Grace Lutheran College’s most outstanding graduates
From musicians, Olympians, radio stars, and academics – alumni from Grace Lutheran College are becoming leaders in their fields all over the world. We asked the College to nominate some of their most outstanding graduates.
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Thousands of students have passed through the gates of Grace Lutheran College (Rothwell and Caboolture) since it opened in 1978 – we asked the College to compile a list of some of its most outstanding graduates.
Andrew Powell
Member for Glass House Andrew Powell was the College Captain at Grace Lutheran College, Rothwell, in 1991. Born in Melbourne Mr Powell and his family moved around before settling in Burpengary. After graduating high school he completed degrees in Science and Arts at the University of Queensland. Mr Powell then worked for the Defence Department in Canberra, including a stint working overseas, before joining the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and the Department of Child Safety. He has held the seat in the Glass House electorate, as member of the LNP, since 2009.
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Steven Stolz
Dr. Steven A. Stolz, graduated from Grace Luther College (GLC) in 1994. His surname may be familiar to some because his father (i.e. Fred Stolz) was the Headmaster at GLC for 35 years. After graduating, Steven completed a Bachelor of Education (BEd) at The Queensland University of Technology (QUT). He then taught for wo years in Cairns, followed by four years in Melbourne, and four years in Brisbane.
During his time as a secondary school teacher, he completed a Graduate Diploma of Theology (GradDipTh), a Master of Arts (MA) in philosophy, and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in philosophy. While working on his PhD, he commenced his first academic appointment at La Trobe University in Melbourne. Recently, he has accepted an academic position at The University of Adelaide (South Australia) as a Senior Lecturer and Program Director of the Master of Teaching degree.
Kip Wightman
Hundreds of Queenslander’s listen to Kip Wightman on their way into work each morning. Mr Wightman, who graduated Grace College in 1994, is part of the Ash, Kip and Luttsy breakfast show on NOVA 106.9. He has been involved in the radio industry for close to 25 years. His first radio job was in 1994, after graduating, working as an announced/copywriter at Northwest in Karratha, Western Australia. Mr Wightman worked his way up and was named the Top 30 co-host and Perth’s highest rating night show for three years running. He moved to Sydney in 2001 with Nova 96.9, before heading back to Brisbane in 2004.
Timothy Buxton
Since graduating in 1999 Timothy Buxton has travelled the world – helping hundreds of people along the way. Mr Buxton has an Advanced Diploma in Christian Ministry and Biblical Studies. He served as a school chaplain at Narangba State High School and Burpengary Baptist Church.
Mr Buxton was a short-term missions director for Times Square Church, New York. He moved his family to Iraq in 2013 where he established The Refuge Initiative. The charity helps build micro villages for refugees – providing hope and pathways back to independence. He has held many other roles including working as the Connect Pastor at Suncoast Church and founding You Belong – a charity that helps welcome refugees to Australia.
Other outstanding graduates
James Walker
James Walker graduated in 2004. He went on to study at QUT – where he graduated with first class honours. At Stanford he works on a multidisciplinary project spanning, organic synthesis, computational modelling, molecular biology and electrophysiology with CMAD co-fellow Paul Novick.
Kylie Palmer
Kylie Palmer is one of many athletes to have attended Grace Lutheran College. The 2007 graduate represented Australia at the 2006 Commonwealth Games and the 2007 Melbourne World Championships. She competed at the 2008 Short Course World Championships in Manchester where she won four medals. Palmer was part of the Australian women’s team that won gold at the Beijing Olympics in 4× 200 metre women’s relay. The team also broke the World Record by 5.78 seconds. She won a gold medal in the 200m freestyle event at the 2010 Commonwealth Games. Palmer picked up a silver Olympic medal at 2012 London Olympics in the 4 × 200m freestyle relay team.
Latham Horn
A talented musician, Latham Horn has travelled 15, 918km to pursue his career. The flautist graduated from Grace Lutheran College in 2007. He earned a Bachelor of Music from the Queensland Conservatorium of Music and a Master Degree from the Anton Bruckner Universities Linz. Three years ago he was offered a permanent full-time position as the Solo-Flautist of the Bavarian Kurorchester Bad Fussing. He is also a Flautist with ensemble Solter Plus. During his career he has won many awards including prizes at the International Young Artists Competition of the Australian Flute Festival, 24th Australian Youth Classical Music Competition and awards from the Ian Potter Cultural Fund, PCCA Performer’s Trust and Australian Flute Society. Horn has performed concerts in Rome, Vienna and London.
Mitchell Cooper
He may have graduated in 2012 but Mitchell Cooper is still a regular at Grace Lutheran College’s Rothwell campus. The Australian discus thrower still visits the school to train at the discus net the college built for him while he was a student, with his dad as his coach. Cooper, a former Deception Bay Little Athlete, left the Peninsula after finishing Year 12 to student at Kansas University. He graduated in 2017 and returned home to Burpengary. He represented Australia at the 2014 IAAF World Junior Championships and at the 2017 World Championships in London. Cooper finished fifth at the 2018 Commonwealth Games with a throw of 60.4m. In July last year he won the Oceania Athletics Championships in Townsville. Cooper is currently training and working to earn a spot on the Australian Athletics team to compete at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. He also coaches at the Deception Bay Little Athletics Club.
Taylor McKeown
This talented Australian swimmer graduated from Grace Lutheran College in 2012. Taylor McKeown who has a Bachelor of Animal Ecology from University of the Sunshine Coast, won a gold medal in the 200m breaststroke at the 2014 Commonwealth Games. She picked up a silver in the 4 X 100m medley relay at the 2016 Olympics. She also competed in the 100m breaststroke, 200m breaststroke events – qualifying for the final and finishing in fifth.
Kiarra Walters
Graduated in 2015. Kiarra received a full Athletics Scholarship to the University of Montevallo and currently competes in the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletics Association) in the USA. Is a Nutrition and Exercise Science major at Montevallo. She competes in the 3000m, Mile and 5km cross country events.
Seth Telfer
Seth Telfer graduated in 2016. Mr Telfer is now a National Futsal Coach with the Australian Futsal Association and also played for the Australian Futsal team while in his senior years at Grace Lutheran College. He competed at the under-17 World Cup in 2016.
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