Retired school principal Paul Andersen's happy to provide the carrot to encourage students to stick to their guns, to achieve academic excellence.

You don't have to look far to see proof that Mr Andersen's annual Fund for Accessing Potential expertise (FAPEx) prizes are having the desired effect. Several of this year's recipients are winning the prize for a second (and in one case a third) occasion.

Prize donor Paul Andersen (purple sash) with award supporters and recipients L-R Dr Alan McPhail, Matthew Lowrey, Evan Bayliss, Mitchell Lees, Acting VC Professor Jennelle Kyd and Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Graham Pegg

"I've seen students with the attitude of not worrying if they just get through their course," Mr Andersen said.

"I want them to have the carrot at the end to get the best possible results they can achieve."

Prizewinners who were able to attend a presentation ceremony recently included three Co-op Engineering students involved in work placements this year: Matthew Lowrey (CPG Mineral Technologies on the Gold Coast); Evan Bayliss (Orica in Gladstone); and Mitchell Lees (QR National in Rockhampton).

The other prizewinners were Nursing student Alice Seguerra and research higher degree student David Turner.

In 2010, the Honorary Award of Companion of the University was conferred on Mr Andersen to recognise his FAPEx bequest which provides an endowment for potential and expertise to be fostered in perpetuity.

Through his philanthropic vision in establishing FAPEx, supporting student achievement and making a generous bequest, Paul is setting an example for others to follow and is allowing excellence of effort to be recognised and celebrated.

The full details of prize recipients for 2012;

Alice Seguerra (first year) - Awarded to the CQUniversity Australia student enrolled in a Bachelor program who achieves the highest weighted Grade Point Average (GPA) for their first year core compulsory courses;

Matthew Lowrey (second year) - Awarded to the CQUniversity Australia student enrolled in a Bachelor program who achieves the highest weighted Grade Point Average (GPA) for their second year core compulsory courses;

Evan Bayliss (third year) - Awarded to the CQUniversity Australia student enrolled in a Bachelor program who achieves the highest weighted Grade Point Average (GPA) for their third year core compulsory courses;

Mitchell Lees (fourth year) - Awarded to the CQUniversity Australia student enrolled in a Bachelor program who achieves the highest weighted Grade Point Average (GPA) for their fourth year core compulsory courses;

David Turner (Research Higher Degree) - Awarded to the Research Higher Degree student who achieves the highest result for their thesis in the academic year.