A Sippy Downs woman has been rewarded with a prestigious University Medal for achieving outstanding academic results in a degree she started 16 years after finishing high school.

New USC Commerce (Accounting) graduate Leonie Corr received the medal for her grade point average of 6.83 out of a perfect 7 when she was awarded her degree at a recent USC graduation ceremony.

The 40-year-old accountant, who grew up at Maroochydore and completed Year 12 at Suncoast Christian College, was also delighted to present the Graduate Address to hundreds of fellow students and academics at the ceremony.

“I began my university journey six years ago, as a 34-year-old independent mother-of-two with a desire to challenge myself,” she said.

“I chose the Bachelor of Commerce because I enjoyed my job as an accountant at Love & Partners, where I have worked since finishing school, and wanted to further my career.”

Ms Corr studied part-time, majoring in Accounting and minoring in Sociology and Human Resource Management.

Her awards included Highest Achieving First Year Accounting Student, Highest Achieving Third Year Accounting Student, and Highest Achieving Student for Management Accounting in 2015.

“Going to lectures at the Sippy Downs campus allowed me to juggle work and my responsibilities as a single mother, and I learned great time management and stress management skills,” she said.

“The lecturers were friendly and genuinely wanted students to succeed. As a mature-age student, I never felt out of place and I always had the resources I needed. I’m so glad I faced my fears and enrolled.”

Applications are now open for mid-year entry to study at USC, starting Semester 2 on 24 July. The USC website has details on how to apply for more than 90 undergraduate and postgraduate programs.

— Julie Schomberg