Top Indigenous grad wins UC medal
Kristyn Comino
15 April 2014: Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours) graduate Teresa (Tess) Ryan was the recipient of the University Medal for the First Class Honours student with the highest grade point average, with the humble student saying when she found out, she questioned if that was correct.
鈥淚 asked: 鈥榓re you sure they haven鈥檛 made a mistake?鈥 I鈥檓 really honoured, especially when I think back to when I first started and how far I鈥檝e come. I鈥檝e learnt a lot about myself and I鈥檓 really proud that I鈥檝e developed so much resilience and kept pushing myself to achieve,鈥 Ms Ryan said.
鈥淢y decision to study at university was not an easy one. As a single parent with health issues, it would have been easier to continue work and follow my career path, rather than turn my life upside down and study full-time. But sacrifices had to be made, in order for me to make changes in my life.鈥
For her honours project the Biripi woman looked into Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander political engagement in Australia, including topics like constitutional recognition and by examining the 鈥渞ise and fall鈥 of the former Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission.
鈥淚 found there is not a general consensus about Indigenous political engagement, there are lots of ideas but there is nothing tangible about how to create change for Indigenous people in Australia,鈥 Ms Ryan said.
鈥淧eople want different things and there needs to be more conversations, more representation and more media output to help bring these specific ideas into one forum.鈥
 |
|
Tess Ryan graduated with a Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours) and is continuing her studies through a PhD. Photo: Michelle McAulay |
Having previously completed a Bachelor of Communication and Media Studies, she is now 鈥渟cared and excited鈥 to start a PhD at the University, where she is looking into leadership models for Indigenous women.
鈥淚 feel like at the 海角射区 I have found a belonging place that fits all the identities that are within me,鈥 she said of continuing to study at the University.
She said she found the support centre for Indigenous students 鈥 the Ngunnawal Centre 鈥 particularly useful as a 鈥渉ub鈥 to study in and meet with fellow Indigenous students.
鈥淚t鈥檚 been great to see an increasing number of students using the Centre, it鈥檚 a really positive environment.鈥
Ms Ryan was also the student speaker at her ceremony, which her 70-year-old mother attended along with her friend and fellow honours graduate Wendy Somerville.
Read more 海角射区 graduation stories:
Grad鈥檚 anatomy: from classroom to mortuary
Canberra CEO awarded honorary degree
Graduate explores Indigenous identity
Hakim hopes to help others
Typhoon didn't stop graduate's degree dream
Alumna Alison's amazing Sydney adventure
Passion for nursing leads to PhD
Olympic grads dive into education
Mainstream music biz off key for Indigenous acts
UC sports grad now coaching in Japan