An image of Vicky Wright, a GCU alumna and a Scottish curler, holding her Olympic Gold medal in her graduation robes.

Vicky Wright MBE

BA (Hons) Nursing Studies

Olympic Gold Medallist and NHS staff nurse

Aside from her meaningful career in nursing, Vicky Wright MBE has enjoyed sporting success winning Britain’s only gold medal as part of the women’s curling team at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics.

Sport has always been one of her passions. She started curling aged 12, played golf, and competed in swimming until she was 16.

Accessing sports facilities was an important factor when the time came to choose a university and finding out that our teaching staff would encourage sports activities helped her choose GCU.

Overcoming adversity

She balanced her international curling commitments with her career as a nurse in the National Health Service (NHS), working on the frontline during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Vicki said: “Balancing the demands of competing as an elite athlete and working in a busy surgical ward is tough, but I harnessed the skills I gained during my time at GCU, which continue to support me in life.”

The Olympic medallist received an MBE for services to curling in Queen Elizabeth II's Birthday Honours.

She also received a Doctor of Science (DSc) from GCU for her outstanding contribution to public wellbeing through her work at the front line of nursing and her recent success in the Olympic Games.

Glasgow Caledonian University played such an important role in my life and my career. The skills I learned while studying my nursing degree gave me the platform to work in an industry that offers so much to the many.