A man who has played a critical role in normalising relations between the United States and Vietnam will be honoured by Charles Sturt University (CSU) during three days of graduation ceremonies in Wagga Wagga.

 

The first US Ambassador to Vietnam since the end of the Vietnam War, Douglas Brian “Pete” Peterson, who as a US Air Force pilot spent six and a half years as a prisoner of war in Vietnam, will receive an Honorary Doctorate from Charles Sturt University at a ceremony commencing at 10.30am, Wednesday 5 April 2006.

 

Ambassador Peterson was a POW in Vietnam from 1966 to 1973, served three terms in the US Congress from 1990, served as the US Ambassador to Vietnam from 1997 to 2001 during which he witnessed the historic signing of the US-Vietnam Bilateral Trade Agreement in 2000.

 

In the same year, US President Bill Clinton awarded Ambassador Peterson the Presidential Citizens Medal for his “selfless and inspiring service” and his “unwavering devotion to duty, honour, and country”. In recognition of his humanitarian work, the Vietnamese Red Cross also presented Ambassador Peterson its highest merit award in 2000.

 

“Pete Peterson has demonstrated throughout his life a great sense of social justice and humanitarianism at the international and local level. Charles Sturt University is pleased to recognise and honour these achievements through the award of our Honorary Doctorate,” said CSU Vice-Chancellor Professor Ian Goulter.  

 

Ambassador Peterson is continuing his humanitarian work through The Alliance for Safe Children. Based in Bangkok and Melbourne, the foundation was established by Pete Peterson and his wife to reduce childhood injuries from preventable accidents in developing countries.

 

The University will also present the award of Companion of the University to Ian Dean from 10.30am on Thursday 6 April 2006 for his long association with CSU and his strong support of the pharmacy program at CSU and its aims to educate and retain pharmacists for rural and regional Australia.

 

Click here to see Professor Kemmis' occassional graduation speech.

 

 

 

 

Almost 2 200 graduates from the Faculties of Arts, Commerce, Education, Health Studies and Science & Agriculture will receive their undergraduate and postgraduate degrees during six ceremonies in Joyes Hall, CSU, Wagga Wagga from 10.30am and 2.30pm on Wednesday 5 April, Thursday 6 April and Friday 7 April 2006.

 

Three graduates will receive University Medals for their outstanding academic achievements throughout the three days of ceremonies.