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USC holds second Graduation for 2010
A crowd of more than 1,000 graduands and guests enjoyed the University of the Sunshine Coast’s inaugural Semester 2 Graduation ceremony tonight (Friday 1 October).
The event in USC’s Sports Stadium was about a third of the size of the Semester 1 Graduation in April, but still featured plenty of pomp and ceremony, including an academic procession and the presentation of awards.
Chancellor John Dobson OAM conferred hundreds of degrees and certificates on graduands, while USC Adjunct Professor John Mendoza delivered the graduation address.
Mr Mendoza, whose career has included working as Chief Executive Officer of the Mental Health Council of Australia and Chief Executive of the Australian Sports Drug Agency, urged the graduates to be innovative in a changing world and to show leadership.
He encouraged them to use their educational advantages to make profound differences to the lives of others and their communities.
A new Vice-Chancellor’s Medal for Engagement was presented to Senior Lecturer in Interactive Digital Media Dr Christian Jones, while Gubbi Gubbi Dance Company founder Lyndon Davis became an Honorary Senior Fellow of the University.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Greg Hill said the introduction of a second graduation ceremony for 2010 was a significant milestone for the University, as it reflected USC’s continued rapid growth.
Professor Hill said USC was now one of the best-positioned regional universities in the country, gaining accolades in the form of Australian Learning and Teaching Council citations for excellence in learning and teaching, and for the internationally significant research achievements of its staff.
“Students have consistently rated their experience here in over 150 degree programs as five stars, which is the top rank in the Good Universities Guide,” he said.
“USC is the only public university in Queensland to receive five stars for teaching quality and four stars for graduate satisfaction.”
The Graduation ceremony was video-streamed live on the USC website for those who could not attend, and can still be viewed online.
— Terry Walsh