Uni celebrates milestones at graduation ceremonies
Wednesday, 11 April 2012
Almost 3000 students will celebrate their graduation from the University of Adelaide over the next week, including the first profoundly deaf person to complete an Honours degree in the University's 138-year history.
Sandra Hoopmann has spent the past 11 years studying part-time at the University of Adelaide with the help of sign-language interpreters, who worked with her during lectures, tutorials and meetings with her supervisors.
The 62-year-old will be awarded a Bachelor of Arts (First Class Honours) in the Discipline of Gender, Work and Social Enquiry.
Sandra is one of 2900 students who will graduate in 12 ceremonies held in Bonython Hall, starting today, Wednesday 11 April, and concluding on 18 April.
Also among the graduates will be Dr Richard Bosworth, the University's second Indigenous PhD graduate in Agriculture, who returned to study 28 years after leaving high school to complete a degree in Environmental Science at the University of Adelaide.
Dr Bosworth will also deliver the graduation address tomorrow (Thursday 12 April at 2.30pm) on the same day he receives his doctorate.
Students will hear from a variety of community leaders including the Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor James McWha, who will address 237 graduands in the Faculty of Sciences at tomorrow's 10am ceremony.
It will be Professor McWha's last graduation ceremony at the University of Adelaide after 10 years as Vice-Chancellor, during which time he has attended more than 250 graduation ceremonies involving in excess of 60,000 students.
Adelaide Lord Mayor, the Right Honourable Stephen Yarwood - a University of Adelaide alumnus - will deliver the graduation address to students in the Faculty of Professions.
Another keynote graduation speaker will be Professor Steve Wesselingh, the Director of the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), who was appointed in 2011 to lead this $200 million world-class independent research institute involving the University of Adelaide.
"Graduation is a time of celebration for the whole University community," says Professor McWha.
"We are celebrating the tremendous achievements of our students. We are proud to have helped give these students an excellent start to their future careers and lives, many of whom will make a significant impact within their community and further afield," he says.
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