More than 1000 students will graduate at the University of New England’s Spring Graduation ceremony this weekend, bringing to an end years of hard work and dedicated study.
Around 500 students from the Professions, Arts and Sciences will be on campus to receive their testamurs in two ceremonies on Friday and Saturday, as friends and family join in the celebrations.
Included in the cohort are 24 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, a number that has steadily been increasing over the years in response to UNE’s dedication to creating study pathways and providing support for Indigenous students.
The Oorala Aboriginal Centre will also hold an Indigenous Sashing Ceremony for attending students to acknowledge culture and celebrate achievement. Each graduate will receive a sash in the colours of either the Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander flags to wear during the graduation ceremony.
Both ceremonies will be held on the lawns of Booloominbah and will feature an academic procession and occasional address per ceremony.
The Dean of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences and Education, Professor Michael Wilmore will deliver the occasional address on Friday while former interim Dean of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences and Education and Adjunct Professor, Randall Albury, will deliver Saturday’s address. Both the speakers will also be awarded with an honorary Doctor of Letters honoris causa (HonDLitt) at the event.
The ceremonies will start at 10.30am and, in the case of rain, will be moved to Lazenby Hall.
Graduation will be followed by VC’s Open Day on Sunday 28 October. Members of the public will have opportunity to tour historic Booloominbah between 10am and 2pm. There will also be treasure hunts and games with a giveaway for children.
