Students and supporters celebrate Scholars' Week

Monday, 3 June 2013

Academic excellence is being recognised and rewarded this week, with the University of Newcastle holding its annual Scholars' Week (3 - 7 June) celebrations.

Scholars' Week

This year 1,500 scholarships worth $5 million are being awarded to University of Newcastle students. 250 scholarships are funded by donations from members of the community, businesses and alumni. The remainder are funded by the Commonwealth Government and the University.

Vice-Chancellor, Professor Caroline McMillen, said Scholars' Week was about celebrating and recognising achievement and potential, as well as thanking the University's generous supporters.

"Scholars' Week embodies one of the most important aspects of our University's mission - a commitment to equity.

"The University leads the country in providing more opportunities for people with ability and determination to enter and succeed in higher education regardless of their background – such as the students we are celebrating this week.

"The financial help the University receives from individual donors, businesses, industry, professional and community organisations to support these scholars is invaluable."

Mature age student Sophia Captain, who has emigrated from Russia, is one of the students being recognised at the awards night.

Sophia, who is studying a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Welfare, is one of the winners of the Shaping Futures Scholarship, which is funded by donations from the public.

"As a single mother of two young boys, it is difficult for me to work full-time and to study. This scholarship will help ease the financial pressure. I thank everyone who has contributed to this scholarship."

Central Coast student Marcos Cousens-Schulz who suffers from cerebral palsy is one of the students being also being recognised.

Eighteen-year-old Marcos is studying a Bachelor of Information Technology and is also one of the winners of the Shaping Futures Scholarship.

"I'll be using my scholarship to help pay for transport to and from university. Sometimes I have to take a taxi to get to lectures and it costs around $80 each way. This scholarship will help ease the financial pressure on my family to pay for transport." 

Other scholarships being awarded include the Edith and Joseph McBride Scholarship, which supports a nursing student studying at the Central Coast campus and four scholarships specifically for Central Coast students, including one for an Indigenous student, funded by Delta Electricity.

Anyone wishing to donate to a student scholarship can contact the University of Newcastle Foundation on (02) 4921 7454 or visit the UoN Foundation.

Scholars' Week 2013 Schedule of Events

Monday 3 June:

  • 'Celebrating Scholarship' evening - 4pm The Great Hall, Callaghan campus, University of Newcastle (involving the Faculties of Health, Education and Arts, Engineering and Built Environment, Science and IT and the Wollotuka Institute.)

Tuesday 4 June:

  • Faculty of Business & Law Scholarships and Prizes ceremony, 5.30pm, Brennan Room, Callaghan campus, University of Newcastle. Wednesday 5 June: * The Central Coast campus Scholarships and Awards ceremony, 4pm, Lecture Theatre 1, University of Newcastle, Central Coast campus, Ourimbah.

Thursday 6 June:* The Conservatorium Scholarship & Prize Winners Concert and Ceremony, 5pm, the Conservatorium, Ackland St, Newcastle.


About the University of Newcastle Foundation:

The Foundation is the fundraising arm of the University of Newcastle. Donations to the University help fund student scholarships and prizes, research, community projects and academic positions.

Contact

  • University of Newcastle Foundation
  • Phone: +61 2 4921 7454

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