Dressed in long robes and fancy hats, the graduates at the University of Newcastle on Wednesday had one thing in common.
Armed with years of study, they just want to help people.
The College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing students were the first of more than 1000 graduates to cross the stage at the Callaghan campus across three days from June 24 to June 26.
Baxter Pattison finished his Master's of Clinical Exercise Physiology and was excited to help people through exercise.
"I feel very proud, it has been a long journey to get here, but it was definitely worth it for the people I've met along the way," Mr Pattison said.
He started his university career studying engineering, before swapping to undergraduate sports science.
"We are looking at ways that we can help people with a variety of conditions actually participate in exercise to better their lives," he said.
Mr Pattison was now working a neurological rehab facility in Newcastle.
Fellow graduate Jennifer Pryor flew to Montreal, Canada, as soon as she finished her PhD in immunology and microbiology, but she made it back in time for her graduation ceremony.
"It feels really good to have it all be worth something," she said.
"It is nice to come back to where I started and celebrate the graduation."
Dr Pryor has been studying at the University of Newcastle since 2016, before moving to Canada for work six months ago.
She is completing further research on the microbiology of the gut.
"Everyone has personal experiences with gut problems so it is a very interesting place to delve into," she said.
PhD graduate Millicent West had her fan club turn up for Wednesday's ceremony.
Her friends, Renee Putney and Ashlee Reid, sported t-shirts with Dr West's face on them.
"We have never been prouder," Ms Putney said.
Dr West completed her doctorate in exercise and sports science after nine-and-a-half years of study across undergraduate and postgraduate.
"I'm feeling very relieved, I feel like this has been a long time coming," she said.
She was now working full-time with the NRL.
When thinking about her degree she said "hard work" was what came to mind.
"It's been a bit of a roller-coaster," she said.
"It gave me a passion for sport and a passion for science and numbers, and I just get to combine all that into one."
Vice-chancellor Alex Zelinsky congratulated all the graduates' achievements.
"Graduation is always an incredibly special milestone - not just for our students, but for their families and our staff," Professor Zelinsky said.
"It's a time to pause and celebrate every student's achievements as they embark on the next steps in their career," he said.
IN NEWS TODAY:
