Lumen Autumn 2024 - Flipbook - Page 18
Letters
to the
Editor
In praise of Lumen
The latest Lumen issue celebrates all that is
wonderful in the achievements and vision of
our special place of learning and, as always,
it has been a joy to read.
The stories and photographs are
beautifully presented and so interesting.
My admiration extends to the “sustainability
statements” and compostable cover!
Thank you for the care and excellence you
bring to your readers. I very much look
forward to receiving the next edition in
the mail.
Sharon Tilsley BA 1976, Dip Ed 1977
Compound problem
Have your say! Letters to the
Editor are most welcome –
email lumen@adelaide.edu.au
Lumen is your magazine. Please let us
know what you think of this issue, and
what you’d like to read more about.
And don’t forget to enter our contest to
win great 150th celebration prizes!
“New language” article introducing the use
of the word alum.
As a female chemistry and biology graduate
of the University of Adelaide, I would like
to be addressed as ‘alumna’. As you know,
in chemistry, ‘alum’ means ‘a colourless,
called this. Why not let graduates choose
I’ve just read the story of CODAN in the
Spring/Summer 2023 edition.
I am a graduate of the University of
Adelaide whose work with World Vision
led me to Rwanda in 1997. In my early
days there I was allocated a vehicle that did
not have a CODAN radio, so every time I,
or my Rwandan team, needed to go out of
town we had to swap vehicles and driver
with a department whose vehicle
was CODAN equipped.
We invited readers of our Spring/
Summer issue of Lumen to tell us how
studying at the University of Adelaide
helped change their lives – what impact
we had on their history.
Here we present some excerpts from
their warm and delightful responses,
name the winners of the prizes (10
gift vouchers for $150 of University of
Adelaide merchandise), and the photos
some kindly provided.
We have a new contest this time
around – there’s special University
of Adelaide 150th Celebration
merchandise to be won! Details on
page 21.
Response to Lumen Spring/Summer issue –
astringent compound’. I prefer not to be
Remembering Rwanda
Contest entries
their preferred term, if they do not identify
as ‘male’ or ‘female’, they can select the
term ‘alum’?
Dr Rita Fedel-Moen PhD
(Chemical Sciences) 2003
Dr Martin Andrew
Martin Andrew, provided this magnificent
shot from his time at University, noting he
was at various times President of the
Science Association, Chair of the Clubs
& Societies Council and on the
Union Council.
“This is a photo of me dressed as Aunty
Jack, confronting Norman Gunston on
the Barr Smith lawns about 1974. Aunty
Jack was my party trick. I also gazumped
Grahame Bond – the real Aunty Jack – who
was honoured guest at a prosh breakfast by
arriving half an hour early and assuming his
place at the head table!”
PhD (Sc) 1979
As things were dicey in those days, I
had to discuss an ambush strategy with
each new driver, most of them seemingly
unaware of the danger we might encounter.
Some months later my departmental
Landcruiser was fitted, and we could
work much more efficiently.
Having the CODAN was a real steadier
for us - as it gave reliable and instant
connection with base in Kigali. Safe
operation of our vehicle opened
avenues of contact and service that
contributed to assisting hundreds of
traumatised Rwandans. I tell some of
these stories in my book: From Genocide
to Generosity. Thanks to Jim, Ian and
Alistair (and the University).
John Steward PhD (Ag Sc) 1972
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