Deakin awards degree to 250,000th graduate

DEAKIN celebrated its 250,000th graduate last week, a promising moment for one of Australia’s most highly ranked institutions.

Bachelor of Nursing student Sophie Macfarlane was awarded the university’s breakthrough degree at Deakin’s Geelong Waterfront campus before delivering the graduates address on Tuesday June 18.

Deakin Vice-Chancellor Professor Jane den Hollander AO said the university had welcomed a surge in growth and community support in recent years, having only commemorated its 200,000th graduate in 2014.

“Deakin’s students are our greatest advocates, and we are delighted to have now helped 250,000 people realise their academic dreams,” Professor den Hollander said.

“For generations universities have been both a compelling indicator and a powerful instrument for human progress. We at Deakin are proud of Sophie, her fellow graduates and all of the Deakin students who have joined our University community.

“It has been a privilege to be part of their education, and I encourage all of our graduates to remember the values they have learnt during their time with us, to be a force for good and show the world that Deakin has helped them to become the very best they can be.”

Over 1,000 students crossed the stage at the winter series of graduations last week.