Hard work has silver lining for CQUni Mackay graduate Cassandra
Published on 26 April, 2012
Cassandra Matthews says three years of late nights and hard work will finally pay off when she receives her graduation testamur tomorrow (Friday, April 27). The Bachelor of Accounting student gained the highest Grade Point Average (GPA) among her cohort of CQUniversity Mackay graduates.
LINK also to CQUniversity staff shine at Mackay Graduation
LINK also to Industry stalwart and former Mayor to be honoured at Mackay Graduation
But it hasn't always been an easy road for Ms Matthews who, like many modern-day students, studied full-time while holding down a job.
"It was difficult but also rewarding," Ms Matthews said.
"The biggest challenge throughout my degree was obtaining sufficient time to spend with family and friends, who were very supportive and understanding of the time and resources that I needed to study."
Ms Matthews said that thanks to her employer at the time, Woodmans Mitre 10, she was able to successfully complete her degree with Distinction and be awarded the graduation medal for outstanding academic record.
"I was surprised but at the same time very proud. I was dedicated to my studies and put a lot of time and effort into the assessments."
Ms Matthews, who is now working as a full-time accountant with CE Smith & Co, will join a total of 123 CQUniversity students who will graduate on Friday, April 27 at the Mackay Entertainment Centre.
Graduates include 62 students from the Faculty of Arts, Business, Informatics and Education, 59 from the Faculty of Science, Health and Engineering and two from the Academic Board.
The graduation audience will hear from guest speaker Mackay Police Superintendant Graham Coleman.
Industry stalwart Allan Ruming and former Mayor Julie Boyd will be honoured during the ceremony. In recognition of his auspicious career in the engineering and mining industries and his advocacy on behalf of the University, the degree of Honorary Master of Engineering will be conferred on Mr Ruming. The honorary award of Companion of the University will be conferred on Ms Boyd to recognise her support of CQUniversity, her contribution as a community leader and her service to the state of Queensland.
CQUniversity Australia Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Scott Bowman will be in attendance at the graduation ceremony and said he looked forward to congratulating all the Mackay graduates.
"Each year I continue to be inspired by our graduates who have worked so hard over the course of their studies to further their careers," Professor Bowman said.
"With CQUniversity Mackay being one of our fastest growing campuses and with new courses coming online regularly, I look forward to seeing more and more graduates through our doors over the coming years."
Pro-Vice Chancellor (Community & Engagement) and Head of Campus Professor Pierre Viljoen said the University was proud to play a part in changing a student's life.
"For our students, graduation is a very important achievement in their lives, and we are pleased to be standing beside them in their journey," Professor Viljoen said.
"We are fortunate to have one of the fastest growing universities in Queensland and we look forward to hearing success stories from our graduates as they forge a career for themselves."
CQUniversity Mackay will also celebrate the first cohort from the intensive workshop-delivered programs of the Graduate Diploma of Management.
Meanwhile, four CQUniversity Mackay staff members will receive testamurs on Friday. Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music senior lecturer Judith Brown will be awarded with a Doctor of Education while her colleague, lecturer Kim Kirkman will graduate with a Master of Learning Management.
Nursing lecturer Sandra McLellan will graduate with a Master of Clinical Practice (Nursing) and Arthur Pinkney will be awarded with a Doctor of Philosophy.