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Aberdeen University Graduation Stories, Thursday July 7 2011

Honorary graduand: John Manzoni, President and Chief Executive Officer for Talisman Energy Inc

John Manzoni is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Talisman Energy Inc. Talisman is a global upstream oil & gas company, headquartered in Canada. With over 30 years experience in the international oil & gas business, Mr Manzoni is known for his creativity, strategic thinking and a holistic, global perspective. He began his career as a petroleum engineer in 1985 and, for six years, was based in Aberdeen. John Manzoni spent 24 years with BP plc, holding senior strategic and operational leadership roles in different lines of business at the global, regional and local levels. He also managed the integration of Amoco, then the largest industrial merger in business history. Mr Manzoni served on the Board of BP from 2003 until 2007, and in his last role led the global downstream and chemicals businesses. He joined Talisman in 2007, setting a strategic objective of safe, profitable growth. Under his leadership, the company’s portfolio has been repositioned and Talisman has emerged as a major shale gas producer in North America and one of the leading independent E&P companies in the North Sea and Southeast Asia. A double graduate in engineering of Imperial College London, he also earned a Master of Science degree in Management from Stanford University. He sits as a non-executive director on the Board of SAB Miller and was named “International Business leader of the Year” by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in 2010.

Teaching award: Dr Malcolm Hole, senior lecturer in Geology and Petroleum Geology at the University of Aberdeen, has been awarded the College of Physical Sciences Award for Excellence in Teaching.

Dr Richard Wells, Director of Teaching and Learning, College of Physical Sciences said: “This award is being given in recognition of his inspirational teaching and his sheer passion for his subject, which comes across not only in his teaching, but also in the immense amount of additional support given to students across the years.”

Dr Well added, “He is an excellent colleague.”

Thursday, July 7 at 11am

Wayne Easton from Tyrie near Fraserburgh swapped culinary creation for excavation taking on a degree in archaeology after many years as a chef and carer.

The 48 year-old graduates today with a 2:1 Joint Honours degree classification in Archaeology and Celtic Civilisation, after 4 years study at the University of Aberdeen.

Wayne said: “When I left school going to university was not an option, you were expected to go to work or go to college.

"I had two options, to go to Commercial Art College in Aberdeen or start work in Fraserburgh as a commis chef, for whatever reason I decided on the work path which I thought prudent at the time.”

Wayne worked in the catering field for most of his adult life, before decided to embark on his academic journey, including more than 15 years at one of the Gas Terminals at St. Fergus, as well as regional and local hotels, and at a pub-restaurant as primary chef.

In addition to this he fulfilled the role of being a part-time then full-time parental carer. From these familiar albeit stressful work-life experiences he left to return to full-time education in order to gain better qualifications and to broaden his outlook on life.

His ‘life-changing experience’ began with a computing course at Banff and Buchan College in Fraserburgh where he was bitten by the study bug and went on to do a course in Social Studies, which included an ‘access to degree’ element.

Wayne said the course proved to be a ‘window into another world’ however he was still unsure about continuing his journey into higher education until he was persuaded by a tutor at the college that he should pursue a subject at university level that interested him.

The subject that interested him most was Archaeology and he said he realised that 'the only thing that really stops people from trying anything new are themselves.'

Since starting study at the university in 2007, he has studied a range of courses that all 'dove-tail' in with his primary interest in archaeology, including history, anthropology and Celtic Studies. In December of 2010 he completed his dissertation on a related socio-archaeological topic, 'The Impact of Material Culture on Social Identity in North- Eastern Scottish Fishing Communities.'

As part of his studies he has taken part in several archaeological digs, including one at Pitsligo Castle near Fraserburgh, to uncover the original ornamental gardens. In 2009 he spent time at the high profile Ness of Brodgar site and in 2008 spent a month at the Snusgar late Picto-Norse excavation at Skaill, near the Bay of Skaill on the West Mainland of Orkney. Subsequently he returned there for a final dig at the site in 2010, under the directorship of Dr David Griffiths of Oxford University.

Wayne is among the very first cohort of full-time archaeology students to graduate with an honours degree in the subject from Aberdeen.

Graduation today marks the end not only of a long academic journey but also a long commute for Wayne, who spent up to five hours a day on several buses to reach the University, utilising the time for course reading.

He will be watched by his sister and friends when he receives his degree at Elphinstone Hall, King’s College.

Thursday, July 7 at 11am

Obtaining an honours degree is an ambition held for half a century for Hector Rogers (77) who graduates today with a 2:1 MA in Scottish Archaeology.

National service in Germany prevented Hector from entering university at 18 and it wasn’t until after his retirement that Hector enlisted in the University’s Archaeology degree.

