USQ farewells its first School of Law graduates at end-of-degree ceremony

The University of Southern Queensland’s (USQ) first cohort of School of Law graduates felt a special kind of pride at their end-of-degree celebration earlier in the month.

Head of School of Law Michael Robertson said after four years of hard work and study, the 13 Springfield, six Toowoomba and ten external students had earned their celebration.

‘These students were the pioneers of the law degrees at USQ,’ Professor Robertson said.

‘They put faith in what the new law school had to offer, applied themselves diligently and are now reaping the rewards of completing four years of demanding study.

‘They are the law school’s first graduates and I have no doubt that they will be excellent ambassadors for Law at USQ.’

The students will formally graduate at the usual USQ graduation ceremonies in early 2012, as the end-of-degree celebration was designed specifically to acknowledge the first group of students to complete the new program.

Students were addressed and congratulated by Judge Ian Dearden in Springfield and by Mr George Fox in Toowoomba.

Judge Dearden is the Chair of the School’s Advisory Committee and Mr Fox is a USQ Council member; both are adjunct professors of the School of Law.

Each student was presented with an inscribed pen as a memento of their achievement.

Graduate Jasmine Thomas said it was a privilege to be among the first graduating students with USQ Law.

‘There is a sense of joy and accomplishment among the staff and students who have all worked hard in pioneering the degree,’ she said.

‘To have a special celebration evening put on by the Law School was such a thoughtful gesture and I really appreciated the personal touch put in to commemorate our successful graduation.

‘Knowing so many people are behind you and want you to succeed really makes the difference as we embark on a new chapter in our lives.’