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Alumni network at USC
22 November 2008
On Wednesday night the University awarded its fourth annual Outstanding Alumni Award to graduate Dr Elke Hacker for her research work into the genetics of melanoma cancer.
Elke completed a Bachelor of Science in 2002 followed by first class Honours, earning her a Queensland Cancer Fund PhD Scholarship at the Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR).
Elke received her PhD from the University of Queensland - all before the age of 25 - and continues working at QIMR on preventative strategies to reduce skin cancer, including the development of “super sunscreens”.
Universities around the world are keeping in close contact with their graduates. Alumni from Harvard, Yale and Stanford understand that the value of their degree is not just in the qualification but belonging to the university’s network.
Alumni benefit from networking for career and personal development; continuing education; prestige and continuing connections. The University benefits because alumni become: members on advisory boards; mentors and employers of students, an example to recruit new students; financial donors (opening doors or personal giving); and links for community and business partnerships.
USC took in its first students in 1996. At this time we had few students and no alumni. Today, we have 6,000 students and approximately the same number of graduates. We have over 3,000 friends and many more people interested in our development. Our network after a few years is more than 15,000 people and growing exponentially. There is tremendous value in this network and Elke is indeed an important member.
Elke has recently helped USC with its recruitment campaign. You may have seen her on television. We are proud of what she has done and look forward to following her progress in future years. She is indeed an inspiration for the students that follow in her young but impressive footsteps.
Next month I will be attending the presentation of a student memorial prize in honour of a graduate who recently died from melanoma. As tragic as this is, I am comforted that USC graduates are starting to make a difference in the world. Let’s hope that one day Elke will have helped develop a “super sunscreen” to rid the world of diseases like skin cancer.
Our network may not be at the level of Harvard or Yale, but it is impressive and has all the complexities and hidden value that exist in many older institutions. Please join me in congratulating Elke and in watching the USC alumni network grow.
Professor Paul Thomas AM is Vice-Chancellor at the University of the Sunshine Coast.