University celebrates first mother and son Sir Tom Cowie award winners

Published on 6, November, 2025

A lecturer and a student from the University of Sunderland have become the first mother and son recipients of a prestigious scholarship created to support local people in achieving their full potential.

Vicky Graham and Jake Judson are building careers in two very different worlds, but they have both been awarded the Sir Tom Cowie Sunderland Award.

The award was established in memory of the Wearside-born entrepreneur who died in 2012, aged 89. Sir Tom Cowie was a long-term supporter of the University and passionately believed in its principles of affording those with talent, regardless of background, the opportunity to enter higher education.

Vicky, 41, won her award in 2018 while studying in the final year of her Primary Education degree at the University in recognition of her potential as an educator. Vicky is now Associate Head of School for Professional Development and International Education at the University.

Vicky said: “At the time I received the award I was working long hours while studying for my undergraduate degree, and the scholarship allowed me to reduce my working hours and fully immerse myself in my studies. I had a young family then and found the financial support invaluable in helping me balance my home, work, and study commitments, which ultimately enabled me to succeed in my degree.

“But the award is more than just financial; it is prestigious and well-respected recognition that opened up opportunities for my academic achievements to be recognised more widely. The connections I made following the award led to invitations to speak at conferences and events and to share my research with the wider university community including SENCOs (Special Educational Needs Co-ordinators), School Mentors, and students. This, in turn, led to my further involvement in teaching and learning at the University and ultimately started my journey which led to the role I am in today.”

Before coming to the University, Vicky spent 15 years working in financial services, specialising in sales and mortgage and financial advice. It was her son Jake who initially inspired her to return to her studies.

Vicky said: “I decided to train as a teacher following Jake’s diagnosis with autism, driven by a desire to better understand his needs and the wider landscape of SEND (Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities) provision in the UK.

“Jake had a tough time through much of his school years, never quite fitting into the conventional mould of what a “good” or “well-behaved” student is expected to be. As a result, he faced many setbacks, and I often worried that he might not make it to university or find a career that suited his skills and strengths. For his future, I want him to be happy and safe, and to have the rewarding career he’s working so hard towards. He has fantastic drive and ambition, and I’d love to see him build on the skills and knowledge from his degree to move into industry and truly embrace the music scene in Sunderland.”

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Jake is showing some of that potential now, as a recipient of the 2025 Sir Tom Cowie Sunderland Award.

Jake, 20, is studying Modern Music Industries with NAME (the Northern Academy of Music Education) run by the University. Jake’s dream is to one day own and run his own music venue, and after graduation has ambitious plans to run gigs and festivals in the local area.

Jake said: “The Sir Tom Cowie Charitable Trust does fantastic work with young people in the north-east, including supporting music and the arts. I feel very fortunate that this initiative was available to me and I am delighted to be a small part of Sir Tom's legacy.”

Vicky’s advice to Jake?

“Work hard, take every opportunity that is presented to you and focus on doing the very best you can do. Keep being wonderfully unique and show the world what you are made of.”

Vicky also has this advice for any student who may be thinking of applying for Tom Cowie Sunderland Award: “Don’t assume you’re not the right fit for the award. Jake and I couldn’t be more different and will take very different paths in life, but success isn’t measured by being the same.

“If you meet the criteria, apply. It’s a legacy we’re incredibly fortunate to have, and the beauty of the University of Sunderland and the values Sir Tom held, is that we celebrate individuality, potential, and the diverse journeys that lead to success.”

The Sir Tom Cowie Sunderland Award is now open to applications from full-time undergraduates at the University of Sunderland studying either Arts, Business, Education, Engineering or Music programmes, who are at the end of their penultimate year (second year for standard programmes or third year for four-year programmes) of their studies. You must be from the City of Sunderland in order to apply.

For more information, click here. 

To find out more about the support available at the University of Sunderland for parents and supporters of prospective students, click here.