Donor Story: Roger Clayton-Pearce

A university degree is more than just the job it will get you; it’s the skills it teaches you, the friends you make, and the memories that stay with you. That’s what one of Warwick’s earliest graduates tells us.

Roger (BA History and Politics, 1969) began his studies in 1966 as part of the University’s second ever cohort. His Warwick experience, not only as a graduate, but also as a volunteer, has inspired him to support future generations of students.

Roger’s time at Warwick marked a turning point in how he saw the world. Unlike the conventional grammar school he attended in London, where learning was largely about memorising facts, Warwick encouraged him to think critically and understand the reasons behind what he was studying.

“I was studying History and Politics and loved having access to a library that offered far more than I had encountered before.”

Roger’s career since graduating has included administrative roles in the Civil Service, where he worked in Prison Industries, and at the Diocese of London as Pastoral and Redundant Churches Secretary, supporting pastoral reorganisation and the management of church buildings. He later worked for a firm of solicitors that provided registry services for several dioceses. After retiring, he devoted several years to voluntary work for his local church and local museum.

“Although none of my employment required a degree, the analytical skills I developed at Warwick have been invaluable, both in my work and voluntary roles. I deplore the view that a degree is valuable only if it leads to financial gain. People who have been taught to think can make meaningful contributions to their communities, whether through religious, social, or sports organisations – or even at the pub!”

After graduating, Roger wanted to give back to a community that had played a pivotal role in his personal development. Following the first formal alumni reunion in 1987, he joined the Warwick Graduates’ Association (WGA) committee, now the Development and Alumni Team, which organises events for alumni and reconnects alumni with fellow former students.

“Staying involved with Warwick gave me the chance to help other alumni remember what their Warwick experience meant to them. It’s also been wonderful attending reunions for my year and catching up with people I still recognise – and, thankfully, some who still recognise me!”

Over time, Roger’s connection to Warwick took on a philanthropic dimension, and he has now been supporting our scholarship programmes for over 20 years.

“I began contributing to scholarships for students who would not otherwise be able to go to university. I was lucky to be part of a generation whose fees and maintenance grants were covered by local authorities. Without that support, I wouldn’t have had the benefit of my time at Warwick. I hope my support can give others the same opportunities I had.”

As Roger looks ahead, he’s considering leaving a gift to Warwick in his will as a way to continue supporting students long into the future.

“If I could speak to anyone who has benefited from alumni giving, I’d simply ask that, when they are able, they help future generations enjoy the benefits of a Warwick education. I would also encourage others who, like me, benefited from financial support provided by local authorities, to consider helping today’s students. While I can’t increase my current giving, I still want to contribute through whatever may be left in my estate – which is why I’ve asked for more information about leaving a gift in my will.”

Support, like Roger's, is truly appreciated by the University, but more importantly by those who feel that support to the full. This includes young people like Keeley, a Politics, Philosophy, and Law student and Warwick Scholar.

Keeley says:

“My scholarship is the reason I can be at Warwick, and my gratitude for that will last forever. To anyone who’s made a donation, big or small, the impact is huge, and it’s hard to find the right words to express my gratitude. ‘Thank you’ doesn’t quite feel like enough.”

Like Roger, you have the power to shape the future.
Your support could open doors to higher education for the next generation of students, helping them excel in their studies. Your legacy could supercharge research into society’s greatest challenges – such as dementia and cancer – enrich the arts and create a more sustainable world for generations to come.