Charles Sturt University (CSU) will hold its largest graduation ceremony for 2014 on Wednesday morning, 14 May.

More than 1 350 graduates will be eligible to receive their doctorates, degrees, diplomas and certificates from the CSU Deputy Chancellor Kathryn Pitkin. Their courses are offered by CSU's School of Policing Studies, based in Goulburn, and Australian Graduate School of Policing and Security, in Manly, which are part of the University's Faculty of Arts.  CSU is the world's largest provider of tertiary education for policing and security services, with students educated face-to-face and by distance education worldwide.

More than 150 graduates and about 500 guests are expected to attend the ceremony, which is due to begin at 10.30 am in the Camden Civic Centre in Oxley Street, Camden, Sydney.

The occasional address will be presented by Professor David Widdowson, CEO of the University's Centre for Customs and Excise Studies in Canberra, while the vote of thanks on behalf of the graduating students will be given by Mr David Cahill.

Stories of interest from the ceremony include:

Major academic awards: Constable Zoe Ryan won the Bev Lawson Award.

Father and son on fire

Apart from being father and son, Gary and Trevor Kendall have had much more in common in recent years, as they will both graduate with a Graduate Certificate in Fire Investigation from CSU's Australian Graduate School of Policing and Security. Father Trevor, who lives in South Australia, will join his son Gary, who lives in Darwin and works for the Northern Territory Fire Service, at the Sydney ceremony which completes a pact they made when they commenced the course. "Gary only agreed to do the course if did it," said 72-year-old Trevor. Both previously worked together in the Alice Springs Bushfire Brigade.

International focus for NZ policeman

Former New Zealand detective Peter Marshall completed his Master of Leadership and Management (Policing) at CSU and is now seeking employment with the United Nations. Married with two children, Mr Marshall enjoyed the flexibility offered through distance education and was particularly encouraged when he learned CSU offered credits for prior studies and experience. "The course was great. I gained a greater understanding of strategic and tactical levels of policing, as well as skills in written communication, analytical thinking, research and critical analysis. I now have the tools to follow a range of new careers," Mr Marshall said. He and his family will attend the Camden ceremony on 14 May.

Rising to the challenge

Canadian Rob Hagarty completed his Bachelor of Policing with CSU via distance education over 2 and a half years. And life certainly threw challenges at him during the course, during which he was on an United Nations (UN) Mission in South Sudan. "During my first six months I had some health issues and very limited access to the Internet but received help from the University and other UN agencies. And it took me three days to fly from Juba in South Sudan to Cairo, Dubai, Singapore and finally Sydney to take part in a residential session for my course," said Sergeant Hagarty. The 52 year old from Ottawa, who is married with two adult daughters, said he enjoyed the course and it was everything he expected. "I found the course helped my current work, as many courses were as relevant here in Canada as they are in Australia," he said, "I did not do the course to further my career, it was for me. I was looking for a challenge, and I certainly got it!" Mr Hagarty will not attend the graduation ceremony in Camden as he is attending his own daughter's graduation in Canada.

Open to the world of policing

Police education has changed. When Paul Renouf joined the then Royal Hong Kong Police in 1984, he did not expect to complete a bachelor degree in police investigations by distance education with Australia's Charles Sturt University. "This course certainly opened my eyes and made me look at my day-to-day work differently. It was my first degree course, and it helped me understand that policing is very similar the world over, with police men and women facing the same rewards, challenges and problems," said Superintendent Renouf, who is hoping to complete more courses in policing, including overseas courses. "I recommend the course to other police officers regardless of rank or service. It opens your eyes to thinking behind modern policing which help us do our jobs better." Superintendent Renouf will not attend the graduation ceremony.