April 26, 2016

Graduates celebrate at autumn ceremonies

From future innovators in medical research to those who will help shape our future society, more than 1,500 students celebrate their graduation.

Undergraduate and postgraduate students from three faculties will celebrate their gradation at six ceremonies held over three days, from Tuesday 26 to Thursday 29 April.

The April graduation celebrations will feature students from the Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health; Faculty of Social Sciences; and the Faculty of Law, Humanities and the Arts.

Among those who are ready to make an impact on the world is Jessica Sparks, who has completed a Bachelor of Law and Bachelor of Journalism double degree.

After receiving a life-saving double lung transplant when she was a teenager, Jessica has become an active organ and tissue donation advocate, including starting her own organisation SparkingLife dedicated to awareness of the cause.

Jessica is the 2016 Chancellor Robert Hope Memorial Prize winner, which is awarded each year to a student graduating with a Bachelor degree who has demonstrated exceptional academic performance, outstanding leadership and is making a significant contribution to the University and the wider community.

It is UOW’s preeminent student prize and named in celebration of former Chancellor the late Justice Robert Hope.

Among the notable research graduands is Danielle Camer from the Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, who through her PhD has been investigating how a drug derived from a chemical found in olive oil appears to reduce the negative health affects of a high fat diet.

At 85 yeas old, James Prior is the oldest graduate attending the April ceremonies. He completed a PhD that looked into the background of the United States' decision in 1941-1942 to establish its major strategic base in Australia.

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The April ceremony also recognised the impact and achievements of notable people through Honorary Awards. Recipients at the April ceremonies are:

Professor Ann Wintle, Doctor of Science (honoris causa)
Professor Wintle, currently with Aberystwyth University in Wales, has pioneered ways to determine the age of the earliest fossils and has made a valued contribution to UOW through her mentorship and training. Read more.

Professor Robert Furbank, Doctor of Science (honoris causa)
Professor Furbank has worked for the past 30 years on approaches to improving crop performance and yield. He was born in Wollongong and was one of UOW’s first science graduates. Read more.

Professor Philip Clingan OAM, Doctor of Science (honoris causa).
Professor Clingan is recognised for his outstanding contribution and dedicated service to the medical profession, particularly in the fields of cancer research, education and treatment. He was on the committee to setup UOW’s Graduate Medical School. He gives regular lectures to UOW medical students and provides undergraduate placements in his clinics. Read more.

Since its foundation, UOW has awarded more than 131,000 degrees and diplomas.

Photo gallery: April Graduation Day 1  

Photo gallery: April Graduation Day 2

Photo gallery: April Graduation Day 3