POSTED: 7.7.2006

Students awards for Paisley

Rewarding time for Paisley Students

A number of local students, who have chosen to study with the University of Paisley at the Crichton University Campus in Dumfries, have recently been rewarded for their efforts and outstanding achievements.

Third year Childhood Studies student, Dawn Mcleod has become the second University of Paisley student in a row to pick up the local ‘Learner of the Year award’ at the recent Celebration of Learning Awards. The awards ceremony is an annual event, which recognises the achievements of adults who, at times against considerable odds, take their future into their own hands and benefit from the opportunities available to enhance their knowledge, quality of life and job prospects. Secondly, it provides a mechanism to share the stories and achievements of local learners, which often provide inspiration to others.

Dawn received the title of ‘2006 Learner of the Year’ at the awards ceremony, organised by Dumfries & Galloway Lifelong Learning Partnership, at Easterbrook Hall in Dumfries on Wednesday 7th June. Dawn was nominated by one of her course tutors; Angie Whitelaw, who believed Dawn truly deserved recognition for her achievements as an adult learner.

Angie commented: “Dawn’s learning resulted from very difficult family circumstances where she found herself needing to support her four year old son through grief and turmoil. In seeing the results from the support her son received, Dawn decided that she wanted to help other children in this way and embarked on the Higher National Certificate in Childcare at Dumfries & Galloway College. Whilst doing this, Dawn experienced further trauma when she suffered from two brain clots, which affected her balance, co-ordination, memory and sight. Sheer determination, along with support from her family and tutors, enabled Dawn to persist and progress to the University of Paisley to work towards her degree in Childhood Studies”.

Dawn will achieve her goal by graduating from the University of Paisley in November 2006. It is now her intention to do further training in psychology through the Open University while working with nursery aged children.

Angie added: “Dawn is an example to us all on how to achieve in the face of adversity.”

Also picking up an award at a different ceremony was Darren Clark, second year computing student at the University of Paisley, Crichton Campus in Dumfries. Darren overcame stiff competition from all University Computing students to pick up ‘The Court Medal’ in the recent University awards ceremony. The University awards the best-performing student in each year of each degree programme with this award and this year Darren was the best performing student in Year 2 of the BSc Computing programme.

Local lecturer, Glenn Affleck was delighted that Darren received this recognition and believed it was well deserved. He said: “Darren is a great student who has exceptional computer programming skills and continuously achieves a very high standard of course work. To have received this award is a great achievement and I think this reflects the quality of work and students in Dumfries. It’s great for Darren but it’s also great for Dumfries.”