Lumen Spring Summer 2023 - Flipbook - Page 32
Letters to the editor
We invited readers of the winter
issue of Lumen to enter our
competition to win signed copies
of the memoir, Childhood, by
alum Shannon Burns.
It was at this point I decided to become a
history teacher, a career I followed both in
South Australia and England for 40 years.
BA 1967 (Majors in History & English)
conferred 1st May 1968.
Grad Dip Ed. 1968 conferred 1969
(when I was already teaching).
We asked for them to share with us, in 100
words or less, their fondest memory of their
time at the University of Adelaide.
We also offered entrants the chance to
update us on their graduation details, and
what they have been up to since then.
Many of them were kind enough to do so.
Thank you.
WINNER
For this issue, we have a new competition.
Ahead of the 150th anniversary of our
University, we are offering 10 lucky readers
the chance to win a $150 voucher for
University of Adelaide merchandise.
Details on page 34.
The Uni Bar in the mid-1980s. It’s
packed. I’m there with my mates from the
Philosophy Department for a Midnight Oil
concert. We’re all clutching plastic cups of
ice-cold beer. Every cell in my body is alive,
vibrating with the music.
As a very young History undergraduate in
the mid-1960s, sitting at the metaphorical
feet of Professor Hugh Stretton (19242015) in the recently completed Napier
1 Lecture Theatre, and being swept away
by both his erudition and systematic style
of presentation: lectures delivered in an
urbane, quiet voice completely without
notes, more of a confidential talk than
a lecture really; even his droll asides
were carefully structured and
supremely apposite.
32
THE UNIVERSITY OF ADELAIDE
The social life meant that weekends were
filled with sport and evening fun too.
I met my first husband at Christmas when
he kissed me under the mistletoe. It was a
privilege to be part of the campus.
Diploma of Music 1960, Bachelor of
Music 1975
Anikka Stewart
Susan Dwyer
Noel Schoff
My fondest memories are of attending
classes to learn new ideas and information.
The interaction with tutors, lecturers and
other students was exciting. To go home and
prepare assignments was productive.
The facilities such as the library, the
refectory, the grounds and North
Terrace position was an enjoyable place...
Thank you University of Adelaide.
Their letters, the winners, and photos they
provided adorn these pages.
WINNER
Alison Blackman
A first-generation student, I flunked out of
my first year at Adelaide in 1975. But I’m
back now and soon to get my BA (that will
lead to an Honours degree and a PhD).
I am giddy with joy and, finally, a deep
sense of belonging.
I earned a BA in Philosophy and Psychology
in 1985, and a BA Hons in Philosophy in
1986. In 1986, I was also awarded the Jeffries
Memorial Medal in Philosophy, was named
Caltex (S.A.) Woman graduate of the year,
and won a Fulbright travelling scholarship.
The latter made it possible for me to take up
the “full ride” offer from M.I.T to undertake
doctoral studies. Picked up the PhD in
1991. Since then, I have taught at McGill
University, Montreal, the United States Naval
Academy, Annapolis, Maryland, USA, and
the University of Maryland, where I remain a
tenured Professor of Philosophy.
Taking over the hub to protest the firing and
general unfair treatment of University staff.
Being involved in student activism made me
feel so powerful at a time in my life when
I had very little control. It was extremely
cathartic to yell about my issues with 80
other students about such an important
issue – the profound sense of community
and peer-to-peer understanding is one of
the things I miss the most about university.
Hadi Slayman
Locusts are nervous creatures with big
appetites. Usually solitary, they become
gregarious in response to certain stimuli;
twenty years ago at the University of
Adelaide, I was the same. As our group
snaked its way along a ridge of the Flinders
Ranges, the insects leapt through the air. I
closed my eyes and mouth; a wave of soft
thuds like microwave popcorn, every bump
spurring a bug to make new plans. The
rocky hills provided the best classroom for
geology students. We sketched the ancient
sea beds, thinking the swarm and our zeal to
wander was endless.
I graduated in 2002 with a B.Sc. (Hons.)
majoring in geology. I worked a number of
years in the energy sector, and I am currently
a Research Officer at the Parliament of
South Australia.