Hector, who has lived in Invergarry in Lochaber for 42 years said: “I have always been interested in the human side of history and for me that means Archaeology.

“By touching an object made hundreds of years ago, one can literally touch the past and make a connection with another human being who lived long ago.”

Hector is among first group of graduates on the part time MA Scottish Archaeology degree at the University of Aberdeen.

For his honours year Hector had to complete a dissertation and two special projects.

For his dissertation he chose to research archaeological recordings of the Glengarry chiefs attempts to keep their estates and for his projects he examined Invergarry castle in the context of other local castles.

Hector said his experiences as a student were significantly different from others as he was worked long distance.

His teaching was conducted via video conferencing as he tried to fit his studies round his daily routine.

He said “When you don’t have students in a class with you, you can’t bounce ideas off each other so you are studying much more independently.

“My supervisors offered tremendous support and were always willing to answer emails and help me.

“It has been challenging but I have really enjoyed studying for my degree and I think at 77 that is a good place to stop.”

Hector will travel over 100miles to attend his graduation with his wife Lindsay.

Thursday, July 7 at 11am

The first cohort from the University’s Archaeology department will graduate today with honours degrees in Archaeology.

And one of the 16-strong class has received an internationally prestigious and much sought after scholarship from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Patrycja Kupiec who graduates with a first class honours in archaeology was delighted to be awarded the scholarship which will fund a year of study at the University of Cambridge where the 23-year-old will be studying for a MPhil in Archaeological Science. After Cambridge, Patrycja would like to return to Aberdeen to study for her PhD.

Originally from Poland, Patrycja said: “I was so happy to receive the scholarship. It was amazing news that I could go to Cambridge and continue with my research, just fantastic. I’ve always been interested in the past as I grew up and I became fascinated by the Viking Age.”

Head of the archaeology department, Professor Neil Price, said: “This year only 60 Gates’ scholarships were awarded from 8000 applicants. This is a fantastic result from the department of Archaeology’s first-ever graduating class.”

Patrycja studies the dirt that gathered beneath the feet of Vikings for microscopic evidence to learn about their lives. She hopes to continue researching Viking Age settlements to differentiate those that were occupied year-round from those that were seasonally abandoned as a part of traditional Norse farming system.

Currently working as a research assistant under her dissertation supervisor Dr Karen Milek, Patrycja hopes to publish the results of her research in Environmental Archaeology journal.

Dr. Milek said: “Patrycja has extraordinary dedication and she has been an enthusiastic and delightful student from her very first year.”

In 2009 and 2010 Patrycja won grants from Grampus Heritage Trust in order to attend excavations of in Iceland and has also worked at an excavation of Brough of Deerness in Orkney.

Patrycja volunteered locally at the University’s museums where she helped staff prepare a new exhibition on a contemporary version of a ‘cabinet of curiosities’ in the heart of university campus.

She would like to return to the University of Aberdeen after her program ends to study for her PhD.

Dr Milek says Patrycja is an excellent representative of the first ever graduating class in archaeology. She added: “I’m extraordinary proud of all our students. Watching the students grow as archaeologists and developing their interests in a variety of different areas has been very rewarding. I’m pleased that many are continuing on with archaeology with postgraduate study.”

Thursday, July 7 at 3pm

Laura Armstrong (24) took a quantum leap to realise her passion for physics.

She graduates today with a BSc (Hons) in Physics and Education after a brave choice to change from Accountancy and Law at another university which she started seven years ago.

Laura had been tutoring school pupils in maths and physics during her previous degree which prompted her to make such a drastic change in degree choice to Physics.

“I have always wanted to do Physics but I felt Accountancy would be a safer option

“However three years in I realised that it was not for me and I decided to do what I loved doing.

Having attended Cults Academy here I have always had close connections with the city and the University and with such a beautiful campus it seemed like the natural choice.”

She continued to tutor local teenagers when she came to Aberdeen, and a part time job in retail on top of that helped to fund her degree.

Graduating at Aberdeen will have an added sentimentality for her, as it is where she met her fiancé Jamie Watson (27) who now works at the University in the IT department and she is getting married at King’s College in October.

Jamie will watch her graduate along with her mum, Shirley Armstrong (51), and dad, John Taylor Armstrong (52). She plans to spend the day taking lots of photos with her family in Banchory.

Thursday, July 7 at 3pm

Aberdeen musician Emma Paterson (23) graduates today with a degree in Mathematics after a last minute decision to change from music.

Emma, who plays the violin in the Aberdeen Sinfonietta, decided to keep her love for music as a hobby rather than a career.

