‘Human on Wheels’ Tina Evans receives Honorary Fellowship

Rt Hon Lord Thomas of Cwmgïedd, Chancellor of Aberystwyth University, presenting Tina Evans as Honorary Fellow

Inspirational blogger, motivational speaker, and television presenter, Tina Evans, has been awarded an Honorary Fellowship of Aberystwyth University as part of this year’s graduation ceremonies.

Diagnosed with a life-limiting condition at 16, Tina Evans ignored the doctors’ negative description of what the future had in store for a Friedreich’s Ataxia patient, and chose to live every day as it comes. 

She graduated in Theatre, Film and Television Studies from Aberystwyth University, and has been involved with S4C programmes Bwrdd i Dri, Taith Mawr y Dyn Bach and Dathlu.  She was part of the BBC Wales presenting team at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, and is reporting on para-triathlons this summer.

Ever positive and always looking for new adventures, Tina Evans challenges barriers and finds solutions to make sure she and others have access to doing the things they love in life. Her motivational talks inspire others of all ages to grab life with both hands.

Tina Evans was presented as Honorary Fellow by Professor Anwen Jones, Pro Vice-Chancellor at Aberystwyth University, on Tuesday 18 July 2023.

The full conferral presentation is available below, in the language in which it was delivered.

Presentation of Tina Evans by Professor Anwen Jones:

Canghellor, Dirprwy Is-Ganghellor, graddedigion, gyfeillion.  Pleser o’r mwyaf yw cyflwyno Tina Evans yn gymrawd Prifysgol Aberystwyth.

Chancellor, Pro Vice-Chancellor, graduates and supporters.  It is an honour and a privilege to present Tina Evans as a Fellow of Aberystwyth University.

Cyfarfum â Tina am y tro cyntaf fel myfyrwraig israddedig iaith Gymraeg yn yr Adran Astudiaethau Theatr, Ffilm a Theledu yma yn Aberystwyth. Roedd Tina yn fyrlymus ac roedd y wen braf sydd ganddi bob amser yn nodwedd ohoni bryd hynny. Roedd hi’n fyfyrwraig cydwybodol, yn gweithio’n galed ac yn llawn hwyl ac asbri. Mae’r ffaith nad oeddwn i yn gwybod bod unrhyw heriau corfforol gan Tina tan ei thrydydd blwyddyn yn dweud y cwbl am ei hagwedd at fywyd ac ati hi ei hun.

I met Tina for the first time as a Welsh language undergraduate studying in the Department of Theatre, Film and Television Studies here at Aberystwyth. She was full of life and the broad smile that she always has characterised her then too. She was a conscientious, hardworking student and was full of energy and verve. The fact that I was totally unaware that Tina had any physical challenges until her third year speaks volumes about her attitude to life and to herself.

Diagnosed with a life limiting condition at 16, Tina ignored the doctors’ negative description of what the future had in store for a Friedreich’s Ataxia patient, and chose to live every day as it comes. Ever positive and always looking for new adventures, Tina challenges barriers and finds solutions to make sure she and others have access to doing the things they love in life.

Mae hi’n disgrifio hi’i hun fel adrenaline junkie’ ac mae ei dewrder yn amlwg wrth iddi ymdaflu i bob math ar her corfforol o arfordiro i triathlon superhero tri. Sut mae Tina yn esbonio hyn oll, trwy ddweud, yn syml, ‘Mae e jest ynof fi, unrhywbeth sy’n bosib i fi neu, na i gael tro.’

Tina has engaged in all sorts of physical challenges such as coasteering and is currently training for a SuperHero three triathlon. Her explanation for all her exploits and her incredible bravery is simply, ‘Well it’s in me. Anything that is possible for me, I’ll give it a go’.

After graduating with BA honours in Theatre Film and Television Studies at Aberystwyth University in 2006, Tina started her career at BBC Wales. She worked as a researcher for the Education Department and then Radio Cymru.

Four years later, Tina moved on to Disability Wales, where her skills in media came of great use as the digital communications and inclusion officer.

Tina is no stranger to the S4C screen, having been involved with programmes like Bwrdd i dri, Taith Mawr y dyn Bach andDathlu.

Yn 2022, daeth gwahoddiad heb ei ail pan ymunodd â thim darlledu BBC Cymry o Gemau’r Gymanwlad.

In 2022, she was invited to be part of BBC Wales presenting team at the Commonwealth Games. For two weeks, Tina worked from Birmingham and the velodrome in London as a reporter.

Today, she has a monthly columnist slot on Prynhawn Da, as well as reporting on para triathlons this summer.

At 37, her aim is to inspire others, of all ages, to grab life with both hands – she has inspired us all here at Aberystwyth. We are privileged to have met her and to have learnt alongside her.

Canghellor, mae’n bleser gen i gyflwyno Tina Evans i chi yn Gymrawd. 

Chancellor, it is my absolute pleasure to present Tina Evans to you as a Fellow of Aberystwyth University.

Rt Hon Lord Thomas of Cwmgïedd, Tina Evans and Professor Tim Woods

Aberystwyth University Honours 2023

Each year, Aberystwyth University confers Honorary Awards on a small number of distinguished individuals in recognition of their outstanding achievement and contribution.

Aberystwyth University awards celebrate individuals who have roots in, or connections to, the region and have either: made an exceptional and outstanding contribution to the development of the University over a prolonged period; gained recognition for national or international excellence in an academic area relevant to the University; or made a significant contribution to the cultural, academic, educational, professional or economic arena.

The 2023 Honorary Fellows are (in order of presentation):

• Helen Prosser, Director of Teaching and Learning at the National Centre for Learning Welsh
• Tina Evans, ‘Human on Wheels’ inspirational blogger and motivational speaker, and television presenter
• Ben Thompson, Short Film Programmer at Tribeca Festival in New York
• Ann Griffith, Leader of Wales and the World at the 2022 National Eisteddfod
• Professor Dato' Dr Rahmat Mohamad, Professor of Law at MARA Technological University in Malaysia
• Kate O’Sullivan, veterinary surgeon for Mill Referrals, Director of Ystwyth Vets and British Small Animal Veterinary Association volunteer
• Phil Thomas, veterinary surgeon, Director of Ystwyth Vets and Director of Iechyd Da
• Ian Gwyn Hughes, Head of Public Relations at the Football Association of Wales and former BBC Wales football correspondent.

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