Founding VC to become USC’s first emeritus professor

The University of the Sunshine Coast (USC)is about to bestow a special honour on its founding vice-chancellor Paul Thomas AM, who retired in June last year. Thomas, who guided USC from inception to a thriving campus with more than 7,000 students in just 16 years, will become the University’s first emeritus professor. The achievement will be celebrated at one of two graduation ceremonies that will be held on Wednesday 20 April at the USC Sports Stadium. In 2007 he received a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) award for services to higher education and for the establishment of the University of the Sunshine Coast. In March he also became the first Australian vice-chancellor to receive the Asia-Pacific Chief Executive Leadership Award from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education.