A family tradition

Associate Professor Helen Forgasz

Faculty of Education associate dean Associate Professor Helen Forgasz (BSc 1972, DipEd 1973, BEd 1982, MEdSt 1991, PhD 1995) said her family’s long association with Monash was a key factor in motivating her to support the staff philanthropy appeal.

“My association with Monash began in 1969 as an undergraduate student. It was an exciting era to be a Monash student; you had an identity. I have very fond memories of that time,” Associate Professor Forgasz said.

“This strong identity and bond has stayed with me over the years. Except for a break of 10 years of school teaching, and short stints working elsewhere, I have been around in various guises.”

The bond with Monash goes even deeper – Helen’s husband Paul (MEdSt 1985) and daughters Rachel (BPerfA 1998, GradDipEd 2000, PhD 2008) and Rebecca (BA 1997, MA 2002, GradDipEd 2005) are also alumni and at one point all four worked at the University.

“My gift to Monash is a family affair. Monash has been good to me and my family … and that’s what has motivated me most to give something back,” Associate Professor Forgasz said. 

“Although I don’t think I’ve yet given enough, I feel my contribution may benefit students in some way. Scholarships, in particular, are very important to me. Working in the Faculty of Education and supervising higher degree by research students you see how they are struggling, even with the Commonwealth or Monash stipend.

“Monash is an exciting place to be and everything about my family’s experience here has been positive. I think it’s very important that we can provide ‘top up’ scholarships to support research students so that, hopefully, their experience at Monash is as positive and rewarding as ours.”