She enjoyed studying maths when she attended Mintlaw Academy where her parents both teach, and so despite several offers from conservatoires, she enrolled at the University.

Emma said “I know I made the right choice when I left school as I now have a challenging career ahead of me, as well as my continued involvement in the Aberdeen Sinfonietta.

“I have got the right balance and I’m looking forward to starting my job with Ernest & Young in their audit department.”

Her parents Alison and David will watch her graduate, along with her sister Sarah (28) who graduated here in 2004 with a degree in law.

Thursday, July 7 at 6.30pm

Honorary graduand: Dr Roger Williams MBE, Former Master of Chapel and Ceremonial Music, University of Aberdeen

Born in Swansea, Dr Roger Williams graduated BMus with honours from University College Cardiff before gaining a PhD at King's College Cambridge for research on the early works of Schoenberg. Dr Williams spent eight years in London as a free-lance conductor, singer, organist, harpsichordist and composer. He held various church appointments whilst also running a small opera company, singing with the BBC Singers and performing at major London concert venues. He was, briefly, Head of the Chiswick Evening Music Centre and Lecturer at the West London Institute. In 1978 Dr Williams took up the post of Lecturer in the Music Department at Aberdeen University, being later appointed Senior Lecturer and Head of Department. During the 1980s he conducted the Aberdeen section of the Edinburgh Festival Chorus and was for five years Chorus Master to the Scottish National Orchestra (now RSNO), working with many of today’s greatest conductors. He has had an active recording career, and has given recitals at King’s College, Cambridge, Worcester College, Oxford, and Durham and Guildford cathedrals. Until his retirement in 2010, Dr Williams was Master of Chapel and Ceremonial Music and Organist at Aberdeen University, sharing his time with teaching in the Music Department. He continues to teach and work in Aberdeen, where he has enjoyed a long association with the Haddo House Choral & Operatic Society. He is currently researching the music collections of Scottish castles and country houses. Dr Williams was made MBE in the Honours list of 2009.

Thursday, July 7 at 6.30pm

When Morag Christie (34) of Aberdeen began her degree she had no idea what how eventful the next few years of her life would be.

From a young age she dedicated her life to working with children.

A nursery nurse she began her degree six years ago and is graduating today with a BA (Hons) in Childhood Practice.

At the same time as Morag began her degree, she and her partner decided to open their hearts and home to children in need by becoming foster parents.

Soon after they began foster carers, the couple provided respite for a four year old boy. He is now ten and a half and in the process of being placed with the couple permanently.

Morag’s family life continued to be active as she got engaged in 2006 and married the following year.

She has had two children, one in 2008 and another in 2010 and faced the challenges of working, raising small children and studying head on.

Morag grew up on a farm in Aberdeen and will be the first one in her family to graduate from university.

After taking some time off Morag would like to return to the University of Aberdeen to train in child psychology.

She will be graduating on Thursday at 6.30pm

Thursday, July 7 at 6.30pm

Alison Johnston (22) returns to her Gaelic roots as she graduates today with a 2:1 Bachelor degree in Education with electives in Gaelic.

Alison, decided to take the opportunity during her degree to learn more about the Gaelic language and its culture because her maternal grandmother was a fluent Gaelic speaker from the Isle of Harris.

Alison said: “When deciding my electives at University, I chose Gaelic and Gaelic Culture because despite coming from Northumbria I have always felt close to Scotland.

“This was not only because my grandmother spoke Gaelic and I have Gaelic speaking relatives in Harris but also because I wanted the challenge of learning something new which I could use in the classroom.

“My tutor, Margaret Maclver, teaching fellow at the University of Aberdeen, was very supportive, giving me encouragement and time outside the classroom to ensure that I reached the standard needed to teach children through the Gaelic Learners in the Primary School initiative.”

Her newly acquired language skills also brought an international dimension to her placement at Tarland Primary School, in Aberdeenshire, which has a Gaelic language section.

Through her interest in the Highland Clearances, Alison realised that there would be Gaelic speakers in the Nova Scotia region of Canada so emailed schools to see if they would be interested in twinning.

A partnership was established with a primary school in Nova Scotia which had a Gaelic speaking teacher.

There then followed webcam sessions between the schools as they sought to learn from each other.

Margaret MacIver said: “Through her studies and her own determination, not only has she re-established Gaelic back into her family a few generations on but she has also ably demonstrated the very rich and added dimension that choosing Gaelic as her Elective subject within her Initial Teaching Education programme at Aberdeen University, can add to her teaching career.”

Alison will spend the day with her family who have travelled from the Isle of Harris to see her graduate.

She will start her probationary year at Rosebank Primary School, Nairn, in August.

