Three Degrees Triumph For Brothers
16 September 2011
(Left-Right) Brothers Carl Bennett, Darren Bennett and Levi Buttigieg, all passed their University of Derby degrees with 2:1 grades after coming back into education. Pictured at the University's Kedleston Road site.
Three brothers who swapped the building trade for degree study at the University of Derby will graduate together next January.
Joiners Carl, 33, and Darren Bennett, 28, both did the BEng (Hons) Civil and Infrastructure Engineering degree while their plumber brother Levi Buttigieg, 23 (who chose to take his Maltese grandfather's surname) studied a BSc (Hons) Chemical Biology degree. All completed their studies this summer, 2011, and received a 2:1 grade.
Their proud parents, Chris Bennett and Francesca Vallely, and the rest of the family will be on hand to see all three graduate at the University of Derby's Awards ceremony January 2012.
Darren of Chaddesden said: "We all went into the building trade straight from school, Carl and I as joiners, and Levi as a plumber.
"I always felt I wanted to go back into studying at some point and then Levi began an Access to Higher Education Diploma at the University of Derby, before joining his degree. That inspired Carl and I both to do a surveying course before beginning our Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) degree courses as part time students.
"We have supported each other throughout our studying but it has been quite difficult."
Although learning part time while working the brothers did enough course modules to be classed as full time, meaning they all completed their studies in three to four years.
Darren and Carl now work as Technical Advisers for the University's Civil Engineering courses, teaching other students, and Levi is a Laboratory Technician for a company in Shardlow.
Darren added: "I think that studying at the same time did help us. There was a bit of healthy competition and we encouraged each other to finish our courses. I wanted to get at least a 2:1 grade."
Carl, also of Chaddesden, said: "It's been the most difficult thing I've ever had to do but at the same time the most rewarding. I've now received a 2:1 class degree in Civil and Infrastructure Engineering, and achieved technical membership status within the Institution of Civil Engineers."
Levi of Breadsall said: "I had always wanted to do something more challenging. Now I'm working as a Laboratory Technician for the food industry."
Professor Philip Plowden, University Pro Vice-Chancellor, added: "The University is delighted to celebrate the brothers' successes. They have obtained outstanding results in their degrees, even though they had the additional challenge of continuing to work while they studied.
"They provide a valuable demonstration of the way in which higher education can transform people's lives and our best wishes go out to them in their new careers."
For further information please contact Press and PR Officer Sean Kirby on 01332 591891 or 07876 476103, or email s.kirby@derby.ac.uk.
