Hundreds of students from DMU descended on the King Power Stadium on Friday to celebrate the end of the year at our Summer Ball.
Hundreds of students from De Montfort University (DMU) descended on Leicester City’s King Power Stadium on Friday night to celebrate the end of the year at De Montfort Students’ Union (DSU)’s Summer Ball.
The evening – sponsored by Sulets and hosted by our Officer Team – looked back on the highlights of an action-packed 12 months spent representing your academic interests at DMU, and also recognised the achievements of those members who have contributed to the student experience during 2017/18.
Lauren Thomas, who was Women’s Representative at DSU in 2016/17, was the big winner on the night as she was named as DSU’s Personality of the Year.
“I’m thrilled,” she said. “The students’ union has been such a big part of my university experience and it’s so lovely to be recognised for the work that I have put into DSU over the past few years.
“I love everyone – it’s like one big family.”
(L-R) Mollie Footitt, DP Education at DSU, presented the DSU Personality of the Year Award to Lauren Thomas alongside Jessica Okwuonu, current VP Welfare and Community and president-elect of DSU.
But when asked about why she thought she’d won ‘Personality of the Year’, Lauren – who is studying for a Master’s in Performance Practices – was self-deprecating as ever.
“They can’t know me very well,” she explained, with a smile. “I’m really lame!
“I always try to get to know everyone and be someone who can bring positive energy to a room, so it is really lovely to be recognised for that.
“This [Summer Ball] has been such a wonderful wrap-up to the year – although I’ve got a bit more to go – and it’s so lovely to come together with everyone that have been such a big part of my university experience to have one last celebration before we all go our separate ways.”
Other awards given out on the night included Unsung Hero for Bollywood Dance chair Aashni Sawjani and Most Improved Student Group for the Cocktail Society, presented between the four courses of dinner for the close to 300 guests that packed out the Walker’s Hall at the King Power Stadium.
Students were also treated to a two-part recap of our highlights of the year – which you can watch here and here – as well as some of our favourite bloopers from 2017/18.
The Liberal Democrat Society were presented with the Raise and Give (RAG) Award for their charitable work over the past 12 months.
The full list of awards presented on the night included;
The celebrations were the last major event at DSU for outgoing President Ahtesham Mahmood, who also served as VP Student Activities at DSU in 2016/17.
“It takes a certain kind of person to be crazy enough do this job,” he said. “But seeing all of the people here makes it worthwhile.
“Honestly, it’s all about the people that we get to know and help throughout the year.”
After the ceremony at the King Power, students continued the celebrations at the After Party in the Campus Centre into the early hours of Saturday.
Meanwhile, Derrick Mensah, VP Student Activities at DSU, said: “Seeing everyone’s [student-submitted] pictures on the screens was a great touch, and seeing everyone on the dance floor celebrating the end of exams was really great.
“But I think the Summer Ball can be even bigger and even better in 2019.”
The International Society were honoured – if a little shocked – to be named as Cultural and Faith Group of the Year at our Summer Ball.
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