Lee books in to launch the Jack Reacher Scholarships
INTERNATIONALLY renowned crime writer Lee Child came up with a thrilling evening at one of Sheffield's foremost real ale pubs.
Glasses were raised at the Fat Cat in Kelham Island as the former Sheffield University graduate launched the Jack Reacher Scholarships, named after his most famous character.
Lee, whose books are now so popular that one is sold every second, is giving 52 students 2,000 each to help them through their studies.
He met the recipients at a reception at the Fat Cat – and to celebrate the occasion, the pub brewed a Jack Reacher ale, which he is taking home to New York.
The 54-year-old writer, born Jim Grant, studied law at the University of Sheffield in the mid-Seventies, is a visiting professor and returned to be presented with an honorary degree. In addition his brother Andrew Grant, also a crime writer, was awarded a degree.
The evening at the Fat Cat gave him the chance to chat informally with the 25 undergraduates and 27 postgraduates receiving the Jack Reacher scholarships, named after the fictional retired American military policeman.
The scholarships were awarded to talented students from each of the university's five faculties to provide them with financial assistance during their studies.
Lee Child said: "I was very happy to help out – my generation went to university for free and I believe in giving something back.
"It's upsetting to see bright and dedicated students contemplate giving up their studies because of financial pressures. Just like my literary character Jack Reacher, if I see things that are wrong, I want to put them right."
Prof Dominic Shellard, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for External Affairs, described it as an incredibly generous donation.
"Lee was able to meet some of the students who will be benefiting from the new Jack Reacher scholarships and it was great to witness first hand what a positive impact this financial support will have on their education and future careers.
"It is also fantastic to see one of our very own students, who has gone on to achieve great things himself, give something back to his former university to help current students."
The pub venue was chosen as a result of him meeting Fat Cat and Kelham Island Brewery owner Dave Wickett through the university's alumni association.
"He said he would love to have a couple of hours chatting with the students, so we had a reception in the Fat Cat and we brewed a beer named after Jack Reacher," said Dave.
"He had half an hour looking around the brewery and we talked about the beer. He was absolutely thrilled by the whole thing. It was a fabulous evening."
The beer is mid-strength and slighty dark – an "American red ale" – and is now on draught at the Alma Street pub. "He asked for a certain type of beer," said Dave. "He said: 'make it punchy'. He loved it."
The informal occasion brought out stories about Lee's Sheffield days, including the time he went back to his former bedsit in Crookes. "He was staggered when he went into his old room and there were the book shelves that he put up more than 30 years ago…
"He also told a story of the early days in America when he giving a talk in a hotel and slipped out the back for a cigarette. He had just lit up when a guy joined him and asked 'Have you got a spare one?' It was Barack Obama."
Another Sheffield University graduate and VIP at the Fat Cat was the President of the Commonwealth of Dominica Dr Nicholas Liverpool, who also received an honorary degree earlier in the day.
He acquired a taste for real ale while studying in the city. "He wanted to buy some bottles and beer glasses to take home," said Dave. "He was charming."
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Saturday 04 February 2012
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