Honorary award for the Honorable Member
Former head of the Federal Office of the Status of Women and new NSW Member for Goulburn, Pru Goward, will receive an honorary doctorate in business from CSU for her services to women and business. The former high school and university economics teacher spent 19 years with ABC television and radio as a political reporter and commentator and also worked a freelance writer. She has received a Centenary Medal for her services in journalism and women’s rights. Ms Goward will receive her CSU award at the Thursday afternoon ceremony.

Griffith first
An agreement between CSU and NSW TAFE Riverina Institute to increase tertiary education opportunities in the Griffith region of NSW reaches a milestone this week with the first graduates from the CSU Business degree that also studied with NSW TAFE Riverina Institute at its Griffith campus. “These graduates are very employable because they have TAFE applied learning and a university degree to use for further advancements in their professions or for post-graduate study,” said Head of CSU School of Business based in Albury-Wodonga, Associate Professor Michael O’Mullane. Five Griffith graduates are due to receive their awards at the Albury ceremony on Friday afternoon 27 April. A similar collaborative course in social work has been established by CSU and NSW TAFE Riverina Institute in Denniliquin. See release

Mature outlook
Tracey Hickmott returned to study as a mature-aged student after years of employed work after completing Year 10 at school. Tracey took to university, both academically and socially, like the proverbial duck to water and was involved in many groups, activities, field trips and even overseas exchange in USA. She shared her enthusiasm and knowledge with other students through her involvement with various student clubs, encouraging them to take advantage of the many opportunities afforded by CSU and the Border area. Tracey is currently employed in Broken Hill as a Graduate Environmental Officer for a large mining company. Tracey will graduate on Friday morning, 27 April.

Statistics wins
Abraham Botha’s career with the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) in Canberra depended on him completing his information technology degree with Charles Sturt University (CSU) in 2006. He commenced his career with the ABS client support desk, enabling him to assist other staff with IT problems and to develop new ways of working with IT. Abraham will graduate on Friday morning, 27 April.

Achieving life-long goal
Lisa Seberry came to university directly after completing year twelve with a clear goal to work as a park ranger. Lisa has also completed various work placements during her course, which she says have cemented her desire to work in the park management field. Lisa is currently completing an honours year at CSU assessing remote sensing techniques to detect woody vegetation thickening. Lisa will graduate on Friday morning, 27 April.

Gifted rewarded
A gifted student will be recognised for his achievements in science, receiving a degree in viticulture at the Friday morning ceremony in Albury. Gregory Valentine began his studies at CSU aged 13, and started a CSU wine science degree in high school, aged 14 years. He is currently completing his wine science degree, which he could not start until he reached 18 years, and his Honours year in viticulture. And much of this has been accomplished via distance education! Now aged 21, he plans to commence his studies for a research doctorate this year. His parents David and Martha have also completed studies with Charles Sturt University and will be part of the academic procession.