For the second year running, BEL alumni led the pack at the annual UQ Alumni Awards, securing eight of the 17 top honours.
The 2016 awards recognised alumni who have excelled in their professions and helped create change in the local or wider community.
Renowned economist Professor Ian Harper was one of four BEL alumni to pick up a prestigious Vice-Chancellor’s Alumni Excellence Award. He joined the ranks of previous recipients such as the Governor of Queensland, His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC QC.
BEL alumni were also successful in the Distinguished Young Alumni, Colleges’ UQ Alumni and Alumni Friends UQ Graduate of the Year categories.
Acting BEL Faculty Executive Dean, Professor Andrew Griffiths, said the result was “inspiring”.
“Our alumni are at the top of their game,” he said.
“I’m proud to represent a Faculty that cultivates high-achieving, community-minded graduates who are keen to stay connected with UQ and BEL.”
The award recipients were nominated by their peers and selected by a committee led by UQ Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Peter Høj.
All recipients will be honoured at UQ’s Courting the Greats ceremony on 19 October.
Congratulations to the following BEL alumni award winners:
Vice-Chancellor’s Alumni Excellence Awards
Mr Greg Vickery AO – Bachelor of Laws 1969
Mr Vickery is Special Counsel at legal firm Norton Rose Fulbright. He is a former president of the Queensland Law Society and a generous humanitarian with more than 40 years of service to the Red Cross.
Mr Greg Minton – Bachelor of Economics 1989
Mr Minton is a private equity specialist and an enthusiastic mentor. He is a former Managing Partner with leading private equity firm, Archer Capital.
Emeritus Professor Ian Harper – Bachelor of Economics 1977, Bachelor of Economics (Honours) 1978
Professor Harper is one of Australia’s best known economists and a Reserve Bank of Australia board member.
Ms Marie Myers – Bachelor of Economics 1988
Ms Myers is the Senior Vice-President of Finance for HP Inc. (Hewlett Packard) in Houston, Texas, overseeing the company’s financial operations in the US, Canada and Latin America. She is an expert in global information technology, finance and business development.
Distinguished Young Alumni Awards
Mr Michael Fox – Bachelor of Commerce 2001, Bachelor of Laws 2003
Mr Fox is an entrepreneur and co-founder of the award-winning online store, Shoes of Prey.
Mr Mike Knapp – Bachelor of Laws 2003
Mr Knapp is the co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of online shoe retailer, Shoes of Prey.
Alumni Friends UQ Graduate of the Year (2016) Award
Mr Gabriel Perry – Bachelor of Laws (Honours) 2015
Mr Perry graduated with First Class Honours and was a University Medal winner. He was a volunteer at the UQ Pro Bono Centre.
Colleges’ UQ Alumni Award
Dr Heather Smith PSM – Bachelor of Economics 1986
Dr Smith is the Secretary of the Department of Communications and Arts in the Australian Federal Government. She was Australia’s Sherpa for the G20 summit in Brisbane and is a former resident at Emmanuel College.
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