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06 July 2018 Photo Charl Devenish and Johan Roux
Prestigious academic medals awarded to outstanding UFS students
UFS Dean medal recipients top left; Sophia Pitcher, top right; HJ Prinsloo, centre; Lesley Jean Wright, bottom right; Mashudu Mathobo and Senate’s medal recipient bottom left; Enrico Scheltema at the 2018 June Graduation ceremonies.

During the recent June graduation ceremonies at the University of the Free State (UFS), the winter chill subsided with some heart-warming academic achievements in postgraduate studies. Four students were awarded a Dean’s medal for the best master’s degree in their respective faculties, and the overall best achiever received a Senate’s medal. The faculties in the limelight were Education, the Humanities, Theology and Religion, and Natural and Agricultural Sciences boasting both a Dean’s and Senate’s medal. 

Biblical analysis and interpretation
Interestingly, the Bible served as subject matter for two master’s degrees from two different faculties – each receiving a Dean’s medal. HJ Prinsloo, under the guidance of his study leader, Prof Francois Tolmie from the Faculty of Theology and Religion, took a closer look at Paul’s letter to the Galatians. “I hope that my studies made me become a critical-thinking theologian who can make a contribution to the interpretation of Paul’s letters,” Prinsloo said. He would like to continue his research by doing a PhD. “My academic interest is the rhetoric of the undisputed Pauline letters in the New Testament.” He gave all the glory and honour to God for his achievement. 

A few blocks down in the Faculty of the Humanities, Sophia Lynn Pitcher sunk her teeth into the Masoretic cantillation accents of the Hebrew Bible a complex medieval notation for recording the chanting and recitation of the Old Testament text. “Her prosodic model is ground-breaking in that it provides the key to unlocking the intonational patterns of the Old Testament, which will have significant implications for biblical interpretation and exegesis for Bible translators and students,” said her study leader, Prof Jacobus Naude, and co-study leader, Prof Cynthia Miller-Naude. “The study of the Masoretic accents has been largely ignored by Hebrew and biblical scholars,” they elaborated. “Her research demonstrates that it is possible to understand the Old Testament in light of the sounds of its sentences, as well as the words on the written page.”

Class time
In her striking polka-dot, ankle-high laced-up sneakers, Lesley Jean Wright not only earned her master’s degree with specialisation in Psychology of Education, but also the Dean’s Medal in the Faculty of Education. Although she has always been an achiever, it was the first time that she received an award of this calibre at university level. “My research is part of the way in which I have chosen to change the world in which I live,” she explains her passion and drive. “The best part of my studies was learning in so much more depth about an area of which I knew very little in academic terms.” She completed her research titled, A Collaborative Inquiry Towards Understanding the Experiences of ‘Out’ Lesbian and Gay Teachers in Gauteng Schools, under the guidance of her supervisor and mentor, Prof Dennis Francis from Stellenbosch University

Maths minds

The Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences had a proud moment when two of their students received sought-after awards. “Modelling real-world problems with mathematical tools is perhaps one of the most difficult exercises in research,” said Prof Abdon Atangana about the research of his student, Mashudu Mathobo, who received a Dean’s medal. Prof Atangana commended Mathobo’s passion, devotion, and dedication to his studies. “He was at my door every morning to discuss the previous night’s work.” Mathobo revised Theis’s mathematical model portraying the movement of groundwater to find a more accurate solution. He came up with an exact groundwater flow equation for a confined aquifer, taking all Theis’s assumptions into account, as well as high-order terms that Theis removed from his equation. 

Also using mathematics to solve problems of a different kind, was Actuarial Science student and Senate’s medal recipient, Enrico Scheltema. Currently in his honours year, he received this noteworthy award for his undergraduate studies. He is driven by his love for problem-solving and is looking forward to entering the workplace next year. “It is an interesting feeling to be awarded for something you did some time ago,” Scheltema said. While he is yet to fully appreciate the magnificence of his achievement, the faculty and university salutes the young man for his brilliance and dedication.

News Archive

2015 Open Day on Bloemfontein Campus inspires prospective students
2015-05-14

Photo: Charl Devenish

“Here we use our minds and not muscles. We use reason and not rage.”

This is how Prof Jonathan Jansen, Vice-Chancellor and Rector of the University of the Free State (UFS), described what being a Kovsie is.

Prof Jansen welcomed thousands of prospective students and their parents to the Bloemfontein Campus on Saturday 9 May 2015 for the annual Open Day.

“Academics are everything. We don’t expect you to do well. We expect you to excel,” he said.

Prospective students got a taste of the #KovsieFeeling with a mind-dazzling laser show, a surprise performance by Micasa, the introduction of our sports champions, and an inspiring message from our SRC President, Mosa Leteane.

“When you are comfortable, you are not challenged. You can only learn to grow when you are uncomfortable.”

Visitors also had first-hand experience of how accessible Prof Jansen really is. At the Talk to Me gazebo outside his office, Prof Jansen dished up food while having a chat with parents. This gesture echoed Prof Jansen’s message: “If you want to be a decent human being, welcome to Kovsies.”

To all its visitors, the 2015 Kovsie Open Day, with all its fun and laughter, reflected the truth of the UFS as an academic institution that inspires excellence and transforms lives.

Even if you missed the Kovsie Open Day, be sure to grab the chance to study at our university, and ensure a lifetime of excellence and innovation. You can visit our Prospective Student webpage for more information.

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