Perfect score for UQ Graduate of the Year

UQ science graduate Nicholas Beaton knows a thing or two about perfect scores, and will return to the University today to receive the Graduate of the Year Award for his achievements.

The Bachelor of Science (Mathematics) graduate, who graduated in December 2008, achieved straight sevens (high distinctions) in his undergraduate and honours studies at UQ.

He will attend today’s 2pm ceremony at the UQ Centre, St Lucia campus, to receive the award as well as a University Medal.

The high achiever attributes his outstanding academic record to “a great deal of hard work”.

“I tried to put a lot of variety into the courses I studied to keep me interested,” Mr Beaton said.

Mr Beaton said he always enjoyed maths and science at high school, so pursuing his passion at tertiary level seemed the perfect fit.

He said UQ’s maths department provided a friendly and supportive environment.

“I enjoyed being able to study with friends, especially within science, there was a lot of freedom to choose different courses,” he said.

Mr Beaton is currently studying a PhD in Mathematics at the University of Melbourne.

Three graduation ceremonies will be held today at the UQ Centre, St Lucia Campus, Friday, July 24.

Elise Hedemann, a Bachelor of Arts graduate, will give the valedictorian address at the 11am ceremony where students from the schools of History, Philosophy, Religion and Classics; Political Science and International Studies; Psychology; Social Science; Social Work and Human Services and other non-Arts Schools teaching into the Bachelor of Arts will receive their awards.

The 2pm ceremony will see students from the Faculty of Science receive their awards, with Bachelor of Environmental Management graduate Paul Schmidt the Valedictorian.

Mr Chris Masters, multiple-award winning investigative journalist who helped bring about the Fitzgerald Inquiry, will receive a Doctor of Letters honoris causa at the 6pm ceremony, where students from the Schools of Education; English, Media Studies and Art History; Journalism & Communication; Languages and Comparative Cultural Studies and Music will be conferred their degrees.

Gemma Ward, a Bachelor of Communication graduate, will give the valedictory address.

Media: Eliza Plant at UQ Communications (07 3365 2619).