Teesside University graduate Rebecca Cosgrove is the first recipient of the Dennis McGouran prize, set up in his memory by son and daughter Hugh McGouran and Shelagh Bourke.
Hugh and Shelagh hope the annual prize will inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs by awarding £1,000 each year to a student graduating from a business and enterprise related course. Dennis, who passed away in 2001, was a well-known Middlesbrough entrepreneur, setting up a wholesale firm at Cannon Park which grew into a national business.
Hugh, Chief Executive of Tees Valley Community Foundation, said: 'Dad was born in Percy Street, just a few streets from the University. He always had an eye for business and the latest thing. He was one of the first people to start a franchise, setting up his business from scratch.
'Dad was really into giving something back and mentored a lot of people and we just thought it would a good thing to do, to help someone else just embarking on their career.'
Hugh was himself a mature student, enrolling at Teesside University when he was 32 to study Public Administration. He graduated in 2007.
Shelagh, who runs her own arts marketing company, added: 'Mum and dad met through amateur dramatics and dad was a great dancer. It’s serendipity that Rebecca has won this prize, as although she’s studied business she’s also really interested in dance.'
BA (Hons) Business Management graduate Rebecca, 23, from Normanby, said: 'I'm really very proud to receive this prize.
'I loved my time at Teesside University, I really enjoyed the course and being able to work on placement in industry within the accounts department at Darchem Engineering really helped me make up mind about going into accountancy.'
She added: 'I feel very proud and privileged to be the first student to receive the award and that my sheer hard work and determination has been recognised. "It was great to find out Dennis was a keen dancer as I am a qualified dance teacher and had previously danced for 17 years at Dancewise Performing Arts where I am still involved.'
If you would like to dedicate a Teesside University graduation prize in memory of someone you love, contact Alex Robertson a.robertson@tees.ac.uk