SUMMER 2013
Student Award WINNER
Valedictorian James Graham giving his address
An exhaustive raft of academic and non-academic awards and titles speckled this alumni award winner’s time at Bond. JAMES Graham’s list of extra-curricular achievements while studying at the Gold Coast university is, quite simply outstanding. Accordingly he has been awarded the 2013 Alumni Student Award. He graduated from a Bachelor of Laws with first class honours and a Bachelor of Commerce in 2012. Graham says he decided to study at Bond because of its small community environment and close-knit culture. “For me, Bond was an interstate university, with a truly non-local culture and international culture.” The alumnus is currently working in investment banking in Sydney and has long-term aspirations to work in green technology, financing and commercial development. A deep intake of breath is required before reading out his positions at Bond as a student: Bond University Student Association President 2010 to 2011; Bond Investment Group President from March to December 2012; Resident Fellow of Bond University Residences Council from 2010 to 2012; Bond University Student Philanthropy Council Deputy Chair
10 www.arch.bond.edu.au
February to October 2010; Kununurra Youth Development Program team member from July to October 2012; and participant in the Oxfam Trail-Walker Challenge, April to August 2012. Bond’s culture was the main motivating factor for such depth of participation, says Graham. “The culture at Bond University motivates you to get much more out of the academic process and your time at university, particularly outside of the lecture theatre. “This experience taught me a great deal, more than could be seen on a CV or transcript.” Most important to the Alumni Student Award winner were the lasting relationships his leadership and involvement helped solidify. “If I had to pick the most rewarding aspect of my time there it would have to be my term as President of the Bond University Student Association (BUSA). “For me, it was the exceptional people I had the opportunity to work with, and learn from, that made this time particularly rewarding. “I worked with a very talented and
committed group, and we had a good time along the way. “I learned lessons from the experience of being a leader and being part of a team, and I am sure that these lessons will stay with me for some time to come,” he says. His academic trophy cabinet features the 2013 Bond University Minter Ellison Medal recognising all-round and academic performance, Graduating Class Valedictorian which recognises leadership and academic excellence and the Goldsworthy Prize, awarded to an undergraduate student graduating with the highest GPA in a major of any business discipline, among many others. Graham’s non-academic awards, such as the John Lessing Memorial Medal recognising spirit and collegiality within the Faculty of Law and the Kritin Bothra Award of academic achievement, involvement in university life and participation in student representation, equally impress. He is truly a model student whose lasting legacy and future career achievements will reflect impeccably on his alma mater for years to come.