reflects Graham’s own UEA journey, and continues to give students the confidence, freedom and encouragement to shape their own futures.

As Graham put it, the benefits and rewards of supporting scholars, and meeting them along the way, are “priceless”.

We’re so grateful to Graham and Maria for their continued support and for the time they give to get to know the students they’re championing.

View our scholarships brochure to read more about this year’s scholars and donor-funded scholarships.

To find out more about how you can support scholars here at UEA, visit our website.