News

Brenton Stacey
Public relations officer

A record number of graduates, new awards, a surprise, a posthumous gift and a baptism added to the appeal of graduation at Avondale College, December 5-7.

Some 301 graduands--four more than in 1985, the year of the previous record--were eligible to march during the graduation service. The college provided an audio-visual feed from the Chan Shun Auditorium to an overflow venue to cater for the increase in the number of family and friends attending.

Senior lecturers Drs Cedric Greive and Daniel Reynaud each received the inaugural Learning and Teaching Award of Excellence, presented during the service. Both receive $2000 for innovative and sustained learning practice acknowledged and endorsed by their colleagues and students. Cedric's students acknowledged his "enthusiasm, positive rapport and engagement of learners through hands-on activities, as well as his lifelong implementation of technologies to support learning as fostering a clear understanding of science, greater levels of critical thinking and an appreciation of the Creator." Daniel's award is for "the preparation and continuous improvement of the pedagogical innovation of wargaming," an interactive, experiential approach to learning that gives a multidimensional understanding of history. In addition to the practical and abstract issues associated with war, Daniel's students report they have learned important moral and personal lessons. "The award recognises not only the value of learning but also the ability to transfer that into the lives of the students," says vice-president (learning and teaching) Dr Malcolm Coulson.

An element of the service surprised the coordinator, Dr John Cox, retiring after 47 years of service to the Seventh-day Adventist Church, five-and-a-quarter as college president. Council chair Dr Barry Oliver rose not to give his remarks but to present John with a book of appreciation as per the television program, This Is Your Life.

Presentations and awards also featured during the consecration services. Graduation class co-president Stephen Platt announced the students' gift to the college during the service on the Lake Macquarie campus. The gift is a brass plaque bearing the name of Charles Pointon, the 98-year-old who helped pioneer student mission club COSMOS. Charles died on November 9 from injuries sustained in a road accident but will continue to live in the memory of staff members and students--the plaque will lie in the garden of what is now the Pointon Place cafe. The glass ended the service singing the Faith First song, "Destined for Greatness," which is their motto.

Dr Darren Morton, a senior lecturer in the Faculty of Lifestyle Education and Visual Communication, had earlier referred to a children's story about a dog that can fly to illustrate the importance of emotional intelligence. "How you feel can affect whether you fly or fall," he said.

Senior lecturer Dr Malcolm Anderson challenged graduands on the Sydney campus to protect their emotional, spiritual and physical wellbeing by: considering new ideas; using and conducting research; accepting their career as a calling; respecting their colleagues; valuing their principles; and accepting gratitude. "Through [your] example . . . you will inspire others to the same public service, and that is the best way to address the shortage of nurses in our health care system."

The Faculty of Nursing and Health presents academic awards during the service. Carissa Amos won the top Award of Excellence and the Mental Health Excellence Award. The other winners included: Jacquelene Barrett-Whiting (Medical Nursing Award, Community Service Award); Olivia Chapman (Clinical Excellence Award); Derrick Lawrence (Surgical Nursing Award); and Jannalyn Warta (Academic Excellence Award, Robert Gill/Ian Thew Memorial Award).

Graduands Joel Booker and Joshua Campbell used Sabbath school to declare publicly their faith in God. The baptisms bring to seven the number conducted by Lake Macquarie campus chaplain Dr Wayne French this year.

In his worship service sermon, Dr Barry Oliver, president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the South Pacific, reminded graduands of the importance of the spiritual dimension of their education. "I consider this college will have failed in its mission if it has not assisted you in your quest to better know the grace and love of God and equip you to live and share that love," he said. . . . "We need you to be a person of integrity and vision, to be a person of love and compassion, to be a child of God."

Dr John Hammond, national director of education for Adventist Schools Australia, presented the graduation service address. He encouraged graduands to think of the planet as a cake-"we can slice it differently, but we cannot bake a new one. . . . Earth is our only home and we are rapidly strangling it, oblivious to the fact that God provided a realistic solution 3000 years ago." The solution to which John referred is the biblical Year of the Jubilee and its references to social and environmental responsibility. "We need to remind ourselves we are part of the body of Christ," he said.

Back to News