Among the 2000 Flinders University students who celebrated graduation in ceremonies last week, one family had multiple milestones to acknowledge.

The Reverend Joan Claring-Bould, at the age of 66, graduated with a Bachelor of Psychological Studies. This achievement came 22 years after she first graduated from Flinders with a Bachelor of Theology, which led to her being the first Anglican woman ordained in South Australia.

Reverend Claring-Bould says she was encouraged to resume studies by her niece Lauren, who decided in 2017 to move to Flinders for her Masters in Health Science, having completed her Honours degree in Psychology at Adelaide University.

Last week, they both graduated, four days apart.

“I would like to encourage other seniors to come back to study at Flinders,” says Reverend Claring-Bould. “I have found the academic support wonderful and the experience inspiring. Having completed two previous degrees, and as an educator myself, I can honestly say that teaching for the Bachelor of Psychological Studies course has been the best I have ever experienced.

“I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to the academic staff and the young students who made me feel so welcome and included. I am already dreaming of what to study next.”