Talking Points:
- 51 students graduating from courses supported by the Geraldton Universities Centre (GUC) in Nursing, Education, Engineering, Environmental Science, Business, Accounting, Psychological Science, Social Work, Human Services, and Disaster Management
The Geraldton Universities Centre (GUC) celebrated the formal graduation of 51 of our students at the Queens Park Theatre on Wednesday 17th April.
Family and friends, along with the broader GUC community, joined together for the celebration. The GUC was honoured to welcome new CQUniversity Vice Chancellor Professor Nick Klomp and University of Southern Queensland Executive Dean of Health, Engineering and Sciences, Professor Glen Coleman to Geraldton for the very first time.
The ceremony also celebrated the high academic achievement of CQUniversity Bachelor of Business (Accounting) graduate Margot Adam, winning the prestigious School of Business and Law Medal. The Medal is awarded for the highest academic achievement in the School across Australia, and this is the second time in three years that a GUC student has won this prestigious award.
Speaking on behalf of Bachelor of Nursing graduates, Zoe Harrington recalled the many sleepless nights, juggling family commitments and university assignment deadlines, and the lifelong friends she has made doing her three year degree.
“They say it takes a village to raise a child, but I feel like for me, it took a village to pass this degree,” Zoe said, as she thanked her husband James, extended family, fellow students and GUC staff for supporting her along the way.
It was also a family affair for the Cooper family, with Dean Cooper graduating with a USQ Bachelor of Engineering degree, and his sister Madison Cooper graduating with a USQ Bachelor of Nursing degree. This is the first time the GUC has had siblings graduate in the same year.
GUC Chair Steve Douglas spoke of the important role that higher education plays in the region.
“GUC fulfils an important social and economic role, providing local access to university education and developing the skilled workforce needed today and tomorrow,” Mr Douglas said.
