Superstar
S u s a n
attends
student
voice class
International superstar and QMU
honorary graduate Susan Boyle
toured the university campus
in November and took the
opportunity to meet staff and
students.
Susan, who is an enthusiastic
supporter of the University, was
keen to find out more about the
University’s work in the performing
arts. She visited the costume
design and construction studio,
attended a voice class for Acting
for Stage and Screen students
and saw Drama and Performance
students rehearse in the on-
campus studio. ❒
6
From the Olympics to the Commonwealth
Games, it’s all been happening at QMU
It seems like the University has turned
into a VIP drop-in over the last few
months with some of the world’s highest
profile event organisers flying in from
all over the world just to talk to QMU
students.
Event management students have been
particularly spoiled for choice having had
the opportunity to learn from an Olympic
transport specialist, the producer of the
Super Bowl, and the director of the company
tasked with producing the opening and
closing ceremonies of the Commonwealth
Games 2014.
Thanks to Professor Joe Goldblatt, Director
of QMU’s International Centre for the Study
of Planned Events, event management
students have been lapping up stories of the
London Olympics and the recent UK and US
Super Bowl events, as well as hearing about
plans and volunteering opportunities for the
Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2014.
QMYOU / Welcoming special guests
After hearing that he had worked 20 hours
a day, every day for four weeks straight,
students were surprised that Arnold Guanco,
Olympic transport expert, could still stand
up, never mind discuss the complexities
of the London Olympics transport system.
Arnold, who has worked at many Olympics
but was most recently deputy bus system
manager at the London Olympics, talked to
students about the systems that were put in
place to ensure the smooth running of this
huge event. With many years of experience
in global sporting events, Arnold was also
able to highlight lessons learned in previous
events which, if considered by Glasgow event
managers, could help to ensure a successful
Commonwealth Games in 2014.
Frank Supovitz, Senior Vice President of
Events at the US National Football League
(NFL), came directly from Wembley, London