Griffith University has awarded honorary doctorates to six high achieving individuals at graduation ceremonies in Brisbane and the Gold Coast this week, celebrating remarkable accomplishments and contributions to society.
Australian Paralympic athlete Madison de Rozario OAM was awarded an honorary doctorate for her tireless dedication to advancing parasport, disability equity, advocacy and gender equality within the University and the broader community.
Through her advocacy as ambassador with Griffith’s Inclusive Futures: Reimagining Disability, Ms de Rozario worked to highlight systemic barriers experienced by female athletes, and championed equal pay, access to resources and representation in leadership roles.
Ms de Rozario’s work on and off the athletic field has formed an enduring global legacy and has provided inspiration for future generations around the world.
“It’s a huge honour to receive an honorary doctorate from Griffith,” Ms de Rozario said.
“So much focus is required to be an athlete, and it can be an overwhelming identity, but one that I love and I don’t take for granted.
“I put a great deal of effort in being part of my communities, and this achievement brings all my efforts together.
“Griffith has been a huge part of my life and my identity, initially as a student and then through my career, and receiving this honorary doctorate from my university adds so much value for me.”
The four-time Paralympian and World Champion made her debut as the youngest athlete on the Australian Paralympic team at the Beijing 2008 Games, and since then, Ms de Rozario has built a sporting career brimming with accolades, including:
- 2020 Paralympics Australia Athlete of the Year
- 2024 Paris Paralympics opening ceremony flag bearer
- Won six medals at the 2024 Paris Paralympics, including two gold medals
- Held world records in the Women’s 800m T53 and Women’s 1500m T53
- 2018 Cosmopolitan Women of the Year Awards – Sportswoman of the Year Award
- Immortalised in the ‘Barbie Role Models’ collection Mattel in 2020
2024 Honorary Doctorate recipients
Mr Michael Cassel AM received an Honorary Doctorate for distinguished service to the Arts, particularly Musical Theatre. As a multi-award-winning musical theatre producer, Mr Cassel was responsible for some of the world’s greatest theatrical productions and live entertainment events including Hamilton, Kinky Boots, and Australia’s longest running main-stage play, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.
Mrs Anne Jamieson-Abedian received an Honorary Doctorate for distinguished service to the University, particularly her impactful business, philanthropic and community leadership on the Gold Coast. Mrs Jamieson-Abedian co-founded the Abedian Foundation, which delivered more than $6 million to fund educational facilities, resources, and scholarships for students in need. Mrs Jamieson-Abedian is a warm, generous and principled person who has helped thousands of people over many years. The University has been a recipient of the generous benefactors of their funding of the Brighter Futures Scholarships at Griffith.
Mr Ian Langdon OAM received an Honorary Doctorate for distinguished service to Health, the Community and Primary Industry. As a founding Chair of the Gold Coast Health Board, Mr Langdon led the development of the Gold Coast University Hospital campus, which was the largest planned hospital move in Australian history. Mr Langdon was the inaugural Dean of Griffith Business School.
Professor Paul Anastas received an Honorary Doctorate for distinguished service to the field of Green Chemistry and Engineering. As Chief Scientist at the US Environmental Protection Agency under the Obama Administration, Professor Anastas provided leadership in critical environmental crises including the Fukushima nuclear incident in Japan and major oil spills.
Professor John Warner received an Honorary Doctorate for distinguished service to the field of Green Chemistry and Engineering. As an industrial chemist, Professor Warner has received multiple international awards including the Wilhelm von Hofmann Medal from the German Chemical Society.
Together, Professor Anastas and Professor Warner co-authored a book that articulated the 12 Principles of Green Chemistry which has made a profound paradigm change in chemical industry and chemistry education.
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Madison de Rozario
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