After years of hard work and dedication, 81 students - including one PhD candidate - from La Trobe University's Shepparton campus are set to graduate in a ceremony at the Riverlinks Eastbank Centre on Monday.
The ceremony will see the graduands - along with a further 23 graduating in absentia - celebrate the completion of a wide range of courses, including Business, Social Work, Nursing and Education.
La Trobe's Shepparton campus has a diverse cohort of students, with around 14 per cent of students born in a country other than Australia. The University is committed to providing students in the region with a world-class education delivered locally, with strong connections to the community and local industry.
La Trobe Vice-Chancellor Professor John Dewar AO said he was delighted to see Shepparton students marking this major milestone.
"It's wonderful to celebrate the achievements of our Shepparton students, whose resilience and commitment have paid off after a challenging few years," Professor Dewar said.
"We know that the majority of students graduating today will stay in regional communities to live and work, and we are particularly proud to support students from diverse nationalities and cultures to study locally and contribute to thriving regional centres like Shepparton."
Shepparton Head of Campus, Elizabeth Capp, said it was wonderful to celebrate with students and to see La Trobe making a difference in regional communities.
"We know our campus plays an important role in ensuring more regional students have access to higher education, with students from a wide range of backgrounds graduating today," Ms Capp said.
"Our graduates include TAFE pathway students, Indigenous students, students from multicultural backgrounds, and many who are the first in their family to attend university," Ms Capp said.
Ms Capp said it was an exciting time for the campus, and the community.
"With upcoming plans for a $10.5 million redevelopment of our campus, including more high-tech clinical teaching spaces, modern study areas, and flexible spaces for community events, we will be able to support even more students to pursue their studies here, addressing local workforce and community needs," Ms Capp said.
In addition to those graduating in Shepparton this week, almost 1000 La Trobe students have already graduated this month in Bendigo, Albury-Wodonga and Mildura.
