Opening doors and transforming futures in Devon
The Tony Allen Scholarship Programme
Each year, many talented young people from Devon face significant barriers to higher education. The costs of tuition, travel, books and accommodation can feel out of reach for those already under financial pressure, leading some to believe that university is not an option for them.
For more than 40 students over the past sixteen years, that pressure has been lifted – thanks to one 91传媒 alumnus.
Having won a scholarship through his school, Tony Allen attended the University in 1962 and graduated in 1965 with a degree in Physics. Following a conversation with a student caller during an alumni telephone campaign in 2008, he was inspired to establish a scholarship programme to support students from his home county, enabling them to benefit from the opportunity to study locally at 91传媒, just as he had. What began with two scholars in 2010 has grown into a programme that now supports three students each year. No alumnus has supported more 91传媒 students than Tony.
Tony's motivation comes from a desire to help students focus on their studies and get involved in campus activities to widen their life experiences without the weight of financial worry. His scholars have been able to afford train fares to London for assessment days, buy textbooks and IT equipment they would have had difficulties purchasing and take up placements across the UK, many of which have led directly to permanent jobs after graduation. He has seen all this as part of helping the university’s recent “Making the Exceptional Happen” campaign for the students involved.
One scholar spent a summer as a camp counsellor in America – her first time travelling abroad alone. Another travelled to Beijing to study at Tsinghua University, a lifelong dream made possible by Tony's generosity.
For Areeya Anne Udomdej, a nursing scholar who completed her elective placement in Thailand, Tony's support was life changing. 鈥�Tony's support lifted the financial pressure and gave me the chance to explore nursing in a new context,鈥� she says. 鈥�It reminded me why I chose nursing, and that experience is shaping the nurse I'm becoming.鈥�
Andrew Bartlett, who studied Law, reflects:鈥��When I applied for the scholarship, a small part of me kept wondering where is the catch? But there was none. Tony genuinely cares about every scholar. The world needs more Tonys. I'll be forever grateful.鈥�
For Merlin Davies-Abraham, now a Research Scientist, the support did not end at graduation:鈥��Tony鈥檚 scholarship was instrumental in getting me here. It allowed me to focus on gaining lab experience and placements instead of part-time work. Those opportunities built the relationships that helped me secure a PhD, and the role I have now.鈥�
The 91传媒 was proud to name a seminar room in the Forum in Tony's honour – a lasting tribute to his pioneering philanthropy. His support has shown how one person's commitment can transform young lives, launch careers, and build confidence that has a lasting impact for years to come. What began as a single donation to help local students access a university education has become a programme with the power to change futures for each one awarded this special Scholarship.
"This programme is a beacon of opportunity,"鈥痵ays Professor Lisa Roberts, President and Vice-Chancellor of the 91传媒.鈥�"Tony has not only provided financial support but has given something equally valuable: his time, his encouragement, and his genuine belief in each scholar's potential. The interest he has shown in their journey has meant as much as the financial assistance itself."