University of Newcastle celebrates Callaghan graduation
More than 1,100 students will celebrate the completion of their studies at the University of Newcastle (UON) Callaghan campus on Thursday 1 October and Friday 2 October.
Graduates will receive their degree from a world-class institution with an international reputation for research innovation, student equity and industry engagement.
This year marks the important milestone of the University's 50th anniversary. Starting with just 1,700 students in 1965, UON is now ranked in the top 300 universities in the world with more than 40,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students learning and researching across campuses in Newcastle, the Central Coast, Port Macquarie, across regional NSW, Sydney and Singapore.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Caroline McMillen said the University remains committed to equity and excellence with 31 percent of UON students coming from low socioeconomic backgrounds, which is almost double the national average.
"Recognising the transformative power of education, the University is a leader in providing more opportunities for people with ability and determination to enter higher education regardless of their background and circumstances," said Vice-Chancellor, Professor Caroline McMillen
Professor McMillen said she was delighted at the recent data, which showed that a degree from the University of Newcastle also gave graduates a great head start in the workforce.
"It is excellent that employers throughout Australia recognise the quality a UON education and regard our students as their graduates of choice. Alumni can take immense pride in having earned their qualification from a truly world-class University."
GRADUATION CEREMONIES AND OCCASIONAL SPEAKERS
►Thursday 1 October
10am: Faculty of Science and Information Technology
Occasional Speaker: Marcus Westbury
Marcus Westbury is the founder of Renew Newcastle and Renew Australia. His background is as an urbanist, broadcaster, writer, media maker and festival director, responsible for some of Australia's more unconventional and successful cultural projects and events. He has worked across a range of media as a writer, producer, director and presenter, covering fields as diverse as culture, art, urban planning, media, sport and politics. He is the author of Creating Cities - a book about cities, culture and creativity that was produced after a record breaking Australian crowdfunding campaign.
►Thursday 1 October
2pm: Faculty of Business and Law
Occasional Speaker: Professor Trevor Waring AM
Professor Trevor Waring has had a long and deeply committed association with the University of Newcastle, which he continued throughout his career as a clinical psychologist.
Born in Broken Hill, Professor Waring began his working life at BHP's Newcastle steel mill before enrolling at the University in 1966 to study psychology as a mature-aged student. While building a successful career, Professor Waring maintained strong links with his alma mater. He was elected to University Council in 1984, appointed as Conjoint Professor of Psychology in 1995 and held the position of Deputy Chancellor from 1997 until his appointment as Chancellor from 2004-2012.
►Thursday 1 October
6pm: Faculty of Business and Law
Occasional Speaker: Dr Moira Gordon AM
Dr Moira Gordon is a retired lecturer with a longstanding connection to the University of Newcastle, stretching back to her earliest years at UON from 1957 to 1960 when she worked as a research assistant.
After taking time out from her career to be at home with her young family, which would eventually number five sons and three daughters, Dr Gordon returned to the University as a part-time tutor in 1968. Dr Gordon received her PhD in 1986 and took up a position as lecturer in the Economics Department. Dr Gordon is an Honorary Conjoint Lecturer School of Economics, Politics and Tourism.
►Friday 2 October
10am: Faculty of Education and Arts
Occasional Speaker: Joanne McCarthy
Ms Joanne McCarthy is a University of Newcastle alumna, completing a Bachelor of Arts in 2003. She has worked as a journalist for 35 years, and was awarded Australian journalism's most prestigious award, the Gold Walkley, in 2013.
It is Ms McCarthy's work on more than 350 articles for the Herald series 'Shine the Light', investigating child sex abuse in the Catholic Church, which has garnered high profile attention, including a letter from then Prime Minister Julia Gillard. During her final moments in office Ms Gillard wrote to Ms McCarthy to thank her for her "persistence and courage" in the 'Shine the Light' investigations and the associated campaign for a royal commission. The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse was established in 2013 with its final report slated for December 2017.
►Friday 2 October
2pm: Faculty of Health and Medicine
Occasional Speaker: Professor Jenny Gamble
Professor Jenny Gamble has been a midwife since 1983. She pioneered caseload midwifery care in Queensland and in 1992 became the first Queensland midwife to gain visiting rights to a Queensland hospital. Outcomes from her practice matched the best in the world for the safety of the mother and baby. The strategic focus of Professor Gamble's initiatives in higher education, as a professional leader and in research, is aimed at reforming maternity services through strengthening the role of the midwife.
►Friday 2 October
6pm: Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment
Occasional Speaker: Professor Kerry Clare
Professor Kerry Clare is the co-founder of Clare Design – with husband Lindsay – an architectural design company which has produced more than 150 architectural projects since 1979, including a diverse range of housing and major urban and public buildings. The work of Clare Design has been consistently acknowledged for design excellence and environmental performance.
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The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.