Fifteen learners from a variety of education institutions and agencies in London received “Adult Learner Awards” from the London Council for Adult Education.
Among these learners, four Western students received awards on May 11.
The awards recognize the benefits of adult learning in the lives of these individuals.
Mary Lee Felder
Felder’s academic journey started almost 25 years ago while in the early years of her motherhood.
After her initial course, she was the first recipient of the Mature Student Award for perseverance, acknowledging the student who, in spite of challenges, achieves a good academic standing. Felder was faced with a difficult pregnancy of her second child, but was able to complete her course and achieved a high mark.
Felder put her schooling on hold as she raised her children. Once they were more independent, and she had secured a successful marketing career, she returned to Western to pursue continuing education courses.
A career change led her to the non-profit sector, and she completed her Certificate in Not-for-Profit Management from Continuing Studies to improve her performance.
Felder has always wanted to assist people experiencing grief and loss.
While working with unemployed clients at a job search program, she was faced on a daily basis with the impact of grief and loss on people during this time of transition. This confirmed her desire to pursue the Certificate in Grief and Bereavement Studies through Continuing Studies.
While working full-time as a Program Manager and taking evening or weekend courses, she graduated with distinction last fall. In addition to these certificate programs, Felder is completing her Bachelor of Arts in Thanatology and hopes to graduate this summer.
Felder has shown determination, passion and high academic performance through degree-credit studies and continuing studies at Western.
Michael Machan
Machan began his studies at Western at the age of 43 in 2008.
His Honors BA in Psychology and World Religion will lead him toward his next goal of a Masters of Education in Counselling Psychology.
Illness robbed Machan of many years of his life. He believes attending Western is a gift to start his life over.
He has done well academically, and has seized opportunities to contribute not only to the Western community but the broader London community as well.
“This educational journey is the foundation of my life and nothing could be more significant in terms of contributing to any success that I will enjoy by being useful to others in the communities where I live in the future,” he says.
Carole Murphy
When talking with Murphy about her dreams for the future and her love of learning, it is very difficult to believe that, by age, she is considered a senior citizen.
As a self-proclaimed mild-mannered extrovert, Murphy gets her energy from being with people – this energy and desire to keep serving others has lead her down a unique path of life-long learning.
Murphy was a late-bloomer in post-secondary education. When her children left home for university, Murphy pursued her own studies and graduated in 1991 with a BA in Religious Studies and Psychology from Queen’s University. Two years later, she enrolled in graduate studies and completed a master’s in Religious Education from St. Paul University in 1997.
In September 2009, Carole enrolled in the Adler Professional Coaching Program at Continuing Studies at Western. Murphy was excited about the opportunity for intellectual stimulation and challenge, the opportunity to meet new people and foster new friendships, to learn with purpose, and most of all to use her learning to help others.
Murphy considers her participation in the coaching program at Continuing Studies at Western as a privilege that will improve the quality of her life, and allow her to help improve the quality of life for others.
Randy Nanjad
Nanjad left a career as a Client Service Manager for an experiential marketing firm, implementing campaigns for clients such as Frank’s Red Hot and The SCORE, to focus his study on the new media niche that he saw emerging in the field.
“I decided to return to school to redevelop my thinking and rediscover my creativity,” says Nanjad.
And the Western community has been richer for Nanjad decision. Nanjad has discovered that the real object of education, in the words of Bishop Mandell Creighton, “is to have a man in the condition of continuing asking questions.”
Nanjad experience as an adult learner has deepened his critical thinking, allowing him to constantly ask and seek answers for deeper probing questions.
Nanjad has made strong contributions to the SAGE Society, our community for mature students, by facilitating and attending events that then give him an opportunity to lend his support to other mature students. We are most appreciative of his thoughtful efforts.
Nanjad is a candidate for an Honors Bachelor of Arts in Media, Information and Technoculture at spring convocation, 2010, and he will return to Western in the fall to pursue an MA in Media Studies.
Owen Thornton
In other award news, Thornton, BA (Honors) Philosophy, received the “SAGE” Student of the Year award at the Excellence in Leadership Awards, Student Success Centre on April 7 for his contributions to the SAGE Society for mature students.
Thornton has been faithful at events, and has shown his support for the society by offering ideas and his time.
Thornton is enthusiastic about his experience at Western: “Being in the classroom learning something you have longed to study is the most gratifying thing you could ever do. People will wonder why you have returned to school. Radiating internal joy will be your answer. It will be enough to know that you have found your ‘self’ in the process. Look. The barriers are real. I know that. Do it anyways. Leave no regrets behind.”
The writer is a Mature Student Advisor and Associate Director of the Student Success Centre: Careers, Leadership and Experience.
