Wynnum’s Joshua Dean has swapped one beachside location for another to study a Bachelor of Medical Science (Accelerated) at the University of the Sunshine Coast, with the assistance of USC’s highest scholarship honour.

A 2018 graduate of Brisbane Bayside State College, Joshua was one of six high-achieving USC students to be presented with a Thompson Excellence Scholarship at a special ceremony at the university’s Art Gallery last week (13 March).

Joshua, who hopes to make a career out of practicing medicine, will receive a total of $24,000 throughout his degree that he plans to complete in two years instead of three.

The scholarship program is made possible through a $5million donation bequeathed to USC by Roy and Nola Thompson in 2015.

“I invested a lot of time and effort in to my high school studies and managed to achieve an OP1,” Joshua said.

“This opened up a lot of opportunities and provided me with the freedom to study at almost any undergraduate-supported institute of education.

“After carefully reviewing my options I decided to accept an offer at USC as they were able to provide me with the best degree opportunity.

“Receiving the Thompson Excellence Scholarship means a lot to me as it gives me the opportunity to pursue my studies without any significant financial burden.”

Joshua moved to Brisbane with his family from Germany when he was nine-years-old, and is also interested in politics, philosophy and recreational card games.

“My family is extremely proud and thankful to the Thompsons who made this all possible,” he said.

“I’m tremendously grateful and honoured to receive the scholarship and very much enjoyed meeting Mr and Mrs Thompson at the presentation.”