Masters graduate Jordan Richards very nearly did not come to Lancaster University at all. Five years on, he is still here and has put his own stamp on student life.

The 23-year-old was a late applicant at Lancaster, having seen his hopes of studying medicine pushed aside. Instead, past the application deadline, he changed to become a Maths student, and now he has been awarded an MRes in Statistics and Operational Research.

It has been an eventful half-decade for Jordan, who is now working on a PhD in Statistics and Operational Research – as part of the STOR-i CDT programme – alongside the Met Office, looking at global climate change to help predict extreme weather events on a more regional scale.

As well as his extensive studies, he served on the Cartmel JCR and the Postgraduate Board, has taken part in Maths Outreach programmes with local schools, worked as a tutor for GSCE and A-Level students – and has become known for an obsession with owls.

All this after a late decision to move away from his home in the small Lincolnshire village of Billinghay and study at Lancaster very late in the day.

“I essentially didn’t know I was going to university,” said Jordan. “I applied very, very late, and I picked Lancaster. I thought I would come and see what it was like – five years later, I’m still here. That’s a nice story to tell students and parents when I help out on open days – it shows that this is a good place to come.

“I chose maths because I enjoy it, but I had never thought about it as a career path – I’ve changed my mind on that now. I’m very glad I did it and I’m so happy to be here.”

Jordan is particularly proud of the work he has done as a maths tutor, as well as helping develop software programmes for the same company to help teach primary and secondary school children.

He said: “Many of the students I tutored went on to get really high grades and entrance into top universities. Even though teaching isn't something I would consider in the future, it's quite humbling seeing my work being used to teach younger students as well, and I'm certain that opportunity would never have come up if I hadn't come to Lancaster.”

As a PhD student, Jordan is able to see the work he has done on the PG Board – where he served as treasurer, but also carried out many other roles – continued by his successors in Graduate College. He was among the team who introduced a Christmas ball; played a key role in the end-of-year celebration day; and brought a local raptor sanctuary to campus for an educational event.

“It’s quite difficult to get students involved with the PG Board,” he said. “A lot of students are only here for one year and don’t get involved, so a lot of people who are part of it are returning students or PhD students.

“The part I enjoyed most were the charity events – I got a rescue centre for birds who came onto campus a couple of educational visits. We were trying to decide what students really like – and students like animals! There are always guide-dog events on campus and the like, and I thought about what else we could do – owls! I think owls are adorable – all my family are terrified of birds, but I love them, and I’ve got a reputation now as someone who is obsessed with birds.

“A lot of students don’t want to get involved with things like the JCR and the PG Board. But I don’t think they understand the opportunities you get by being involved. A lot of people come to university just for the degree, but I wanted to have a sense of responsibility doing things, and have a role in choosing some of the events that go on. Putting your stamp on something at the university is a nice thing to do.”