2022 July graduations
UQ conferred 5400 students in July, including students who were unable to attend graduation ceremonies in 2020 and 2021. Get to know some of UQ's outstanding mid-year graduates in the stories below.
Netball star Gabi Simpson graduates as valedictorian
After 11 years of juggling the demands of an elite sporting career with study, Queensland Firebird Gabi Simpson has been acknowledged for her hard work and success, graduating from The University of Queensland as valedictorian.
Ms Simpson says her university journey was far from traditional.
Graduating with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours) at UQ’s School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Ms Simpson said she was surprised by the nomination, but extremely proud.
“The path I have taken to get to this point was in no way a traditional university journey, so to be acknowledged as valedictorian is a bit of a pinch me moment,” Ms Simpson said.
“I am beyond grateful for the opportunity to study and play netball at the same time, allowing me to stay grounded in a world where it’s so easy to get caught up in throwing all your eggs in one basket.”
Ms Simpson was nominated valedictorian for maintaining a high GPA in her physiotherapy studies, whilst managing elite sporting commitments.
The graduate with a thirst for success
Daniel Dunn was just 14-years-old when he started his first business.
Eight years and five business ventures later, the now 22-year-old graduated this month from the University of Queensland Bachelor of Advanced Business Honours.
“I always knew I wanted to study something related to business and I was lucky enough to be in the pilot cohort of the degree through the UQ Business School,” Mr Dunn said.
His first venture had been buying headphones online and selling them for a profit while in Year Nine at high school.
“I sold almost two thousand dollars’ worth and started a business club at school,” he said.
“I got a taste for it and before long had my next business idea – my own brand of power banks that I had made in a factory overseas.”
A chance elective leads to a career change
Naomi Sweasey has just begun her dream job.
The 20-year-old graduated this month from The University of Queensland with a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Criminology.
It helped her secure a position as Case Manager for Queensland Community Corrective Services.
“It’s not an environment a lot of people immediately choose to be in,” Ms Sweasey said.
“But it’s a job where I can use my skills to help people who really need it.”
The role requires Ms Sweasey to manage a case load of clients on parole and performing community service.
Dual degree graduate setting the bar high
Michaela Gyasi-Agyei has always had a love of learning.
The University of Queensland Bachelors of Economics / Laws (Honours) graduate remembers spending just a few weeks in Grade One at her Rockhampton primary school before she was moved to the grade above.
“I was a curious child, and from an early age I read widely about any area which interested me,” Ms Gyasi-Agyei said.
Born in Finland to Ghanaian parents, Ms Gyasi-Agyei arrived in Australia as a baby, living first in Adelaide and Rockhampton before the family settled in Brisbane.
“I finished primary school at Acacia Ridge State School and then went on to Mansfield State High School, which I loved,” she said.
Ms Gyasi-Agyei was a school captain in her senior year and involved in a program mentoring junior students.
“Those roles had a definite impact on me - being involved in public speaking and representing the student body,” she said.
A career in the country
It may have taken a decade, but Carissa Horsey has finally found her true calling.
The Ipswich born and raised Bachelor of Agricultural Science graduate didn’t think university was for her when she finished high school in 2011.
“I wanted to be a jillaroo and muster cattle,” said Miss Horsey.
“But, to make mum happy I flicked through the QTAC booklet and picked out what I thought looked interesting.”
“I was accepted into a Paramedic Science degree, but it wasn’t right for me”.
The 28-year-old decided to try her hand at farming and spent the next few years harvesting and packing on her uncle’s organic beetroot farm near Gatton in the Lockyer Valley.
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