Lumen Summer 2016 - Flipbook - Page 29
story by Genevieve Sanchez
Workplace giving makes a
difference for disadvantaged students
By making donations to the sta昀昀 workplace giving program through
her salary each fortnight, University of Adelaide soil biologist Petra Marschner
is helping bright students ful昀椀l their dream of studying at university.
P
etra started at the University in
2001 as a lecturer, and her role
involves research, supervising
postgraduate students and administration.
“I enjoy coming to work every morning
because my work is so varied – every day
is a bit different,” says Petra.
“I love discussing experimental
designs and results with my students
– every experiment answers some
questions, but also opens up new
questions to be followed up.”
While she enjoys the challenge of
solving scientific problems, Petra also
finds great satisfaction in interacting
with her students and watching them
become scientists who think critically
and constructively.
Petra says that she was fortunate to
have received a good education and
knows how important this is for young
people – not only to learn but also to
become more confident and independent.
“Unfortunately, many bright young
people will not develop to their full
potential because they can’t afford a
good education,” she says.
Petra supports various charities
that provide education to young children
who would otherwise struggle to attend
school or would not excel because of
their circumstances.
“When I learned that through staff
workplace giving I could directly help
bright students fulfil their dream of
studying at the University of Adelaide,
I knew that this was an area I wanted
to support.”
Petra has requested that her donations
be directed towards the Augustus Short
Scholarships which support students
who might face financial barriers
preventing them from accessing a
university education.
“As a teacher and supervisor, I can
help students to learn but I can’t help
them financially. I know that many of
them struggle with their studies
because they have to work to support
themselves,” says Petra.
“By donating part of my salary to the
Augustus Short Scholarships I can help
a small number of disadvantaged
students to concentrate on
studying which makes me happy
because I know it will open up
new avenues in their life
and make them more
confident to succeed.”
To find out more about staff
workplace giving and other ways to give
back to the University of Adelaide visit:
www.ua.edu.au/staff-giving
When I learned that
through staff workplace
giving I could directly
help bright students fulfil
their dream of studying
at the University of
Adelaide, I knew that
this was an area I
wanted to support.
Photo by Jo-Anna Robinson
The University of Adelaide | Alumni Magazine 27
