An actor, a computer industry executive, an engineer and a couple of high-level academics.
The University of Southern Queensland’s Alumnus of the Year 2013 Faculty award winners are an eclectic bunch, but they operate on a common theme — success.
Every year USQ’s Alumnus of Year Awards recognise outstanding graduates who go above and beyond their professional fields.
This year, the awards will be held at the magnificent Gabbinbar Homestead in Toowoomba on April 16 and will celebrate the Faculty, Young, and International Alumnus of the Year winners as well as announcing the overall Outstanding Alumnus of the Year for 2013.
USQ Vice-Chancellor Professor Jan Thomas said the awards scouted fantastic graduates every year.
“It’s inspiring to see what our students are capable of and their dedication to their respective industries,” Professor Thomas said.
“I encourage people from all walks of life to come along to the awards ceremony and recognise the outstanding achievements of our alumni.”
The 2013 USQ Alumnus of the Year Faculty Award winners are:
• Faculty of Arts: Russell Dykstra is a successful and accomplished actor who has starred in many film, television and theatre productions. His most recent credits include, the films Oranges and Sunshine, View from Greenhaven Drive, Hey, Hey it’s Esther Blueburger, tv shows
Rake and
Wild Boys and theatre productions
The Adams Family and
Baby Teeth. 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.
• Faculty of Business & Law: Craig Scroggie holds an impressive four degrees from USQ, an Advanced Certificate in Information Technology, a Graduate Certificate in Management, a Postgraduate Diploma in Management, and a Master of Business Administration. 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.
• Faculty of Education: 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.
• Faculty of Engineering & Surveying: 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 Queensland, Australia as well as overseas in Germany and Switzerland. 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.
• Faculty of Sciences: 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.
-ENDS-
An invitation to attend the awards breakfast is extended to the wider community and all media connections.
When: Tuesday, 16 April 2013 at 6:45am.
Where: Gabbinbar Homestead, 344 Ramsay Street, Middle Ridge (Toowoomba), Queensland.
Tickets: $30 Alumni and USQ Staff. $35 general public.
Bookings/info: http://www.usq.edu.au/alumni/our-alumni/alumnus-of-year/AYA breakfast
Media contact:
Callum Johnson, email: callum.johnson@usq.edu.au, Phone: 07 4631 1856
Jim Campbell, email: jim.campbell@usq.edu.au, Phone: 07 4631 2977.
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