300 USQ graduates celebrate studies complete amid pandemic

While university students have faced challenges completing their degrees amid an unprecedented global pandemic, hundreds of Ipswich graduates are now celebrating coming out the other side.

More than 300 Ipswich University of Southern Queensland students have this week celebrated completing their degrees and entering the workforce amid unprecedented economic times.

Class valedictorian Colin Sheil, who completed a Master of Learning and Teaching (Primary) at USQ in July this year aged 54, shared in the excitement at a graduation ceremony at the Ipswich Civic Centre on Thursday afternoon.

He said his recent learning experience at USQ differed significantly to that of his first university experience in the late 1980s, transforming further throughout the Covid-19 pandemic to become more accessible.

“Five years ago, I never imagined it would be possible for me to complete a Masters degree and become a teacher after over 30 years in the business world,” Mr Sheil said.

“We joined the wonderful, welcoming USQ learning environment, which encouraged and nurtured our dreams, and we made it happen by helping and supporting one another.”

Mr Sheil said with the support of his wife Mary-Ann, daughter Aibhlinn, and his university, he had come out the other side of his course and the Covid-19 pandemic with a degree and a job.

He will begin working as a primary school teacher in north Brisbane next week.

Also celebrating finishing her degree this week was mum-of-one Stephanee Bevis.

Ms Bevis completed a Bachelor of Nursing at USQ in July, attending her graduation ceremony on Thursday afternoon with her 13-month-old son Sonny and partner Sean Kettle.

“I’ve always wanted to be in health, and nursing seemed like the right fit,” she said.

“Halfway through, I fell pregnant with Sonny.”

Ms Bevis said she completed her practical training while on maternity leave, starting when he was just four months old.

“I was very lucky. My family is very supportive and they helped with looking after him,” she said.

She said having access to online learning was also a blessing, as it enabled her to spend time with her son while completing her degree.

Since graduating, Ms Bevis has commenced a graduation program in theatre at Greenslopes Hospital and said she was looking forward to seeing where that might take her.