Lumen Spring 2021 - Flipbook - Page 44
“I have become more driven but also more relaxed,
swapping long working hours for quality time
studying and a multitude of other opportunities
provided by the University. Receiving this
scholarship was a wonderful surprise,” Carla said.
The inaugural Raymond McMillan High Achiever
Scholarship was awarded to Gleb Lebedev, a school
leaver from Paradise. Despite not being able to
afford textbooks or a graphing calculator, Gleb was
awarded dux of his school and STEM student of the
year.
“Raymond McMillan's legacy has had an uplifting
effect on me and my studies. It has elevated my drive
and passion towards academia and removed financial
limitations from my personal development,” Gleb said.
Becoming the inaugural STEM Teacher in
Residence Program Coordinator has been an
exciting opportunity for Michelle McLeod.
With development and planning underway, leading
to an official launch in October, the program focuses
on strengthening STEM engagement through
“My father would be proud to see how his company
is encouraging and supporting others like him.
Many academically gifted students need additional
support to succeed in their studies, just as he did.”
Lee-Ann is also Director of McMillan
Constructions, the family business Ray started
with just £800. Initially borrowing equipment
from family and friends, he reinvested the profits
until he transformed the company into a booming
construction business, working on projects such as
the Port Pirie Silos, the Glenelg Ferry Terminal, the
Art Gallery of South Australia, the Adelaide Oval
Grandstand, and even the University’s own
Braggs Building.
Following Ray’s death in 2019, McMillan
Constructions made one of the largest single gifts
from a private company in the University’s history.
The $4.55 million donation will support two new
Civil Engineering scholarships and a new STEM
Teacher in Residence Program.
“My father would be proud to see how his company
is encouraging and supporting others like him. Many
academically gifted students need additional support
to succeed in their studies, just as he did,” said
Lee-Ann.
Living independently with no financial support from
family, receiving the inaugural Raymond McMillan
Civil Engineering scholarship has alleviated Carla
Gore of financial distress.
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THE UNIVERSITY OF ADELAIDE
outreach events, building teaching resources and
learning activities, collaborating with secondary
schools, and promoting the diverse range of
STEM-related study and career pathways, research,
innovations and industries.
Michelle has taken leave from her position at
Immanuel College for a two-year secondment to take
up this new challenge.
“If you told me I could write my own job
description, this would have to be it. What an
amazing opportunity! The chance to inspire young
people to see what they have never seen before – to
capture their imaginations and help them understand
what a STEM career can be to them, and what it can
offer to their life journeys,” said Michelle.
“It is incredibly generous of McMillan
Constructions to continue Ray’s legacy in such a
tangible, meaningful way.”
To find out more about leaving a lasting gift see:
adelaide.edu.au/give
