6 February 2017: Australian basketball star and University of Canberra alumna Marianna Tolo will discuss the importance of a university education when she delivers the 2017 Commencement Address TOMORROW as part of Orientation Week.
O-Week is designed to help students settle into university life and prepare for study. Other activities and events on offer include course advice sessions, campus tours, market days and a barbeque complete with backyard cricket and a slip-n-slide.
Tolo graduated from the University in 2012 with a degree in sports coaching and exercise science. She is currently co-captain of the University of Canberra Capitals and was part of the Australian Opals team that competed at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games.
The 27-year-old said she was honoured to be invited to speak to the University’s new and returning students.
“I loved my time at UC — it played a big part in developing who I am as a person and as an athlete,” she said.
“It’s been really important for me to keep learning throughout my career as I know competing at elite levels in sport can be precarious. I’m confident that my degree and the skills I learnt at university will prepare me well for life after basketball, whenever that may be.”
In her address, Tolo will encourage new students to attend as many activities as they can, something she had limited time to fit into her training and playing schedule.
“Get your textbooks early, get help organising your timetable if you need it, then enjoy getting to know the campus and meeting fellow students — they could end up being lifelong friends,” she said.
Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Deep Saini said he was delighted to welcome new and returning students to campus.
“Welcoming students to the University is one of my favourite times in the calendar year. There’s a special excitement in the air with our students starting or advancing their tertiary education year.
“Our new student accommodation UC Lodge opened its doors in time for Semester One, while our Medical Radiation Science Laboratory officially opened last week,” he said. “It’s a great time to be starting your degree at the University of Canberra.”
The University will welcome more than 11,700 students as part of O-Week. Some of the events happening on campus are listed below. For more information visit http://www.canberra.edu.au/current-students/canberra-students/orientation
Classes start on Monday 13 February.
Tuesday 7 February
10.30am-12.30pm Commencement ceremony, Refectory
1.00pm-3.00pm Aussie BBQ, backyard cricket and slip-n-slide, Concourse
2.00pm-3.00pm Speed friending, Concourse (runs all week, various times and locations)
7.00pm-9.00pm Trivia night, The Well
Wednesday 8 February
9.00am-5.00pm Welcome lounge: relax and recharge with beanbags and coffee and hear about support services available in our pop-up over popcorn series. Make new friends over air hockey, giant Jenga and Connect 4, Student Central (runs all week, various times)
10.00am-11.30am Amazing race, starts at The Well
10.00am-3.00pm Market Day, Refectory
11.00am-1.00pm 2017 UC Book of the Year author panel discussion: meet Andrew McGahan and hear him read from and discuss his book The White Earth, Student Central
1.30pm-2.30pm Get your copy of The White Earth signed by author Andrew McGahan, Refectory
Thursday 9 February
11.00am-12.00pm Donuts and chill, Concourse
2.00pm-4.00pm Touch football, Oval 1
Contact the University of Canberra media team:
Claudia Doman: 0408 826 362
Amanda Jones 0409 140 415