Thursday, July 7 at 6.30pm

Barry Donaldson’s love of teaching was inspired by Aberdeen’s late Annie Ingils MBE, and as the 23-year-old graduates today, with a first class Bachelors of Education (Hons) he plans to use her love of drama and storytelling in his new teaching post.

Barry, from Orkney has juggled his studies with his role as a storyteller and dramatist and gained his passion for the stage from Annie, who dedicated her life to drama in Aberdeen and founded Aberdeen Arts Centre.

He has toured round Aberdeen with the city’s successful Reading Bus where he created an animation and drama to accompany the project’s latest book Millie.

He said “I take the traditional or the new and try and make the story come to life.

“I believe by getting the kids involved in a drama it makes the stories more meaningful or relevant to them.

“Drama provides a stimulus for the pupils and makes the stories come alive.”

Barry has previously worked at the University’s Word festival running workshops on literacy as a performance piece, including a performance entitled ‘Chapel Horror’ for teenagers.

He ran a family event which saw children exploring the University campus using their imagination to create stories around campus landmarks.

Barry has also worked on a teenage production with a Kenyan director at Aberdeen’s International Youth Festival.

All of this has seen Barry successfully join the Storytelling Directory as a professional storyteller.

He will continue to use his drama skills over the summer when he directs ‘Summer of Horror’ with the Scottish Youth Theatre for primary school children.

He plans to spend the day with friends and family. He will take up his probationary post in Langholm Primary School in Dumfries and Galloway.

Thursday, July 7 at 6.30pm

When Lisa Johnson (24), from Shetland, graduates today with a 2:1 Bachelor of Education (Hons), she will be the latest in a long line of teachers in her family.

Lisa’s induction year will be at Sound School in Lerwick – the same school where her mum teaches.

Lisa feels it was really her mum, Julie Clark, who was her source of inspiration to join the teaching profession, and this was partly why she chose to return to her roots in Shetland to teach.

Lisa said: “All my family are teachers and I really love working with children so it seemed inevitable that I would join the family profession.

“It will be quite different to where I have taught before but I am actually quite excited to be working with my mum in my new school as I already have a link with the school and it means we can travel to work together and talk about our day on the ferry from Bressay to Lerwick.”

“I am excited about working in such a close knit community with people I already know.”

After her year in Shetland, Lisa plans to travel to Australia where she will continue teaching

She will spend the day with family before embarking on a trip to Bulgaria.

Thursday, July 7 at 6.30pm

Sally Michie (23) of Aberdeen has followed a lifelong ambition to work with children and her commitment to education saw her receive the Steph Smith Award for 2011.

The award was created in memory of University of Aberdeen BEd student Steph Smith, from Nairn, who died in April 2009.

It is presented to the fourth year student on the Bachelor of Education course recognised by peers and tutors as exemplifying excellence in their values and commitment to community learning, life and laughter.

Sally was presented with the award by Steph’s parents. She said: “I felt privileged to receive such a special award and I’ll never forget that day. It meant a lot that her mum and dad presented the award. It’s so important to keep her memory alive. I was overwhelmed and it was a very emotional day. ”

While studying for her degree, Sally, a former Oldmachar Academy pupil, was also working for the charity Voluntary Service Aberdeen (VSA) to support autistic children.

She plans to teach in Aberdeen and will undertake her probationary year at the city’s Braehead Primary School.

She said: “My heart has always been working with children and I’m so excited to begin my probationary year at Braehead in August.”

Sally will be graduating, with a 2:1 degree classification.

Thursday, July 7 at 6.30pm

Mary Plenderleith (26), graduates today with a Bachelors in Education (Hons) first class following in her mum’s footsteps.

Mary, from Aberdeen, said that it was her mum, Margaret Clark who is head teacher at Bucksburn and Newhills primary school, who really inspired her to go into teaching.

Mary said “It was my mum’s love for learning and teaching that I grew up with which really encouraged me to be a teacher”

“My mum was really supportive throughout my teaching degree and she is really pleased I am graduating with a first as well as the Ann Mackie prize.”

Mary was awarded the 2011 Ann Mackie memorial prize for excellence in school experience because she gained full marks in all her school placements and had her school reports anonymously selected.

She initially tried her hand at psychology for 18 months before working as a classroom assistant at Donbank primary school to check that teaching was really for her.

She feels enrolling in the education programme after her time out of university gave her a new appreciation of the opportunity she had and this may have contributed to her school placement success.

Her probationary year will be spent at Newburgh Mathers School in Aberdeenshire.

She will spend the day getting ready with her family before being awarded the Ann Mackie prize at 4.30 at the Education school’s reception.