What is the Geneva Guerrieri Award?
When we gathered for the 2018 Mike Warne Event at Bournemouth University, the day before the famous Beast from the East arrived, little could we have imagined that one of the main contributors to that evenings success, would be graduating posthumously before the end of the year.
Geneva was very popular and was an exemplary student during her time at Bournemouth University (2014-18), taking on many student ambassador and representative roles. Geneva was also heavily involved with the CIM. Geneva successfully achieved three CIM professional qualifications at Foundation, Certificate and Diploma levels as an undergraduate, the first student to do this at the University. In addition as touched upon above, Geneva was a key member of the student team that organised our nationally important Mike Warne Event in February 2018.
However, we were universally shocked and saddened to learn that Geneva had sadly passed in October 2018. The moment of her posthumous graduation was a poignant occasion and the reaction of all of those present, was both fitting and moving. It was on this day that the idea of a fitting tribute was first muted and in the ensuing weeks, started to gain traction. It was possibly a moment of pure serendipity, when Mrs Sue Guerrieri, gave her wholehearted approval to the award being dedicated to her daughter, on the same day as the 2019 Mike Warne Event. The moment of its announcement at the event, was both moving and welcome in equal measure. Mrs Guerrieri said on behalf of the family, that she is ‘overwhelmed and honoured’ to have her daughter’s memory recognised with this award and we at the CIM were honoured to be allowed to a part of this.
In November 2019 the first award dedicated to Geneva, was presented to Ettie Greenwood at the BU Graduation Ceremony at the BIC. This is presented to the top student on the BA (Hons) Marketing Communications degree at the University and we are really excited that this year’s recipient Annamaria, will receive her award in March.