Page 5 - Luce 2017

M ay Dunn Scholarships

Madeline (science, technology, engineering and other benefits that college life would
Mitchell mathematics) and how we can best use provide.
science for a more sustainable, food-
secure world. I arrived from interstate without
Please tell us knowing anyone, yet I instantly felt at
what you were In February 2018, I will be travelling to home at JCH. I was surrounded by like-
studying at the minded people with similar ambitions
University of Antarctica with 80 other women with in a supportive, caring community.
scientific backgrounds as part of the
Melbourne and This environment has been crucial
how/why you Homeward Bound leadership initiative.
originally came to be resident at JCH. This program will run every year for in enabling me to reach my goals,
both academically and personally. I
How did being in College influence ten years with the aim of creating a could not have asked for more from a
network of 1000 women around the
you/your experience of University?
world who can take up positions of college. Moreover, JCH has given me
leadership to help shape policy around many opportunities to challenge myself
I applied to JCH in the hope that I would and make the most of my university
be joining a community of like-minds. I the sustainability of our planet. experience.
Without the support, encouragement
grew up in Bendigo so I was interested
in the academic and social support and positive feedback from friends, The extra support that I have received as
role models and mentors from JCH, I
provided by the residential colleges. a member of a college has been essential
I thought a smaller, more academic can’t imagine that I would have had the in keeping me on track and allowing
courage to apply to Cambridge and so
college would suit me – and it did! me to reach my potential. In 2017 I was
I loved JCH for the intellectual and social much has followed from that. In recent elected as the Student Club President
years, I have been pleased to be able to
stimulation as well as the lovely old red and through this role I have gained a lot
brick building. I studied Arts/Science mentor people myself by encouraging more confidence and wisdom for which
and supporting others to apply for
as a Melbourne National Scholar and I will be forever grateful.
was fortunate to receive a May Dunn opportunities such as Cambridge/
Oxford and Homeward Bound.
Scholarship in my second year.
What did receiving the May Dunn
Reflecting on your time at JCH, have Scholarship mean for you?
What did receiving the May Dunn
Scholarship mean for you? you any advice for students entering
JCH for the first time? The May Dunn Scholarship was of great
assistance to both me and my family as
The May Dunn Scholarship represented Take up the opportunities on offer, it has allowed me to continue my JCH
a pleasing acknowledgement of my journey and give back to the community.
academic results as well as giving me including being open to friendship In 2017 I made it my goal to contribute
and mentoring. Don’t be afraid to ask
more time to devote to my studies and to college life and to make the most of
extra-curricular activities at JCH such questions, to ask for advice, support and my time at JCH. I have participated in
specific feedback about how to realise
as sport and the College play. It also rowing, choir, the oratory competition,
contributed to my having the luxury your dreams. And when you can, pay it intercollegiate pool and table tennis
forward.
of spending many evenings in deep and much more! I was both proud
discussion with friends over tea and Tim Sasha and humbled to have been awarded a
Tams. I am still close friends with several May Dunn Scholarship and it was very
people from my JCH days and I credit Greenaway important for me to participate and do
some of the tutors (Leng Lee, Alice Pung,
James Watson and Lauren Rickards) with Please tell us my best to live up to the values that the
College saw in me.
my decision to continue on to a PhD. what you were
studying at the
Please tell us about your post-JCH University of Reflecting on your time at JCH, have
you any advice for students entering
activities. Melbourne and
how/why you JCH for the first time?
In 2010, armed with a reference from originally came to be resident at JCH. The greatest advice I can offer new
Dr Powell and encouraged by mentors How did being in College influence you/
from JCH, I won a scholarship to your experience of University? students is to go outside your comfort
zone and get involved. It can be difficult
Cambridge to undertake a PhD in plant
sciences. I found another intellectual In 2017 I completed my second year of a at first but the friendships and memories
you will make will last with you for a
home in Cambridge, enjoyed yet more Bachelor of Arts majoring in Russian, and
college dinners and became captain Spanish and Latin American Studies. The lifetime.
of the University gymnastics club and strength of the language program is what
Women’s/Families’ Officer of my College drew me to the University but I found I can resolutely say that JCH has changed
me for the better and I will leave College
MCR (Middle Combination Room). choosing a college a lot more difficult.
a lot more self-assured and mature than
I returned to Australia in 2015 to take From my research I could tell that Janet when I arrived. I am very grateful to the
up a postdoctoral fellowship at CSIRO Clarke Hall had a very strong academic College for inspiring me to achieve and
giving me every opportunity to succeed,
in Canberra where I continue to reputation which is why it became my
develop my interests in plant molecular first preference. However, before arriving both at university and beyond.
physiology, gender equity in STEM at JCH in 2016, I was unaware of the (continued overleaf)

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