Thursday 20 December, 2007

Jessica Ryan graduated with a Bachelor of Education (Honours) on Thursday morning and was joined by her partner, Ben Withers, who is a Student Representative with UOW¹s UniAdvice and Treasurer of the Mechanical Engineering Society.

Indigenous graduate, Jacob Trindorfer, received a Bachelor of Education at the Thursday morning ceremony. It has been a tough road for the Woolyungah graduate who lost his mother to breast cancer while at UOW and considered giving up his studies. However, with the support of his family and friends, he continued and completed his degree in Physical and Health Education. Jacob is currently working in Shoalhaven Hospital¹s mentoring program and hopes to find work at a local school. Jacob is pictured with his younger brother, Jardine, and his partner, Mardi Grundy.

Former Dean of Education, Professor Barry Harper, returned to campus on Thursday morning to be admitted as an Emeritus Professor of the University during the Faculty of Education graduation ceremony. He also presented the Occasional Address. Professor Harper is pictured with the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Gerard Sutton.

It was a double honour for Laura Perry and her fiancé, Trevor Horrell, at the Thursday afternoon graduation ceremony. Laura received a Bachelor of Teaching with Distinction and Trevor graduated with his third UOW degree at the age of 24 - a Master of Education in Educational Leadership. The couple took slightly alternative paths to enter university ­ Laura topped her early childhood TAFE class and Trevor¹s work ethic compensated for his age in order for him to gain acceptance to UOW.

Colleagues and friends from UOW¹s Centre for Educational Development and Interactive Resources (CEDIR), Sandra Humphrey (left in gown) and Amanda Vallario (right in gown), both attended Thursday afternoon¹s graduation ceremony to each receive a Master of Arts (Sandra with Distinction). They were joined by another CEDIR colleague, Hazel Jones (centre), who also graduated this year with a similar degree from the University of Southern Queensland. Director of CEDIR, Professor Sandra Wills (far left), and supervisor to the two graduates, Sarah Lambert, were also on hand to celebrate the occasion.

The Occasional Address on Thursday afternoon was delivered by Regional Director Illawarra and South East with the NSW Department of Education and Training, Mr Graeham Kennedy. Mr Kennedy commenced his career as a science and mathematics teacher in 1975. His last school appointment was as Principal at Blayney High School. In 1995 he was appointed as Director of Schools to Camden Cluster. He was subsequently appointed as District Superintendent to Campbelltown District in South Western Sydney. In 2000, Mr Kennedy was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to study vocational education in the USA. He is pictured with the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Gerard Sutton.