Lumen Winter 2013 - Flipbook - Page 21
story by Genevieve Sanchez
Christopher is thankful for the
opportunity to attain his dream of
becoming a vet.
“The scholarship will be a big help to
my family’s financial circumstances,”
says Christopher.
“I have been relying on my parents
to cover the costs associated with my
study, such as text books, protective
clothing, transport costs, as well as my
other financial needs. Now that I have this
scholarship, I will be able to help them
with these costs.
“It will also give me a greater incentive
to succeed in my studies, as I feel more
motivated to do my best and show
that I am worthy of the scholarship,”
Christopher says.
Rosalie, who is studying for her
Bachelor of Science (Honours) in High
Performance Computational Physics, says
her scholarship will ease the cost of travel
and help to purchase learning resources
and tools to boost her studies.
Christina, a medical student, is grateful
that she will be able to commit herself to
the demands of her degree without having
to find work to support herself.
“It will assist me with living expenses,
fees and costs associated with university
and I can focus on studying and adjusting
to the transition,” says Christina.
The University’s belief in providing
educational opportunities to financially
disadvantaged students is demonstrated
through its well-established pathway
programs and donated scholarships.
“But to rekindle our founders’
commitment to a democratically broad
student body, the University needs to
double the number of scholarships it
offers to disadvantaged students,” says
Professor Bebbington.
At the end of 2012, the University
committed to a new 10-year plan,
Beacon of Enlightenment, with the goal
of recapturing the bold vision of the
University’s founding era, which put
the University at the forefront of higher
education internationally.
This year sees the launch of the
University of Adelaide Appeal which
will contribute towards realising this
ambition. The Appeal focuses on four
key priority areas, including supporting
disadvantaged students.
“Donors can provide invaluable
support to students such as Christopher,
Rosalie and Christina and play an
important role in ensuring these
students continue to gain access to a
university education, regardless of their
financial circumstances,” Professor
Bebbington says.
Another priority area of the Appeal
is to support the University’s research
objectives.
Research has always been a
cornerstone of the University of Adelaide.
Five multi-disciplinary Research Institutes
have been established to support the
most innovative and immediate research
advances, and in 2010 all became
associated with Excellence in Research for
Australia’s top 5-rated disciplines.
As well as in a multiplicity of medical
fields, the University is a leader in vital
work in climate change and water
management, food security and
sustainable agriculture, the environment
and renewable energy, and a host of other
scientific, social and humanist fields.
But the costs of research are never fully
covered by grants from government or
industry. Donations to the Appeal will help
fund research staff and students, their
laboratories and equipment, sustaining
critical work for the future of Australia
and its region.
This year’s Appeal also invites donors
to support the Barr Smith Library to
continue to expand its collection and also
contribute towards urgent conservation
work on one of Australia’s finest concert
halls, Elder Hall.
“By supporting the Appeal, donors
will be contributing towards areas of
greatest need within the University,” says
Professor Bebbington.
“These gifts may be directed towards
assisting needy students, to increasing
our research staff and their capability, to
helping improve our campus, or towards
the University’s highest priorities.”
To find out more about the 2013 University
of Adelaide Appeal, or to make a donation,
phone +61 8 8313 5800 or visit www.alumni.
adelaide.edu.au/university_appeal
Adopt-a-Book
Support the Barr Smith Library
by adopting a book
The Barr Smith Library holds many early
printed and rare books collected largely
through generous donations. A working
collection, these unique and valuable
resources support and stimulate the
University’s extensive and varied teaching
and research programs.
Many of these items, now housed in Rare
Books and Special Collections, are in
need of repair and restoration to ensure
the works are available for the continued
benefit of future generations of scholars.
The work required can vary from full
rebinding to the making of a protective
box, and the cost can range from a few
hundred to several thousand dollars.
This body of work is beyond the means
of regular Library funds but offers an
opportunity for friends and supporters
of the Library to make a donation to the
program, or to adopt a particular book of
interest to them or their family.
One of the Library’s most popular rare
items, John Gerard’s 1636 The Herball,
or Generall historie of plantes, and both
copies of the South Australian treasure,
Fanny de Mole’s Wildflowers of South
Australia (1861), have already been
restored by conservator Anthony Zammit.
Adopt-a-Book now and help the Barr Smith
Library continue its vital restoration work.
Web: www.adelaide.edu.au/
library/special/adoptabook/
Phone: +61 8 8313 5224
Email: cheryl.hoskin@adelaide.edu.au
Left (from left): Rosalie
Hoff, Christina TheodoreSmith, Vice-Chancellor
and President Professor
Warren Bebbington and
Christopher Smith.
Photo by Regi Varghese
Above: Fanny de Mole’s Wildflowers of South
Australia (1861) before restoration
The University of Adelaide | Alumni Magazine 19
