HIGH flying student Lee Whittington is the first University of Hertfordshire graduate to be awarded the Jarvis Group Centenary Scholarship. Lee s life an as undergraduate was made considerably easier as he was given �2,000 a year for his studies. He won t

HIGH flying student Lee Whittington is the first University of Hertfordshire graduate to be awarded the Jarvis Group Centenary Scholarship.

Lee's life an as undergraduate was made considerably easier as he was given �2,000 a year for his studies.

He won the scholarship as the highest performing student from the Harpenden area and lived up to his early promise by graduating recently with first class honours.

The Harpenden-based building firm Jarvis set up the scholarship fund at the university in 2005 to celebrate 100 years in business.

The endowment means that Lee received �6,000 during his three-year degree.

Lee, 22, of Greatfield Close, Harpenden, said: "The money certainly made things easier as it's a big issue for students. The additional funding relieved the financial pressures which I knew I was going to face. It meant I could spend more time on my studies.

"I am very grateful for the award I have received, it is a fantastic opportunity and I tried my hardest to make the most of it."

Lee was also President of the Philosophy Society at the University and contributed to the internal student newspaper Universe while he was studying.

Jeffrey Hollis, Jarvis' Director of marketing, said: "As a building group, Jarvis has always supported the local community and public sectors, including education, where we continue to play an active role by either maintaining or building new premises for their use.

"We are therefore pleased to be involved with the university in playing an important role in attracting future students."

Lee is currently studying for his Masters in Philosophy at the University of Hertfordshire and said: "I'm still really enjoying the subject even at this level where the structure and expectations are more intense.

"With all the support which is available to me through my university, I hope to graduate with a first in my postgraduate degree.