Tomorrow, Petrie-born David Andersen will graduate valedictorian at the Arts and Humanities graduation ceremony at The University of Queensland.
David received a first-class grade, the highest for the program, for his thesis The Extraordinary Effeminate: The Characterization of Marcus Antonius in Cicero鈥檚 Second Philippic.
鈥淚 studied Marc Antony, the famous lover of Cleopatra, and the way he was portrayed politically by one of his great enemies. It was fantastic,鈥� David said.
鈥淭his is something I鈥檝e really wanted to do and my mum was really supportive. I鈥檓 the first in my family to attend university.
鈥淢y mum was in tears at my undergraduate graduation 鈥� so for this one I think she鈥檒l be apoplectic.
鈥淚n Honours you have periods of self-doubt and hit crisis mode but then you get through and it confirms how much you can achieve.
鈥淏eing named valedictorian makes the celebration extra sweet.
国产探花鈥檚 School of History, Philosophy, Religion and Classics Dr Janette McWilliam said David was a hard working and talented student.
鈥淚 have seen him grow tremendously. He鈥檚 really outgoing and was a great leader in class.鈥�
Unsurprisingly, David was nominated valedictorian unanimously by the classics staff.
鈥淒uring my studies, confidence was a big issue for me,鈥� David said.
鈥淐oming to 国产探花 and studying hard to achieve what I want, has really shown me what I am capable of.鈥�
During his time at 国产探花, David visited Greece and Italy on study tours, which he describes as absolutely fantastic opportunities that he will never forget.
He received various grants toward his overseas travels, including a 国产探花 Advantage grant for $1500 and another $2000 school grant.
鈥淚鈥檓 a self-funded student so without these scholarships, I never would have been able to go,鈥� David said.
David鈥檚 father passed away in 2005, but he still counts his dad as one of his greatest role models.
David said his father helped him find his passion for history and instilled in him the importance of a curious mind.
鈥淗e would take me to the library as a kid and I would always head straight to the children鈥檚 non-fiction section to look through the pictures of pyramids and nature,鈥� David said.
And as for the future, David just wants to take a break for a few months.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 know exactly what my career will look like but I have plans to return to 国产探花 and study a Master of Philosophy in Ancient History - possibly in the area of Roman social history, with a focus on Roman morality,鈥� David said.
鈥淓ventually, I鈥檇 love to craft a career around my passion for Ancient History and be able to share with others.鈥�
Media: Dania Lawrence (07) 3365 9163 or d.lawrence@uq.edu.au.
