Tony scores a treble

Part-time study at the University of Teesside has clearly paid off for Tony Small. For Tony has scored an academic treble, achieving a First Class BEng (Hons) degree in Mechanical Engineering, and gaining the Frederick Barnes Waldron Prize and the Institute of Mechanical Engineering Prize.

Father-of-two Tony, 38, from Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, works as a Maintenance Engineer for the Dow Chemical Company in Wilton, Redcar. He originally left school in Billingham at 16 to train as an apprentice fitter with ICI. Tony progressed within the company, moving from piping designer to project designer and finally to project engineer. In addition, he gained an HNC in and Engineering. Tony also enrolled for an Open University (OU) degree in Mechanical Engineering, before moving from ICI to Union Carbide.

Tony said: “I’d regretted not studying for a degree for a while, and enrolled on the OU degree as a way of dipping my toe back into the water, after an 11 year gap. My company suggested I study part-time at a local University and would pay my fees, so I came to Teesside for one day a week for four years. The course normally takes five years part-time, I had a year’s exemption thanks to the OU course.”

The degree proved a positive experience. Tony added: “There was a good mix of full and part-time students and the University’s facilities were excellent. The course has helped me to move forward in my job, I’ve learned a lot through technical modules such as materials engineering and thermofluids. As maintenance engineer for the plant the degree has given me an insight into why things fail in service and what you can do to prevent this.”

“I’d like to thank my wife Joanne. She’s had to make some sacrifices while I’ve been studying and my children Matthew, five, and and Emily, seven, are pleased my course is finished! Getting a First was a surprise, but the two prizes were a complete shock and the icing on the cake. It’s made all the effort worthwhile. I’m the first in the family to graduate from University, and my mother Shirley will be attending my graduation with Joanne.”

---