STEPS (Skills for Tertiary Education Preparatory Studies) might sound a bit dry, but the stories behind the program are likely to create a moist eye or two.

That's according to Vice-Chancellor Professor John Rickard, one of the speakers for the STEPS 20th anniversary celebrations at CQU Rockhampton last Friday (Nov 3).

Professor Rickard challenged anyone to read the special STEPS anniversary book put together by Stacey Doyle without getting emotional.

"There's stories of family tragedy and personal tragedy ... and in some cases there have been partners of successful individuals denied a chance due to being moved around the country," he said.

Professor Rickard noted that STEPS students tended to out-perform the broader student population once they reached university and suggested that this was because they had developed a commitment and a passion to achieve.

Quoting President John F. Kennedy, the Vice-Chancellor said: “Many people see the world as it is and ask why ... I see the world as it could be and ask why not? .... I hope indeed that you all will go into the world and become the ‘why not’ person".

Earlier in the ceremony, former mature-age student and later STEPS coordinator Dr Jeanne McConachie (now Director of CQU's Division of Teaching & Learning Services) spoke about her experience of how tertiary level study took her outside her comfort zone.

Dr McConachie (pictured above) spoke about her "fear and trepidation of failure ... and also of success" and also of her mother’s advice to "swallow your pride; it’s not fattening".

She then thanked current and previous STEPS staff members for their loyalty to the program, with the distribution of gifts.

Another speaker was Greg Harper who was successful in obtaining a $30,000 grant from the Higher Education Equity Program (HEEP) back in 1985, which led to the creation of STEPS.

Mr Harper, who is now the General Manager Business Services for Queensland's Department of Education, Training and the Arts, said it was "wonderful to see the seeds planted back then grow enough to be sustained".

Student representative Laurie Armstrong graduated from STEPS in 1995 and went on to complete degree studies and work in Darwin and Canberra before returning to Rockhampton.

Mr Armstrong remembered that in the early 1990s, Greg Harper once suggested he upgraded his study to Year 12 level.

"My reaction was something like ... I’m a labourer and happy to be a labourer and that’s the way I’m happy to stay ... but the seed was planted," he said.

Mr Armstrong went on to thank all the academic and support staff of STEPS on behalf of the 4000+ students who have taken part in the program since 1986.

The night included a vocal and guitar performance - 'Step by Step' - by 2004 STEPS graduate Ben Atkins, and a cutting of the cake (pictured below) by 1986 STEPS graduate Gina Yarrow and 2006 STEPS graduate Tom Johnston.

Guests at the event included Mayor of Rockhampton Margaret Strelow.

The next STEPS testing and information sessions will be at CQU Rockhampton and CQU Bundaberg on Monday November 20. Contact 4150 7149 for more details or visit www.steps.cqu.edu.au.

Future testing and information sessions are coming up in Mackay on November 29 (details on 4940 7416); Gladstone on December 4 (details on 4970 7327) and Emerald on December 6 (details on 4982 8894).