Awesome eight are First Class time travellers

An awesome eight some will graduate from the University of Teesside later this year. The group of eight have all achieved First Class BA (Hons) History degrees, the first time eight students have reached this goal in the same History cohort. And some have such a passion for History that they’re returning to the University to study for Masters degrees.

At 68, Brian Ward has fulfilled a lifelong ambition to go to University. Brian, from Thornaby, worked as a television service engineer before retiring. Brian said: “I put my two sons, Peter and Andrew, through University, they studied Computing and Genetics. I thought I’d like to do that, the option to go to University wasn’t there when I was younger.

“Getting the First proves my brain still works and has given me a great deal of satisfaction. I thoroughly enjoyed the course, it was stimulating and exciting. I met a great bunch of people and the staff have been superb. I won’t be enrolling on the Masters degree; I’m having a gap year first! My ultimate aim will be to do a Doctorate.”

Mark Jervis, 28, from New Marske, experiences Asperger syndrome, a mild form of autism. The History degree is his second from the University, the first degree was a BA Accounting and Finance. Mark said: “It’s very satisfying to get a First; I’m looking forward to continuing with a Masters degree in September and maybe building onto that with a PhD. I particularly enjoyed studying early seventeenth century and twentieth century political history. I’d like to thank the University’s disability services team; the staff were excellent and very supportive.”

Mark will be joined on the Teesside Masters course by fellow First Class students Michael Duffey and Denise Coss.

Margaret Hems, Head of History at the University of Teesside said: “Overall, the results have been excellent this year. It’s the icing on the cake that eight of our graduates have gained First Class Honours degrees; a fantastic achievement for both students and staff.”

The following students also achieved First Class degrees but were unable to make the photograph. They are: Frank Kennedy, Gareth Townley and Paul Delplanque.

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