University graduates record number of students
A record number of Arts, Engineering and Surveying, and Business students will celebrate this weekend after they graduate from the University of Southern Queensland (USQ).
More than 600 students from across the three faculties will mark the culmination of years of hard work during a morning and afternoon ceremony on Saturday 3 May 2008.
Students from the Faculty of Arts and the Faculty of Engineering will hear from guest speaker Kev Carmody during the morning ceremony.
Mr Carmody is singer-songwriter of national and international renown, and is highly respected as an advocate of Aboriginal Australia's oral tradition of teaching and learning through storytelling.
The enormous success of his albums Pillars of Society, Eulogy (for a black man) and Bloodlines have confirmed him as one of the most respected singer-songwriters in the country.
Mr Carmody will also be presented with an Honorary Degree of Doctor from the University during the graduation ceremony.
Dean of the Faculty of Business Professor Allan Layton said more than 400 students will attend the Business graduation in the afternoon.
A further 1,000 students have already graduated at one of USQ's international graduation ceremonies in March or have received their awards in absentia.
'It is very pleasing indeed that the Faculty is conferring awards to a record number of graduates at this Saturday's graduation ceremony,' Professor Layton said.
'One of the very satisfying experiences of an academic's professional life is to share with students and their families the great joy they feel in accomplishing their academic goals. It's always a great day.'
Professor Layton also was very pleased with this year's commencing student numbers across the Faculty's programs, including a very successful launch of the Faculty's new Law programs.
'It's great to see such a strong vote of confidence in what the Business Faculty offers,' he said.
Guest speaker President of the Queensland Law Society and a Partner of Briese Mahon Lawyers based in Toowoomba, Megan Mahon will address the afternoon ceremony.
Ms Mahon is a very proud member of the profession and active in business and community groups in Toowoomba and beyond, including the Toowoomba Diocesan Education Board. She also sat on the consultative committee assisting with the development of USQ's Law School.
WHAT: USQ Graduations, Faculties of Arts, Engineering and Surveying 10am; Faculty of Business 2.30pm
WHERE: Clive Berghofer Recreation Centre, Toowoomba Campus
WHEN: Saturday 3 May 2008
Media Contact: Connie-Louise Rego, USQ Media, +61 7 4631 2977