The Lenz family | Powered by QUT

For the Lenz family, QUT isn’t just where they went to uni—it’s part of their story. Since graduating, they’ve ventured down their own paths in business, performing arts, and engineering. But no matter where their degree has taken them, QUT remains the thread that ties them together.

“Having started the QUT journey for the family, it is wonderful to reflect that each of them have derived significant benefit from graduating from QUT,” Chris says. “Our children have all lived and worked overseas and independently contributed to the community.”

With qualifications spanning three different faculties, each family member had their own reason for choosing QUT. Chris Lenz was already a practising civil engineer when he enrolled in a Bachelor of Laws at QUT in 1988, seeking “a good practical grounding” for his future profession.

“I think it's flexibility and the ‘can-do’ spirit that pervades QUT helped me to appreciate its value, particularly when I changed professions and then strengthened my business knowledge by doing my MBA at the business school,” Chris reflects. “It gave me the confidence to go out into my own engineering and construction law practice, and I think this example rubbed off on the children.”

Chris’ children found their own reasons to follow in their father’s footsteps. For John, QUT’s “inner-city campus, relevant course material, diverse student base, wonderful networking opportunities, and strong alumni connections” sealed the deal.

Over the course of their studies, each Lenz found moments that made their QUT experience uniquely memorable. For Otto, “Surviving Geotechnical Engineering 1” was a supreme achievement. Mary looks back fondly on Contract Law, one of the first units she studied, and on the great friends she made at the Gardens Point campus.

Her studies also left a lasting professional impact.

“Since graduating, my studies have influenced my working life considerably,” Mary says. “After a brief period working as a solicitor in Brisbane, my degree opened doors into a career as a C-Suite Executive Assistant in London. They later provided a strong foundation for small business. Understanding contracts and acquiring negotiation skills has been particularly helpful as a small business owner and service provider.”

As a mature-age student, their mother, Christine, recalls arriving at Z block for the first time and joining the stream of younger students heading into a lecture.

“I felt so proud and excited to think I could be part of this.”

Although their careers have taken them across the globe, the family remains closely connected. In March, the Lenz family reunited in Brisbane for Mary’s 40th birthday—their first time all together in years. When Christine emailed the QUT Alumni team regarding their upcoming family photoshoot, it sparked memories of the last time the family was featured in QUT’s alumni magazine, Links.

Back then, Christine shared that QUT gave her the confidence she felt was crucial as a mature-age student. She says it gave her the courage to chase her academic and professional aspirations.

“My confidence received an immense boost by attending QUT, I felt I could do anything I wanted and follow my dreams…In particular, I am proud of my positions in Queensland Health, for which my nursing degree was essential.”

Her daughter, Kate, shares a similar sentiment towards her studies.

“It was because of my MBA at QUT that I had the confidence to pursue my dream of changing careers from teaching to HR and working in Germany. I met so many inspiring leaders at QUT and was challenged by so many interesting and thought-provoking discussions with fellow students that on completion of my MBA I successfully moved countries and professions.”

“Being part of a multi-generational QUT family makes me proud,” says Kate, “Our parents have shown us, by example, the importance of education and that switching careers, also at a later stage in life, is possible.”

Her siblings have also taken their QUT degree overseas, and John still lives in London today.

“I founded and run a boutique recruitment firm specialising in international real estate. We recruit for investment banks, private equity firms, funds, pension and insurance companies, developers and the like. Studying at QUT helped me early on to develop the necessary skills and confidence to run my own business.”

Back in their 2011 interview, Otto shared that QUT’s hands-on approach was what drew him to engineering. Looking back now, that practical foundation proved essential for his own global career.

“I have over 10 years in civil engineering construction now and have worked on some of the most interesting and challenging engineering projects all over the world. QUT was pivotal in both broadening my outlook and getting established in a practical career.”

Each with a different set of experiences under their belt, the family have plenty of advice for future students, especially if another generation of Lenzes decides to carry the QUT torch.

Chris: “Immerse yourselves in the whole experience, and always be grateful for the opportunity to study, and realise how little you know.”

Christine: “I am hopeful that our next family generation will continue the legacy that we have begun as a family, and I would recommend QUT as an amazing launching pad for future endeavours.”

Kate: “The world is your oyster! Have a go, and don’t feel limited to one career path, one country or one culture! Studying an MBA once you have some experience under your belt can be life-changing and certainly helped me to make things happen!”

John: “Get internships during the holidays. Combine the fabulous education with real-life experience in your chosen field – a lethal combination. Do an international placement year abroad. Don’t drink so much during term time! And stay connected to fellow students once you’ve completed your degree.”

Reflecting on their shared experiences and unique journeys, John sums it up well: “It’s pretty cool. Albeit it means I’m getting slightly older! God forbid, if/when my son was to study at QUT, I would feel ancient”

Or as Otto simply puts it, “It is both surreal and wholesome to share in this inadvertent legacy of QUT Lenzes.”

The Lenz family

QUT degrees— Bachelor of Laws 1988 and Master of Business Administration 2003 (Chris), Bachelor of Nursing 2002 (Christine), Bachelor of Laws 2002 (Mary), Master of Business Administration 2010 (Kate), Bachelor of Business 2000 (John), Bachelor of Engineering 2010 (Otto)