Connections

Linden Chuang

Public relations editorial assistant

A former student and now colleague of Avondale College president Dr John Cox has dedicated her production of John Milton's Samson Agonistes to him.

Director and arts lecturer Dr Jane Fernandez first read the play in one of John's classes. She spoke before the performance in College Hall on Saturday (May 31) of John's exceptional teaching, astute literary scholarship and Christian modelling. "He has been a giant of inspiration to students of this college and elsewhere," said Dr Fernandez. "As an ex-student, it is my pleasure and privilege to dedicate my work, my deep faith in my students and my abiding respect in their abilities, to my own mahatma guru [great soul teacher], Dr John Cox."

Samson Agonistes is an old English dramatic tragedy about the biblical character, Samson, and the inner struggles that consumed him during the final stages of his life. Jane produced it with students, including Cameron Rogers, Josh Stewart and Luke Waylor as Samson, from her drama class. "What made it easy was this wonderful group of people," she said. "They worked so well."