Obituary: Lucy Solomon
Colleagues have paid tribute to Dr Lucy Solomon, Student Progress and Assessment Manager in the Academic Registry, who has died at the age of 48.
Tim May, Head of Student Systems and Records, describes Lucy as “gregarious with a larger-than-life personality”, and he adds: “She was intelligent and full of energy, she brought a sense of fun to work and was exceptionally capable.”
Lucy first came to Sussex as an undergraduate from 1997-2000, combining her studies with bringing up three young children. She stood out as a “lively and charismatic mature student”, recalls Rosa Weeks, now the School Administrator for Global Studies.
Even as a student Lucy was already working for the University (as a student helper in the Postgraduate Office); in the years after graduating she worked across campus in a variety of roles, combining “a natural flair for teaching with her equally strong talent for administrative tasks”, says Rosa.
Lucy was employed as an associate tutor in Sociology and Social Psychology, and from 2002-04 as a student advisor. Rosa recalls that she “counselled others in a kind, caring, down-to-earth manner”.
In 2001 Lucy had begun a part-time DPhil in Sociology under the supervision of Dr Ruth Woodfield. Her research interest was in widening participation to higher education and her thesis focused on the experiences and challenges of undergraduates from different demographic groups.
Lucy combined her doctoral studies with posts as a research assistant, and from 2006 she also worked for several years as a researcher at Kingston University alongside Professor Mary Stuart, who had previously been at Sussex.
Professor Stuart, now Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lincoln, says: “What a wonderful woman! Lucy made me laugh and kept me going at work when I sometimes felt like giving up.
“She worked with me on a range of student experience projects. I was really proud of all she did in this area.”
The two researchers’ two most recently completed projects were an evaluation of assessment practices across higher education and a project looking at the barriers to postgraduate studies for minority.
Professor Stuart adds: “Lucy was a real professional but was also just the best person to share a joke with.”
After completing her doctorate in 2012, Lucy worked as an Academic Administrator in the Academic Office, before taking up her most recent role in 2014.
Lucy’s two daughters, Sophie, 19, and 20-year-old Elhahe, both worked with her in the Academic Registry. Her son Billy, 25, has worked for Student Progress and Assessment (SPA) and Student Systems, and is currently studying for a molecular genetics MSc in Life Sciences.
Rosa says: “Lucy was an extremely intelligent and resourceful woman, a great mum and a fantastic friend.”
And Lucy’s colleague Colin Clark, Assistant Registrar in SPA, adds: “Lucy brightened our days, was passionate and accomplished in her study and teaching and was a model of good-natured determination. Smiley, warm, clever and irreverent, she was such a great person to spend time with and learn from.”
- Lucy died on 4 April after a long illness. All colleagues and friends are welcome at her funeral, which will take place in the Meeting House on Tuesday 21 April at 11am. The dress code is “colourful smart/casual”.