Jake Harrison is Bond University's 30,000th graduate. PICTURE: Cavan Flynn
Bond University reached a milestone of 30,000 graduates on February 5, three decades after the first student enrolled.
Gold Coaster Jake Harrison took his place in Bond history when he crossed the stage with a Bachelor of Actuarial Science during a graduation ceremony for the Bond Business School.
Mr Harrison was unaware of the milestone until shortly before he collected his degree.
“To be told right there on the spot before I got my degree was honestly really shocking.
“Coming to Bond and graduating is a great thing in itself, but to be the 30,000th graduate is just awesome,” he said.
Mr Harrison said actuarial science was a natural fit for him.
“I was pretty keen on maths when I was at school, and the career advisor suggested (actuary) might be something I would be interested in. I kind of had no idea what it was when I first started but loved it as soon as I got into it.”
Mr Harrison won’t have long to celebrate his graduation however – working life beckons, alongside a move south.
“I have a job down in Melbourne that I start in the middle of March, it’s a graduate role with Deloitte, so I’ll be heading down there to live and start my career.”
Mr Harrison joins fellow Bond alumni Tupou VI the king of Tonga, Olympic Gold medallist Melanie Wright and former Virgin Group Co-CEO David Baxby.
The very first student to enrol at Bond was Matthew Wiseman of Brisbane. Today he is national sales manager at Stratco Australia.