Triple triumph for fast mover student from Cumbernauld

Former Condorrat resident Lorraine Starrs (50) who now lives in Blackwood will be recognised by many of our readers as the co-ordinator of North Lanarkshire Council’s Jog Scotland scheme but that is hardly her only area of expertise.

For super-motivated Lorraine not only gained a first classs BSc honours degree in Construction Management at Glasgow Caledonian University recently but has notched up a triple victory at the institution’s prize giving ceremony.

Lorraine wasn’t only named best student on the course, she also scooped the Chartered Institute of Building graduate prize and the Scottish Builders Contractors prize.

Hard-working Lorraine had been balancing her studies with her full time job at Glasgow Housing Association and family life.

And she had a timely reminder of the more domestic side of things as her 16-year-old son Calum also studies at GCU as part of his training to become a quantity surveyor.

In fact, the pair just couldn’t escape each other on campus.

Nor could former Greenfaulds High pupil Calum avoid his mum’s eagle eye.

Lorraine said: “I often sat behind Calum as we were taking dome of the same classes and the mother in me would think’why has he finished so early? He should be using these last minutes to check over and gain extra marks!’

She has nothing but praise for the university and her employers who helped her reach her goal.

Lorraine said: “The leadership and guidance I received from GCU and my employers was vital and helped me combine the demands of study with work and family life.

“I was promoted while completing the degree and the course aided that process,’’ she added.

Anyone who has thought about taking up jogging will have no excuse not to do so as this very dynamic lady looks set to make a comeback on the local fitness scene.

She said: “I did the course part time and as I work full time, I couldn’t work and keep the Jog Scotland programme going.

“Now I’ve completed the course, I will be able to start pounding Cumbernauld tarmac again!’’ she added.

Lorraine is not the only Cumbernauld woman to triumph at GCU after we reported that Cumbernauld Village woman Jade Ann McGhee (26) won the prestigious Moffat scholarship for tourism last month.

The university also has another Cumbernauld connection as Greenfaulds woman Professor Lesley Sawers is its vice principal.