Institution news
Tom O’Sullivan won the Student in a Million 2014 Inner Strength award, but his illness meant he was unable to attend the prize-giving event on 1 September. His father, John, and sister, Ellen, attended the ceremony.
Ellen collected Tom’s award on his behalf and Tom was able to receive the prize at home before he passed away on Thursday 11 September.
Student in a Million awards are given to a small number of people in higher education. Nominees and winners show great commitment to their studies despite adversity, or help others progress in education. The scheme is run by The Student Room. The awards event was held in Brighton.
Tom excelled in his A-level and university studies in the face of the most severe medical challenges. He was found to have a brain tumour at the age of 18. At 19, he was told his tumour was cancerous and terminal. As well as the cancer, Tom suffered from severe hearing impairment, which meant he needed a note-taker and special hearing system during lectures.
Tom’s cancer was diagnosed in March 2010, just before his final A-level exams. Despite two brain operations during the revision period, Tom showed amazing determination to take all his exams and he achieved outstanding A-level grades: Physics A*, Chemistry A* and Maths A. These grades enabled Tom to gain a place in Mechanical Engineering at Bristol in October 2010.
As he began his undergraduate studies, the tumour caused Tom to suffer double vision, for which he wore special glasses. In January 2011, Tom commenced six weeks of radiotherapy at Royal Marsden Hospital in London. Despite many side effects, he attempted to resume his studies at Bristol in April 2011.
But the following month, Tom was advised that his cancer was terminal. He left the university, not expecting to return. However, after a year out for chemotherapy treatment, in October 2012 Tom returned to Bristol to resume his studies and passed his first year, despite further progression of the tumour.
As his second year commenced, in October 2013, Tom started a new regime of chemotherapy. He had six cycles of intensive treatment throughout his second year of studies the year, with serious side-effects. Despite the severity of the symptoms, of the chemo treatment and tumour, Tom battled with incredible determination to get through the second year.
Stuart Burgess BSc PhD (Brun) CEng FIMechE, Professor of Engineering Design and Senior Tutor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, said: “Tom’s academic work at Bristol was outstanding. During his second year, Tom was awarded a first class mark for the design of the front suspension of a car. This design was one of the very best out of 152 students on the course, despite Tom undergoing the most debilitating chemotherapy.”
“Tom’s exceptional bravery has motivated many other students to be more mature and appreciative of their time at university. Tom’s incredible determination has been a source of inspiration to students and staff alike and it was a great privilege to teach him.”
John O’Sullivan, Tom’s father, said: “Being a student at Bristol meant the world to Tom, he loved his time there. It made him normal, part of a peer group, and it allowed him to flourish and to meet some wonderful young people who became great friends at a difficult time. He also enjoyed wonderful support from within the Faculty of Engineering.”