Over 80 students who have received scholarships to study at St Mark’s this year have written letters of thanks for the life-changing opportunities the scholarships have given them.
At the start of the academic year, scholarships were awarded to students on the basis (varying by scholarship) of academic merit, financial need, contribution to the College or wider community, or other criteria (such as field of study or where the student is from). Details of the College’s scholarships can be found here.
Almost all the scholarships are made possible through generous donations from alumni and friends of the College who, having experienced or seen the positive impact the College can have for students, have given generously to provide this opportunity to current and future students.
Many of the students receiving scholarships have said that they are determined to do the same, when they are able.
Students have written of how the scholarships they have received have enabled them to come to or remain in College and University when this otherwise might not have been possible, or at very least eased the financial stress on themselves and their families (in many cases worsened recently by the pandemic).
Students have also written enthusiastically of the great benefits to them from being part of the College community – including in easing the transition to university and to Adelaide, in academic, well-being, and social support from staff and fellow students in the College “home away from home”, and in friendships that are likely to last a life-time.
The Head of College, Professor Markwell, said that he joined with the students in saying a heartfelt “thank you” to donors for the scholarships provided. The details of financial need, as well as academic and other achievement, provided by students in the scholarship application process in January showed “immense financial need”, only part of which the College could currently meet.
Professor Markwell said that he hoped that, over time, the College could raise funds to enable substantially greater scholarship support to help students of potential from diverse backgrounds afford the great benefits of living and learning at St Mark’s. Scholarships (and the COVID-19 Student Support Fund) will be the central focus of the College’s Annual Giving Campaign, and the College warmly invites donations for scholarships as well as other purposes.
“Your donation can help to change the lives of students”, he said.
These are just a few of the many expressions of gratitude the College and donors have received:
“Your generosity has allowed me to continue to get the best academic support, be accompanied by some of the most amazing people and have some of the greatest experiences. I honestly can’t thank you enough.”
“I am so grateful for the range of academic opportunities and lifelong friendships that I have made while being a resident at St Mark’s. I know these would not be possible if it wasn’t for the scholarship you have provided.”
“By giving this scholarship, you have not only lightened the financial burden, but given me extra motivation to contribute and give back to the exceptional community that is St Mark’s. I hope one day I will be able to support future collegians as you have done.”
“If it was not for generosity like your own, students like me would not be able to travel from rural areas and attend university.”
“The academic and pastoral support that St Mark’s provides far surpasses any support I would otherwise receive. Without your generosity, my family would have found it much harder to provide me with an opportunity to receive a higher education, and it certainly would not have been possible to stay at St Mark’s College and be a part of this wonderful community. Receiving this grant has helped me to be the first person in my family to attend university.”
“To say I love it here is an understatement and I know that, when I leave here, I will remember it as an immensely special time in my life. I cannot imagine how I would be attending University without the support that St Mark’s has offered me since I graduated Year 12. However, my time here at College would not be possible without this scholarship. Due to my father’s work being affected by a drought and other personal circumstances at home, our financial status was not where we expected it to be. This scholarship took a major financial burden off my fees for which myself and my father are grateful. If I were not residing at St Mark’s, I do not know where I would be living, and I cannot honestly say if I would be studying my degree here in Adelaide. I know that my educational pursuits would not have been as achievable without the generosity of the Margaret and Harry Scott Scholarship.”
“St Mark’s College has fast become like a family for me, particularly in the last few months. I am sure you will be glad to hear that we have come together as a community, sticking together as one big family. Moving to Adelaide from a small country town was intimidating and stressful, but everyone at St Mark’s has made the experience pleasurable and memorable. St Mark’s has become a safe haven where I am comfortable enough to be my very best self, whilst being supported by my fellow collegians. I am so very thankful to call this place my home away from home.”
“This scholarship has enabled me to stay at the College and continue my studies in a safe and secure environment amid this unforeseen pandemic. Without this grant, that may not have been possible. As I stated in my initial application, I wanted to spend more time on my studies and therefore improve my overall GPA. I am pleased to confirm that my results have improved dramatically.”
“I am extremely grateful to be given a scholarship which allows me to live at St Mark’s for a further year and continue my growth and development as a student and leader. I will forever be grateful for this scholarship and the opportunities St Mark’s College has given me.”
“From the friends I’ve made, to the academic support and mentorship I receive from staff, St Mark’s has allowed me to exponentiate in all aspects of my life. Thank you so very much for giving me the ability to continue my university journey at my second home, surrounded by friends I will have for a lifetime.”
“This has meant so much to me as a rural female student experiencing financial hardship and wanting to complete a degree at the University of Adelaide. This scholarship has made the difference to me attending college and ultimately studying in Adelaide, as my family is unable to financially support me in my studies.”
“St Mark’s has greatly eased my transition into life away from home, both in terms of study and social life. … the college atmosphere and kindness I have been shown by both students and staff has made it almost impossible not to feel at home here. In these very different times the College has, in my opinion, strongly succeeded in adjusting to these new normalities, whilst maintaining the high level of support I was expecting from such an institution. I hope that in future years I will be able to continue being a collegian of St Mark’s and hopefully contribute to the College community as much as it has helped me to improve.”
“Without this scholarship, I would not be able to afford St Mark’s and I would be missing out on so many opportunities to develop and improve. I cannot express how thankful I am for being awarded this scholarship.”
“Having moved 700 kilometres away from home, I was worried that I may not settle into college, but I felt on my feet instantly, as all the students and staff welcomed myself and all the other new students to their home. … my parents unfortunately could have never afforded to send me to university or St Mark’s College. I am unable to truly express to you how grateful I am, that you have awarded me this scholarship. What may seem like a kind gesture to you has quite literally changed the prospects of my life. I will forever be grateful and only hope that one day I will be able to pass on the kindness you have given to me, to another future student at St Mark’s.”
“St Mark’s College has fast become like a family for me, particularly in a time of crisis. I am sure you will be glad to hear that we have come together as a community, uniting from different corners of the country. St Mark’s has become a safe oasis where I am comfortable enough to be my very best self, whilst being supported by my fellow collegians. I am so very thankful to call this place my home.”
“There aren’t any words to express how grateful I am. It’s changed my life.”
If you would like to help change students’ lives, please give now to support scholarships at St Mark’s. Click here for further details.
