Graduands from the Faculty of Law, Faculty of Society & Design and the Transformation CoLab gathered under glorious winter sunshine for Bond University’s 232 Graduation ceremonies on Thursday.
Over two days, 483 awards were conferred upon 468 people and there have now been 32,999 Bond University graduates since 1989.
The most common award was Doctor of Physiotherapy (66) and more postgraduate awards were conferred than undergraduate awards (312 versus 156).
The Society & Design and Transformation CoLab Valedictorian was Taran Vardon, a graduate of the Transformation CoLab program.
“I truly believe that it was my opportunities and experiences here at Bond that helped me to secure the graduate position in the transformation team of an international digital consulting company,” Mr Vardon said.
“I want to remind you that the great leaders – innovators, entrepreneurs, thinkers, scientists, activists and creators - were not remembered because they sat down and twiddled away, fitting into societal moulds and doing the same thing that others had done before.
“No, they stood out and did something truly extraordinary. They leapt into the unknown and did something new that revolutionised the world.”
Law Valedictorian Alice Warner began her speech by recognising Indigenous Australians.
“(They) were Australia's very first advocates and we should recognise the importance the law plays in reconciliation, and as law graduates endeavour to make Australia's legal system more equitable.”
Ms Warner, who studied a double degree in Law and International Relations through the pandemic, said the experience had helped prepare her for her career.
“Our resilience through unprecedented times has shown that we have the skills and attributes to not only handle the rapidly changing legal environment but to advocate for the change that our legal system requires.”
