2008 Springfield Scholarship Recipients

The University of Southern Queensland (USQ) announced the recipients of a number of prestigious scholarships at the inaugural 2008 Springfield Scholarships Awards Reception tonight (Wednesday 27 February 2008) at the Springfield campus.

Students, donors and members of the USQ Council attended the important event, where scholarships were presented to students who had demonstrated academic excellence, leadership and participation in the wider community.

Scholarships were also presented to students whose ability to attend university and achieve their full academic potential was adversely affected by financial hardship.

Director of USQ Springfield, Doug Fraser said the bursaries, with a maximum total value of more than $44,000, would encourage the students to continue attaining outstanding results.

'The scholarship recipients were of a very high calibre and I congratulate each student on their decision to study with USQ,' Mr Fraser said.

'The University greatly values the support of local businesses and this scholarship presentation is a way of acknowledging their support.'

Mr Fraser said this year the first of five Sinnathamby scholarships with a combined total of almost $100,000 was awarded to a continuing greater Springfield student.

'The scholarship is only offered to students who have lived in the greater Springfield area and have been actively involved in extra-curricular and community activities.

'It is a remarkable investment by Mr Sinnathamby and Springfield Land Corporation in the future of greater Springfield and USQ.'

Mr Fraser said the scholarships awarded would be a head start for the Springfield students who were selected.

'In many cases they will be the difference between the students starting their careers with a significant education debt, or being financially unencumbered.'

The scholarships recipients were:

• Jessica Marshall – Sinnathamby Continuing Student Scholarship
  Jessica is a second year Bachelor of Primary and Middle School education student. This scholarship is aimed at rewarding a local student who is active at the USQ Springfield campus and in the local community. It has a maximum value of $15,600.
• Natasha Jones – City of Ipswich Scholarship
  Natasha is second year Bachelor of Primary and Middle School education student. The City of Ipswich Scholarship donated by Ipswich City Council is designed to assist a member of the Ipswich community to achieve their goal of obtaining education.
• Jessica Wycha – Year 12 School Leaver Scholarship 
  Jessica is a first year Bachelor of Education (Special Education) student.
• Jason Verrall – Non-School Leaver Bursary
  Jason is a first year Bachelor of Primary and Middle School education student.
• Gerard Elmore – School Partners Program Scholarship
  Gerard is a first year Bachelor of Law student
• Theresa Bates – Distance Education Scholarship
  Theresa is a fourth year Bachelor of Science student majoring in Psychology
• Matthew Skinner – Faculty of Business Law Scholarship
  Matthew is a first year Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Laws student majoring in Economics
• Jenna Hutchinson – Faculty of Business Year 12 High Achiever Scholarship
  Jenna is a first year Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws student

USQ would like to thank the following people and organisations for their contributions and generous support of the University and our students: Springfield Land Corporation and Maha Sinnathamby, Ipswich City Council and Education City.

Media Contact: Jo-Ann Sparrow, USQ Media, +61 7 3470 4119 or 0428 102 979