Spring Graduation to link campus and community

Ceremonial regalia will brighten up the Toowoomba CBD this Saturday (8 September 2007), when more than 1200 University of Southern Queensland (USQ) staff and graduates take part in a procession from the City Hall to the Empire Theatre for the Spring Graduations.

High profile members of the community, including local Mayors and former USQ Honorary Doctorate recipients will also march in the colourful procession that marks 40 years of engagement between the University and the Toowoomba community.

The Toowoomba Municipal Band and the Town Crier, Mr Ralph Cockle, will lead the procession followed by USQ Chancellor, Bobbie Brazil.

'Graduations are an incredibly important event for universities and it's wonderful to share some of that excitement and ceremony with the Toowoomba community, as we celebrate 40 years as a provider of higher education,' Mrs Brazil said.

'As the largest employer in Toowoomba, USQ contributes heavily to the social, cultural and financial fabric of the community and our Spring Graduation procession is a wonderful opportunity to highlight the links between town and gown.'

The Chancellor is also looking forward to presenting Honorary Doctoral Degrees to Mrs Mary Wagner at the morning ceremony and Mr Maha Sinnathamby in the afternoon.

'The University confers the honorary degree of Doctor of the University only after great forethought and deliberation. It is a rare honor awarded to those who have provided distinguished service to the community and/or the University.

'Mary Wagner's association with USQ spans many years and she is known within the University community as a persuasive and bountiful supporter of this institution.'

Chairman of Springfield Land, Maha Sinnathamby, will also be presented with an Honorary Degree of Doctor of the University during the afternoon graduations.

'Through the Springfield Land Corporation, Maha commenced discussions with USQ in 2001 which resulted in the establishment of a partnership to develop Education City at Springfield.

'A major outcome of this partnership has been the opening of the USQ Springfield Campus, which commenced operations from Semester 1 2006.

'The partnership has assisted USQ to secure a strong student base in the greater Brisbane area, and will enable the USQ Springfield Campus to grow and prosper into the future.'

Bachelor of Education (Primary) graduate, Lynette June Shum, will receive the University Medal. Six research Doctoral students will graduate from the morning ceremony and five in the afternoon ceremony.

WHAT: University of Southern Queensland (USQ) Spring Graduations
WHERE: Empire Theatre, Toowoomba
WHEN: Saturday 8 September 2007
9am - Procession from City Hall to Empire Theatre
10am - Faculties of Education/Engineering & Surveying/Sciences
2.30pm - Faculty of Arts/Faculty of Business

Media Contact: Amy Cass, USQ Media, +61 7 4631 2092