Hamilton Winners: (L to R) Adult Learners Award winners Anton Beaumont, Corban Neeley, and Hana Rangiawha, with Vice-Chancellor Professor Roy Crawford and Continuing Education Programme Leader Professor Brian Findsen.
Four students have had their achievements and efforts recognised with University of Waikato Vice-Chancellor’s Adult Learners’ Awards.
The awards are intended to encourage more adults to access learning opportunities and to celebrate the efforts, academic and personal achievements, and contributions of adult learners. Anton Beaumont, Corban Neeley, Hana Rangiawha and Sharon Richmond each received awards of $1000 and a kowhai tree, to symbolise continued growth, this week – Adult Learners’ Week.
Anton’s story
As a solo father and sufferer of chronic depression, Anton Beaumont’s road to university has been fraught with difficulty. But despite all odds, the Bachelor of Arts student, majoring in Philosophy and Psychology, has received 16 straight A+ paper grades as well as numerous awards and accolades.
Anton says making the decision to study was a great one, as it has given him a positive focus and sense of achievement. “In spite of all the obstacles in coming to uni, I’ve made it and I’m excelling,” says Anton.
He says his studies have been made easier because he is so passionate about his subjects, but thanks lecturers Associate Professor Robert Isler and Associate Professor Sam Charlton in the Psychology department for their help along the way. “They make it easy to achieve highly, through making their classes informative and entertaining, and by making expectations very clear and structured.”
As well as focusing on his own studies, Anton supports his classmates by holding study groups and informal tutorials.
Corban’s story
Corban Neeley used to get strange looks from his workmates as he’d read university-level physics books on his lunch breaks. After over a decade working, he decided to follow his passion and enrolled in a Bachelor of Science degree, majoring in Physics.
It was a tough decision to make, considering his wife is also studying midwifery fulltime – which involves a lot of shift work – and their seven-year old son has Asperger’s Syndrome. “He’s truly awesome, but people with autism can be hard work,” says Corban, who admits balancing family life and study commitments is a big challenge.
Scoring A+ grades in the majority of his papers, Corban is described by his lecturers as an extremely hard-working, passionate, committed and industrious student who completes assignments to perfection and is well liked by his classmates.
Corban says his lecturers deserve credit for helping him achieve so highly. “They have always made themselves available when I’m trying to understand a concept – I’m a regular knocker on the door and they always accommodate me with their time and knowledge.”
Hana’s story
Hana Rangiawha is a 52-year-old solo mother of four – and primary caregiver to her three-year old mokopuna – who balances family commitments and volunteer work with fulltime study towards a Bachelor of Arts with a double major in Te Reo Māori and Tikanga.
She says returning to study was a hard decision to make. “Finding the energy to balance home life and study often forces me to ask myself ‘what am I doing?’ or ‘why am I putting myself through this?’” says Hana. “But it is my children and my desire to improve not only our lives but perhaps others’ lives too, that drives me and gives me the energy to stay up long hours studying and striving for good grades.”
She also finds time to volunteer for the Red Cross and Rauawaawa Trust, and is an active member of her marae, Mootakotako.
She says she was apprehensive when deciding to return to study, considering she had been out of a learning environment for so long.
“My first year was challenging as I had to learn how to study all over again, and learn things like writing essays. I was never very good at reading, so reading textbooks and journals was a mammoth task - learning how to use the library was a mission in itself!”
Despite the challenge, Hana has maintained good grades, consistently met deadlines, and inspired and supported her classmates. She thanks classmate and nominator Hine August, and lecturer Donna Campbell and friend Carol Biggar who supported the nomination. “Having people like Hine, Carol and Donna in your life, who have faith in you, support you and encourage you when you feel like giving up, is vital to achieving your goals.”
Tauranga Recipient: Sharon Richmonnd, left, and classmate Raewyn Watt who nominated her for the award.
Sharon’s story
Embarking on tertiary study at age 40 was a ‘terrifying’ thought for Sharon Richmond, but after achieving top grades during her first year she’s laid her fears to rest and is loving the learning.
Sharon began her journey in the Tauranga Social Work programme earlier this year but was almost derailed when she became the fulltime caregiver of her two young nieces who had been in foster care, one of whom requires special care. The demands on Sharon’s time soon became overwhelming, but she was determined not to defer her study.
“I cried when I received notification of the award. It’s really humbling to think that someone thought I was worthy of recognition and it gives me even more incentive to keep going and reach my ultimate goal of getting my degree.”
Sharon credits the suport of her friends for helping her get through, as well as some very late night study sessions. Student Raewyn Watt, who nominated Sharon for the award, said Sharon deserved moral support and recognition for her achievements this year.
“She’s worked really hard and has dedication and the desire to succeed. I think receiving the award will help keep that goal alive for her,” she said.
Before studying, Sharon worked in part-time family support roles for eight years. Once her degree is complete, she plans to continue her social work career either in a community setting or working with people with disabilities.