Russell Dykstra is a successful and accomplished actor who has starred in many film, television and theatre productions.  His most recent credits include, in Film: Oranges and Sunshine (Dan), View from Greenhaven Drive (Tim), Hey, Hey it’s Esther Blueburger (Osmond Blueburger).  Television series credits: Rake (Series 1 and 2 – Barney) and Wild Boys (Winston) and Theatre: The Addams Family (Fester) and Baby Teeth (Gideon).  Russell has also received a range of awards for his acting prowess, including the Helpmann and Sydney Theatre Award for Best Male Actor in a Supporting Role for Toy Symphony, an AFI Awards Nomination for Best Supporting Actor in Romulus My Father.  

Craig Scroggie holds an impressive four degrees with USQ:  Advanced Certificate in Information Technology, a Graduate Certificate in Management, a Postgraduate Diploma in Management, and a Master of Business Administration from USQ.  Craig has over 20 years experience in the ICT industry.  Prior to joining NEXTDC as Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director, Mr Scroggie held the position of Vice President & Managing Director of Symantec in the Pacific region.  Mr Scroggie has previously held senior leadership positions with Veritas Software, Computer Associates, EMC Corporation and Fujitsu.  Craig is also the Chairman on a number of significant Business Boards. 

Rachael Jacobs completed a Master of Education at USQ in 2007. Her research experience and interests surround creative arts education, performance assessment and assessment in higher education.    Rachael is an accomplished writer with many publications and conference presentation papers to her name.  Ms Jacobs is currently a Lecturer in Creative Arts Education at Australian Catholic University and as part of her role has been successful in attaining a number of grants relating to arts education and alternative assessment practices.  Since 2008, she has also received several awards for excellence in teaching and innovative approaches to assessment. 

Gerard Reiter completed a Bachelor of Engineering Electrical/Electronic(Hons) at USQ in 1992 and since then has been employed in various Engineering positions throughout Australia and overseas.  He currently holds the position of Executive General Manager of Capital Program Delivery for TransGrid; connecting generators, distributors and major end users in NSW and the ACT.  Gerard has been a key contributor to the restructure of the TransGrid business unit from a traditional discipline based business into an Asset Manager, Service Provider Business.  Gerard has also won several Powerlink Business Excellence achievement awards.

Anthony Leicht has completed an astounding four degrees with the University of Southern Queensland, most recently a Doctor of Philosophy.  His employment history is broad commencing as a Research Assistant at USQ followed by Senior Lecturer, Director, Deputy Director and currently Associate Professor at James Cook University, Townsville.  Anthony is also an accomplished researcher and writer with an extensive list of publications including Theses, internationally recognised journal articles as well as International and National abstracts and conference proceedings.

We wish all of our candidates the best as they await the announcement of the USQ Outstanding Alumnus of the Year for 2013 which will be announced at the Award Breakfast Presentation.  Please join us in commending the candidates on their achievements at the Awards ceremony on Tuesday, 16 April at 6:45am.  Also take advantage of the opportunity to network with fellow alumni, distinguished guests, faculty staff and community while enjoying a delicious breakfast in the peaceful surroundings of Gabbinbar Homestead in Toowoomba.   Book your Alumnus of the Year tickets online today.