Family of graduates reunite at Teesside University

Three sisters and a daughter have reunited for the first time since graduating.

Sandie Fowler, 40, who emigrated to Darwin, Australia to teach after achieving a BA (Hons) English degree in 1998, returned to the region for Christmas – the first time in four years. Sandie’s sisters Rose Fowler, 38, and Anne-Marie Gray, 42, have graduated with an Advanced Diploma in Nursing (2011) and a BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies degree (2010) respectively, and Anne-Marie’s daughter Emily, 22, has also just graduated with a BA (Hons) in Fine Art in recent weeks.

So after missing all three of her relatives’ graduations, Sandie is determined to make the most of catching up and has been reminiscing about her own experiences around campus: ‘The atmosphere of the University hasn’t changed much, which I’m glad about. The only difference is all the brand new buildings and facilities which makes me very jealous.’ And it’s these new facilities that the rest of the family have been enjoying over the last few years during their own studies. Anne-Marie, from the Loftus area, now manages a day nursery in Saltburn after achieving an additional qualification of Early Years Professional Status this year, just a few years after taking a career U-turn.

She said, ‘I used to manage pubs and decided I needed a change of direction. Teesside’s wide range of courses let me do just that. I’m currently considering taking my master’s here too, but maybe not straight away – I think I’ll need a small break from studying.’ Rose, from Guisborough, started as a staff nurse at the James Cook University Hospital only a week after qualifying. She feels lucky that such an acclaimed University is on her doorstep. ‘If you’re a mature student and you’ve made your roots, you’re far more limited to universities you can choose. Thankfully, Teesside offered a really wide selection of high quality courses and facilities I was looking for. Being older, you fear getting left behind, but the support network of both course staff and fellow students was invaluable, a real community feel.‘ Emily, now living in Middlesbrough, hopes to teach art in secondary school after joining Auntie Sandie in Darwin for a three week teaching placement in the same school. She represents the younger generation of the family and was attracted to the up-and-coming arts scene in Middlesbrough.

She said, ‘With the opening of the Constantine Gallery on campus and institutions like MIMA, Teesside University was the automatic choice for me. A really creative place where I knew I could develop my skills.’

Sandie will soon be returning to Australia, but is very glad that the spirit and essence of the Teesside she knew, has continued: ‘I see the University as a cross-section of the whole region. The community support and friendly atmosphere can’t be matched, and it’s no coincidence that we all have great memories from our time here. ‘

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