A graduating student at the University of Cumbria named his daughter after one of the lecturers who inspired him. 

Valentine Eze works as a scrub nurse for the North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust and celebrated his graduation alongside his family from Nigeria at Carlisle Cathedral last week.

During his time studying in Cumbria, Valentine was one of many who benefitted from the kindness and wisdom of lecturer Jeanne Landon-Campbell.

Valentine celebrated the day with his familyValentine celebrated the day with his family (Image: Johnny Becker Photography)

Valentine now hopes his youngest daughter Munachim Zoe Jeanne will aspire to become a nurse as she grows up, and follow in the footsteps of her namesake.  

He said: "I was initially due to study an MA in Social Work with the University of Cumbria, however after a few conversations with a colleague at the hospital I was encouraged to try the MSc Nursing Pre-registration and I was interviewed for the course. 

"Jeanne not only started as our programme lead and lecturer, she was also my personal tutor. Now as a scrub nurse, I owe the journey so far to Jeanne's amazing mentorship and support.  

"Even after an unplanned family event, Jeanne was always there to provide mental and emotional support. I had to name my daughter after Jeanne because I want my daughter to grow up and be as an amazing nurse like Jeanne."

Eight students have completed the university’s two-year MSc (Pre-Registration) Adult and Mental Health Nursing programme.

Jeanne said: “Designing this programme is something that I had wanted to do for years and I’m delighted to see this first cohort graduate. They’ve come from all over to study in Cumbria, all from very different backgrounds and parts of the world – for example, one moved her family up for London for the duration of the course. They are now all in nursing roles, all very varied indeed.” 

Jeanne has worked in nursing for 44 yearsJeanne has worked in nursing for 44 years (Image: Johnny Becker Photography)

Jeanne’s career stretches 44 years and includes 12 years working as a children’s nurse at Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles. She later moved to the UK and delivered courses at Carlisle College before moving into tertiary education and to St Martin’s College, a legacy institution of today’s University of Cumbria.