A desire to help others as a medical practitioner drew Caloundra’s Tom Rosenthal to USC’s Bachelor of Medical Science, and now he’s being helped by generous benefactors, awarded USC’s most prestigious scholarship – a Thompson Excellence Scholarship.

Tom, who graduated from Caloundra State High School last year with an OP1, and five other high-achieving USC first-year students were presented with Thompson Excellence Scholarships at a special ceremony at the University’s Art Gallery last week (13 March).

An aspiring radiologist, Tom will receive a total of $24,000 throughout his three-year degree thanks to a $5million donation made to USC by Roy and Nola Thompson in 2015.

“I am sincerely grateful to the Thompsons for the generous scholarship as it will support me financially throughout my degree,” Tom said.

“It means I’ll be able to reduce my hours at my part-time job and enable me to focus more on my university studies.”

Tom is one of just 20 students offered a place in USC’s Bachelor of Medical Science course, which offers a pathway in to studying medicine.

“I’m working to ensure that I achieve the academic requirements for direct entry in to Griffith University’s Doctor of Medicine program to achieve my career goal of becoming a radiologist,” he said.

“This scholarship really affords me the opportunity to fully commit to my studies while still having the time to be part of my sporting commitments in the community and of course spend quality time with my friends and family.”