Student Ambassador makes her mark

An Australian descendant of a famous German family will make her own mark in history when she graduates with a dual degree from The University of Queensland today, Wednesday, December 5.

Anna von Zeppelin, of Southport, will be awarded a Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Arts degree at the 11am Faculty of Business, Economics and Law graduation ceremony at the UQ Centre, St Lucia.

Ms von Zeppelin, who majored in finance, Spanish and German, is the great-grand-daughter of Graf Ferdinand von Zeppelin, the inventor of the rigid airship, known as the Zeppelin.

"I used to get a few jokes at school about my name, but probably more about Led Zeppelin the music group," she said.

"We're part of the Australian branch of the family, the majority of whom are still in Europe."

Ms von Zeppelin was one of the first Student Ambassadors appointed at UQ in 2003, and for the past few years she has visited schools telling students what the University has to offer, taken tour groups and helped domestic and international students familiarise themselves with the University.

In 2004/05 she took part in a student exchange program to the University of Vienna, Austria, attending lectures in finance in German. She also was selected to take part in an Australian National Internship Program through the Faculty of Arts, sponsored by the UQ Dean of Students, Dr Lisa Gaffney.

"As part of the program I completed a research paper on skills shortages in the Australian tourism sector," she said. "This was for the Hon Fran Bailey, then Minister for Small Business and Tourism."

"I was lucky to get to work in Parliament House in second semester."

Ms von Zeppelin said studying at UQ had allowed her the opportunity to gain overseas experience, and professional job opportunities.

She will take up a job opportunity with Goldman Sachs investment bank in London, researching European companies.
Media: Jan King 0413 601 248.