Graduating with a university medal is beyond most students' dreams. But Queensland University of Technology's David Priest will receive not one but two university medals when he graduates next week. (Thursday July 22)
David will receive a University Medal for both his undergraduate degrees, a Bachelor of Business and a Bachelor of Mathematics, having achieved a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 6.943 from a possible 7.
He will also graduate with Honours in Finance, and a perfect GPA of 7.
David is one more than 3000 students who will graduate from QUT at its mid-year ceremonies next week (July 20-22 ), including 120 who will be conferred with a PhD or professional doctorate.
University medals will also be presented to Patrick Glynn (Bachelor of Arts), Kian Ngo (Bachelor of Business) and Cameron Girgenti (Bachelor of Applied Science).
David, who lives at Mansfield on Brisbane's southside, will be joined at the ceremony by his older sister, Katie Priest, who will graduate with a Bachelor of Business (Accounting).
In graduating, the siblings will follow in the footsteps of their father Terry who studied electrical engineering at the then Queensland Institute of Technology (QIT).
David, who attended Mansfield State High School, said he had selected his areas of university study because he enjoyed maths and economics at school.
"It seemed like a good thing to do at uni," he said.
He was awarded a QUT Vice-Chancellor's Scholarship and later an honours scholarship, and augmented his income with maths tutoring.
David described his five years of study as "hard work" but said he balanced study with playing tennis and cricket.
He now works as an analyst with the Queensland Investment Corporation.
"I really enjoy it," he said. "Your days go really quickly - too quickly really."
Media contact: Elizabeth Allen, QUT media officer on 07 3138 4494 or e1.allen@qut.edu.au
* A high res pic of David Priest is available for use.
Note for news editors: Kian Ngo lives at Middle park; Patrick Glynn at Bridgeman Downs and Cameron Girgenti at Varsity Lakes.
