Generous support flows for the Teresia Teaiwa Memorial Fund
Largely organised by the recently formed Pacific Studies Alumni Association, the event featured moving testimony from generations of past and present students.
There were performances and speeches from those who cherish their connections to the Pacific Studies programme and are committed to ensuring opportunities for future generations of Pacific Studies students.
Dr April Henderson, Acting Director Va'aomanū Pasifika, says Associate Professor Teresia Teaiwa prioritised investing in people.
“She invested extraordinary amounts of time and energy in really knowing people—their stories, their aspirations, their networks and relationships—sometimes appearing to know what they were capable of before they knew it themselves.”
Dr Henderson says that in building and inspiring the Pacific Studies programme, Teresia has created a legacy of pedagogy and content based in knowing and believing in our students and providing them with the opportunities and challenges to realise their incredible capabilities.
“As Teresia herself envisioned, our vast, interconnected 'sea of alumni' will play a key role in future initiatives to raise funds for the Teresia Teaiwa Memorial Scholarships. The success of the launch event exemplifies what comes from such an investment in people.”
“We are off to a thrilling start. All of us—staff, alumni, and students alike—were stunned and humbled that by the close of the launch event the fund had already attracted donations and pledges totalling $109,000, including a generous contribution from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences and an astounding bequest of $100,000 from Teresia herself."
Help Teresia realise her dream. Your gift is an investment in the future generations of Pacific Studies students.