Two GCU Engineering students are presented with prestigious Hammerman Award for outstanding coursework

Two GCU Engineering students have been selected to receive a grant from an established engineering charity, after being nominated for their excellent coursework.

Mechanical Engineering students Callum Cotter and Thomas Molony were presented with the Hammerman Award; an annual prize presented by The Incorporation of Hammerman of Glasgow.

The Incorporation of Hammermen of Glasgow is a charity based on engineering trades founded in 1536, supporting pensioners and students in engineering courses in the west of Scotland.

Each year, The Incorporation of Hammermen presents 24 Hammermen awards of £300 to engineering students in the four colleges and universities within the greater Glasgow area.

Upon hearing about the award, Callum and Thomas decided to apply and were surprised to find that they were chosen as the Glasgow Caledonian University winners.

If that wasn’t already enough, the students were also given the news that they were nominated for the Prince Philip Prize – a prize awarded to the best university and college student for their outstanding work.

Callum was delighted to have been presented with the Hammerman Award, and will put the prize money towards studying material for his final year. He said: “I’m very happy I was awarded the Hammermen prize as I think it will look great to employers. Being shortlisted for the Prince Philip Prize is also a great feeling which will also help me stand out when I graduate.

I would definitely recommend applying towards the award to other students, it’s very easy to complete and what student doesn’t want extra money?”

Thomas told us about the process behind the application. He said: “The award process begins with filling out a Hammermen application form, where you will briefly discuss who you are, what you've done and how you intend to give back via any award money you may receive if successful.  

Should an applicant get through this stage of the process, they will win the Hammermen Award and will then be considered for the more prestigious Prince Philip Prize. Those considered will then have a chance to undertake a short interview with members of the Hammermen Incorporation, who will then select a single College and University Prince Philip Prize winner.”

He added: “Those who win the Hammermen Award are then invited to an award ceremony at the beautiful Trades House. Recipients of the Prince Phillip prize get invited to attend both the ceremony and a separate dinner.”

Thomas is very familiar with the process, after receiving the Hammerman Award in 2021 for his excellent college project focused on creating a sustainable computer mouse design.

Thomas’s work was also considered for the Prince Philip award last year, and has now found himself being considered for this year’s prize as well. He said: “Having won both awards previously I must say that the feeling is very much the same, being selected for the Hammermen Award is a massive honour and a substantial self-confidence boost that few other avenues can create.

Even being considered for the Prince Phillip Prize again is quite the achievement and has further boosted my self-confidence as an engineer. The feeling of winning any of those awards is something I will truly never forget, having never won or aspired to any awards previously. It has changed my outlook on both my ambitions and my potential.

Understanding the true benefits of the awards, Thomas explained how the prize money has helped him develop projects outwith his programme. He said: “Having been selected for the award, the main benefit will be the boost in confidence I have been afforded.

That, along with a portion of the previous award money, has allowed me to begin undertaking a substantially complex engineering project with my own team and funding (featured on my LinkedIn). It has also allowed me to consider applying to non-mandatory University activities that I otherwise wouldn't have the confidence to apply myself to, such as the GCU Racing Formula Team.”

Thomas has witnessed the benefits that the awards can bring and would strongly recommend that other students consider applying as well. He said: “The Hammermen and Prince Philip Prize has massively changed my life over the past year. It is undoubtedly one of the best decisions I have ever made and I imagine I will cherish the memory of both the process and benefits for the rest of my life.

Anyone who has something to show, or any examples of achievement in the face of adversity and wants to give back to the community should take the time to apply. It is an absolutely fantastic opportunity that should not be passed up.”

Find out more about the Hammerman Award and Prince Philip Prize on their website

By Rachael McAlonan

Got a SCEBE or GSBS story? Email me at Rachael.McAlonan@gcu.ac.uk or connect with me on social media