CQU Mackay 'stepping' out to celebrate milestone
Published on 18 October, 2006
Last weekend, CQU Mackay recognised the newest STEPS graduates completing their courses with an emotional and jubilant ceremony, as well as celebrating the 20th anniversary of the STEPS program.
STEPS, an acronym for Skills for Tertiary Education Preparatory Studies, is designed to prepare students for university study. It provides an alternative pathway to higher education for students in Central Queensland who have not recently completed year 12.
The 2006 STEPS students graced the stage of the Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music (CQCM) theatre to receive certificates and words of congratulations from their instructors.
Dr Jodi Cronin delivered an inspirational speech highlighting her journey from a high school drop-out, to a nervous STEPS student, to her current role as a Doctor in the Obstetrics and Gynaecology department of the Coffs Harbour Health Campus.
Dr Cronin demonstrated that in life, if you can dream it, you can do it, and you should never give up on your dreams.
Nearly 200 guests supported the 64 STEPS students at their completion and some 250 past STEPS students and staff joined in the 20th anniversary celebrations afterwards.
Guests attending the celebrations included Vice-Chancellor of CQU Professor John Rickard; Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Academic Services, Professor Alex Radloff; Director of the Division of Teaching and Learning Services, Dr Jeanne McConachie; Head of CQU Mackay, Professor Phillip Clift, well-wishers from the community, current and former staff and CQU Mackay STEPS students.
Organiser for the mammoth event, and Coordinator of Academic Learning Support at CQU Mackay, Lyn Forbes-Smith was extremely happy to see new students graduating as well as former students and staff returning to CQU Mackay to celebrate the personal gift that the STEPS program has given them.
“Through STEPS, we have experienced that learning is a lifelong process of becoming who we are meant to be, and it was great to see so many past and more recent staff and students of STEPS celebrating this very fact,” said Lyn.
Photo above – left to right: Kaccee Knoll, Toni Bust and Tony Caldwell (all graduating STEPS students).
Photo below - left to right: Lois Pinkney (STEPS instructor), Shane Cronin, Alanah Cronin, Dr Jodi Cronin, Robert Cronin and Sue Ware (Dr Cronin’s mother).