Graduating University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ) students who live on campus at the Residential Colleges celebrated the end of their programs in style at the 2023 Valedictory Dinner on Friday night.
It was a particularly special occasion for Bachelor of Nursing and McGregor College graduate Tamara Ashe, who celebrated the milestone with her mother Mandy McIntosh.
“My mum is the only other member in my family who has gone to university, when she made the crazy decision to study a Bachelor of Early Education in Toowoomba as a single mum of three children,” Miss Ashe said.
“Following in my mum’s footsteps, and accomplishing milestones exactly where she did, made me more determined than ever to make her proud.”
Miss Ashe said her mum used to tell stories about attending classes in the Allison Dickson Lecture Theatre, where her lecturer would often hold young Tamara while presenting the class.
“Doing classes where my mum did and sitting in the quad where Mum would play with me as a baby, I just felt a connection to her and knew this was exactly where I needed to be,” she said.
“I knew that Toowoomba and UniSQ felt right, but after three years I can say that it is my home. Living on campus was the best opportunity I could have imagined.”
Originally from Gordonvale near Cairns, Tamara will stay in the Darling Downs region in 2024 after securing a position in the Rural and Remote Graduate Program.
University of Southern Queensland Director (Student Accommodation) Peter Munster said the Valedictory Dinner was always a highlight in the Residential Colleges’ calendar.
“It was wonderful to celebrate this exciting milestone for over 80 of our residents, along with their friends and family who have supported them throughout University,” Mr Munster said.
University of Southern Queensland’s Residential Colleges are home to more than 400 students. Find out more about our on-campus accommodation.
