The University of Queensland Ipswich Campus will host one of its largest end-of-year graduation ceremonies tomorrow to cater for its increasing student population.
The ceremony will be held at the Ipswich Civic Hall on Tuesday, 11 December for the 175 graduands, from the faculties of Business, Economics and Law, and Health Sciences.
Professor Alan Rix, Pro-Vice-Chancellor said the numerous graduands were to be congratulated and the ceremony allowed graduands, their families and University staff to join together in celebration.
“Graduation ceremonies are a vital acknowledgment of the accomplishments of our students,” Professor Rix said.
One person who will have particular reason to be proud is Bachelor of Health Sciences student Glenda Chaille.
As one of two valedictorians for the ceremony she said she was truly honoured to be representing the cohort of students who were graduating.
“We have shared a journey that has been both challenging and rewarding,” Ms Chaille said.
“Many of us have worked either full-time or part-time, cared for our children or family members and struggled to create extra time for those special people in our lives along the way.
“We chose to do this because we believe in the power of education.”
Ms Chaille has already commenced working with West Moreton Oxley Medicare Local as a Quality Improvement Manager, which she secured while completing her work placement program.
Nursing and Midwifery graduand Brigid Kennedy will join three other family members as a UQ graduate when she receives her Bachelor’s degree tomorrow.
Her mother, Katherine, graduated in 1976 from a Bachelor of Speech Therapy, her sister, Erin, studied Arts and her other sister, Siobhan, has received a Bachelor of Psychological Sciences (Honours) at a graduation ceremony today.
“I’ll be wearing my mothers graduation gown from 36 years ago,” Ms Kennedy said.
“It gives a bit more of a sense of occasion to the graduation as well as tradition as it has sentimental value, knowing that Mum regularly wore her gown for formal dinners when she lived on campus.”
Next year, Ms Kennedy will be working as a nurse at the Mater Adult Hospital on a rotational graduation program.
Dr Mary Corbett, Chair of the West Moreton Hospital and Health Services has been invited to be the guest speaker at the ceremony
Media: Jessica Freiberg, Ipswich Marketing & Development Manager, 07 3381 1068, 0421 587 278 or j.freiberg@uq.edu.au
