CQU Manager, Graduations Sandy Lowien has coordinated 100 ceremonies since starting her role in 1989.

The Graduation Office staff recently arranged a surprise celebration to mark the milestone.

Sandy recently paused long enough to comment on the experience: "The first graduation ceremony I was involved in was in 1989, when CQU was known as the Capricornia Institute of Advanced Education. We graduated just over 500 students that year, at one ceremony on the lawns of the Rockhampton campus. I recall being quite over-awed by the occasion – the fanfares from the band, heralding the arrival of the graduands was very stirring.

"Fourteen years and 100 ceremonies later, I’m still moved by the emotions that are displayed by our graduates and their families on Graduation Day.

"This institution has changed a great deal in those 14 years and in 2003 CQU’s Graduation Section will process over 5000 graduates and organise 17 graduation ceremonies in Brisbane, Bundaberg, Fiji, Gladstone, Hong Kong, Mackay, Melbourne, Rockhampton, Singapore and Sydney.

"I have many memories of Graduation Days, some comical and some best left unmentioned! One of the most amusing was the time when a graduate turned up at a ceremony resplendent in satin boxer shorts, joggers and nothing else! He had reasoned that nobody would know what he had on under the gown. Unfortunately he had not realised that our graduation gowns cannot be closed, therefore his shiny boxers were completely exposed to the audience! By the time his mother arrived, the graduation procession has already commenced so his mother and I had to quickly assist him to put on his shirt and button it up, as he struggled into his trousers – whilst still staying in line in the moving procession! .

"Organising graduation ceremonies is certainly a challenge and there are many things that have the potential to go wrong on the day, however when everything does go right, the rewards are many. I feel privileged to be able to share in the celebration of the achievements of so many people, and I hope that in some small way I have contributed to the positive promotion of CQU, not only in Rockhampton but also throughout Queensland, interstate and overseas." .

Caption: Dean of Arts, Health & Sciences Professor Errol Payne was on hand to present Sandy Lowien with a certificate marking her coordination of 100 CQU graduation ceremonies.