Title

Notre Dame’s leading students awarded

Document Type

Media Release

Publication Date

Fall 11-4-2005

Publisher Name

The University of Notre Dame, Fremantle

Publication Place

Fremantle

Abstract

The University of Notre Dame Australia celebrated the achievements of some of their outstanding students with the annual Awards Ceremony held last week.

24 students were honoured including Michael Stringer, the recipient of the International Postgraduate Research Scholarship.

Mr Stringer obtained a Bachelors Degree in Theology from Murdoch University and a Bachelors Degree in Ministry from Tabor College before completing a Master of Theology Degree from Notre Dame.

During the 2003/04 northern academic year he commenced doctoral studies in theology at St Mary’s College, the divinity faculty of the University of St Andrews, Scotland.

Mr Stringer returned to Australia to complete his doctorate at the University of Notre Dame Australia and upon completion intends to focus upon teaching and supervising in the area of theological studies as well as ministerial preparation and formation.

He is studying towards a Doctor of Philosophy in Systematic Theology, focusing on the doctrine of the Trinity and the person of the Holy Spirit.

The Brother Gerald T Faulkner Award, which recognises outstanding contribution to the University’s Service Learning Program, was awarded to Alison Whitelaw.

After enrolling in a social justice unit, Ms Whitelaw participated in an immersion program in a local region of East Timor where she lived within a small community and taught English.

Alison reflects that meeting people who have experienced much hardship yet were still happy to be alive and show appreciation for the little they had, was an experience that greatly changed her outlook on life.

On leaving East Timor, Ms Whitelaw and her fellow students developed a small Non-Governmental Organisation known as Timor Leste Vision. This organisation provides the necessary funding to further the educational opportunities of exceptional students and in the future is expected to expand in capacity to include a breakfast program for school students as well as to meet other community needs.

Alison’s work in East Timor continued when in January she was able to return to assist the new students’ transition and inform the community services that enough money had been raised to cover costs of building water tanks for the newly developed health care centre.

The Archbishop Foley Award was presented to Caroline Watson for her outstanding service and commitment to the development of the University community. Since Ms Watson’s first semester at Notre Dame, she has enjoyed being involved in the University community and has developed a strong sense of loyalty to the University, its staff and students.

The recipient of the undergraduate Vice Chancellor’s Medal (awarded to the highest achieving undergraduate student in 2004), was Gerry Kelly and the recipient of the postgraduate Vice Chancellor’s Medal (awarded to the highest achieving postgraduate student in 2004), was Catherine Mijat-Vose.

For media related information contact: The Media Office, University of Notre Dame, Direct line: 08 9433 0698, Mobile: 0408 959 138, Email: media@nd.edu.au

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