USQ’s 2019 Spring Graduations were a joyful, and sometimes tearful occasion with four ceremonies in total held across USQ’s Toowoomba and Ipswich campuses on the 13th and 27th of September, respectively. Our four graduation speakers: Kerry Betros, Ian Stewart, Alicia Doherty, and Kris Isles – all USQ alumni themselves – used their talks to inspire our fresh batch of newly minted alumni to uphold USQ’s tradition of graduates who are outstanding in their fields.
Kerry Betros and Ian Stewart were the speakers at the Toowoomba graduations and were also awarded Honorary Degrees at the graduation ceremony, in recognition of their contributions to the community.
Ian Stewart, featured in an article in the last issue of Phoenix Rising, completed a bachelor of business at USQ in 1995, and is the former Queensland Police Service Commissioner. He was awarded Doctor of University for his contributions to the community, especially his work during times of emergency for the state, such as floods, cyclones, and fires.
Kerry Betros completed a Bachelor of Business at USQ (then the DDIAE) and is currently the Managing Director of the family business Betros Bros. In 1991 he became Director of Heritage Building Society, and remains the Chairman of Directors for Heritage Bank. He was awarded Doctor of Business for his lifelong dedication to furthering business and community within Toowoomba, Queensland and Australia.
This recognition is greatly deserved and we are proud of these amazing USQ alumni for achieving such outstanding accomplishments, and wish our brand new alumni to have similar successes into their futures.