Graduate Profile - Geoff Price (Modern and Popular History)

Geoff Price had worked for 42 years in accountancy before taking a life changing step – and enrolling at University at the age of 60.

He said: “I thought I’d retired from full-time employment and felt that I needed a new challenge. Both of my sons had been to university but I left school at 18 and started a career in accountancy, which I thoroughly enjoyed, but I had always wondered if I could have achieved a degree if the course of my life had been different.”

Geoff, who was widowed in 2001, enrolled on a Step Up To HE course at Staffordshire University before enrolling on the BA(Hons) Modern and Popular History course. “I met the most amazing people from all walks of life.” said Geoff who also found time to return to work part-time as an accountant for Railtrail Tours Ltd in Leek. “I just love the University, and I am extremely grateful for the support and enthusiasm displayed by all of the staff in the History group.”

Indeed Geoff found University had more to offer than an education – since he met and married second wife Sue. He added: “Sue and I met on the Step Up to HE course and that in itself has opened up a new life for me.”

“I intend to do everything that I can to put the degree to good use and would particularly like to be involved in research into the history of the North Staffordshire area”, added Geoff, who was awarded the Webberley History Prize for outstanding achievement.