Golden celebration for Grasso family

For one family, the University of Adelaide is home to three generations of achievers.

Rosario Grasso first graduated from Adelaide in 1954 with a degree in Science and last month celebrated the Golden Jubilee of his graduation at a ceremony in Bonython Hall.

After 1954, Rosario went on to study Honours and then Masters in Science (graduating in 1961) and later followed a career as a geologist. He worked for Geosurveys of Australia Ltd for seven years, a company specialising in South Australian geology, mineralisation and natural resources, and was also a consultant for Fitzpatrick, Johnson and Associates Pty Ltd for two years before becoming a freelance Geological Consultant.

The tradition of education continued for the Grasso family with Rosario's son, Alfio, who graduated from the University of Adelaide in 1979 with a Bachelor of Science (Mathematical Sciences) and 1980 with a Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) in Electrical Engineering, and now Alfio's sons are also studying at Adelaide. Anthony is in his final year of a Bachelor of Biotechnology and David is in his first year of Mathematical Sciences.

"I am very proud that my grandsons chose to study at Adelaide," Rosario said. "I'm as proud as a father and grandfather can be."

This year also marks Alfio's Silver Jubilee, having graduated from Adelaide 25 years after his father, and he has rejoined the university, working as a Research Associate in the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering.

Rosario said the Golden Jubilee brought back a lot of memories of his graduation day 50 years ago.

"I enjoyed the ceremony very much," he said.

Although Rosario has many memories of his uni days, a few in particular stand out.

"I had a marvellous time at Adelaide," Rosario said. "It was a lot of hard work but I made many good friends.

"My favourite memory was meeting all the people and especially being a student in Professor Douglas Mawson's last class before his retirement," he said.

Rosario said he has definitely seen many changes at the university from when he was a student.

"University was nothing like it is today. The sheer number of people; classes were a more private affair, and we all had to come to university in suits!"

Story by Natalie De Nadai