Hundreds of graduates celebrate from across Warwickshire and Worcestershire
Hundreds of graduates from across Warwickshire and Worcestershire celebrated their successes in a pair of graduation ceremonies with a historic backdrop.
Warwickshire College and University Centre (WCUC) saw more than 160 graduates accompanied by their families and friends head to Warwick to mark the completion of their degrees with the university centre.
WCUC is the Higher Education arm of college group WCG and the two ceremonies saw students from Royal Leamington Spa College, Rugby College, Moreton Morrell College and Pershore College graduating.
The day saw the university centre take over Warwick Castle, where graduates were gowned and had photos, before making the short walk to the historic St Mary’s Church for the graduation ceremonies.
Both ceremonies opened with an address from Gill Clipson MBE, Chair of the Corporation Board for WCG, before Angela Joyce, CEO of WCG, addressed the graduates and their guests.
May Parsons, Associate Chief Nurse Director for Governance, Risk and Compliance at Buckinghamshire Healthcare Trust gave the keynote speech for the first ceremony.
She came to worldwide fame when she delivered the first Covid-19 vaccine outside of clinical trials in December 2020 in Coventry.
May Parsons said: “After graduating, the world is truly there for today’s graduates to take, to own that space, to grow and to make a positive impact in their communities and the lives of people around them.
“I hope that I was able to inspire the students to continue on with their education and grab all the opportunities they can, while facing challenges with integrity and remaining true to themselves.”
The second ceremony saw Nik Spencer, an entrepreneur and founder of the HERU and former student at Moreton Morrell College, receive a Fellowship from WCUC.
Katie Jones, BA (Hons) Graphic Design with Photography, and Daniel Priest BA (Hons) Early Years, Childhood and Education Studies, delivered the student vote of thanks at the ceremonies.
Led by a knight on horseback, graduates processed from the church through Warwick and back to the castle for a celebratory drink’s reception in the Great Hall at Warwick Castle.
The graduates came from a wide range of courses, including Business, Counselling and Psychotherapy, Early Years, Computing, Performing Arts, Engineering, Agritech, Equine Therapy and Rehabilitation, Veterinary Physiotherapy, Veterinary Nursing and many more.
WCG CEO Angela Joyce added: “Graduation is an end and a beginning, it is the celebration of the achievement of an ambition, but it’s also the start of a new chapter for graduates as they head into new careers and directions which may not have been possible before starting their studies.
“St Mary’s Church and Warwick Castle provided a magnificent backdrop for this very special occasion and it was the perfect opportunity to celebrate the hard work, dedication and commitment of our graduates.
“I would like to congratulate all of our graduates and wish them the very best for their future.”
In 2021, WCG became the first college in the UK to be granted Bachelor degree awarding powers by the Office for Students, alongside its existing Foundation degree awarding powers.
WCUC offers higher education courses in a wide range of subjects through full time and part-time options. To find out more visit www.wcuc.ac.uk
