Print this pageGraduation 2008
MORE STUDENTS THAN EVER GRADUATE FROM UCY
The University Centre
Yeovil has celebrated its most successful year ever as more than 350
students graduated from a range of university-level courses provided by
the Centre, an increase of more than 50 on last year. So many
students graduated this year that two ceremonies had to take place on
Friday 24th October rather than just the traditional one.
More than 1000 students, staff, dignitaries and guests attended the
event at the Octagon
Theatre.
10 UCY students achieved the highest accolade of
First Class Honours degrees in subjects including BA (Hons) English
with History, BSc Hons Sustainable Graphics and Packaging and BSc
(Hons) Nursing (Adult Branch). All of these courses are
validated by Bournemouth University.
In
all, students graduated in 49 different qualifications, including full
Honours degrees, Foundation degrees, Higher Education and Professional
Certificates and Diplomas in a wide range of subjects including
Nursing, Computer Aided Design, Sustainable Graphics and Packaging,
Sports Development and Coaching, Early Years, Education Support,
Contemporary Theatre Practice, Contemporary Fine Art, Business and
Management, Project Management, Teaching, Accounting, Marketing and
more.
A number of awards were also handed out to
this year's outstanding students, including a first for UCY.
The Bournemouth University Partner Institution Outstanding Student
Award was presented for the first time this year. Awarded to
the best final first year student on a Bournemouth University programme
and was won by April Cusons, graduate of the BA (Hons) History with
English course at the UCY. The UCY's own Outstanding
Achievement award was presented to two students in recognition of their
exceptional achievement despite challenging circumstances.
They were Peter Nailor, who studied FdA Health and Social Care, and
Michael Gilham, graduate of the FdA in Project Management.
The Ted Wragg Award for Outstanding Trainees went to Claire Theobald,
who completed her PGCE teaching degree this year.
The annual Harry Livingstone Award for Management Excellence
was presented to Richard Pearce, who completed an EDEXCEL Professional
Certificate in Management Studies. The award recognises
outstanding achievement by a Business and Management student and is
presented in memory of Harry Livingstone by the Yeovil and District
Branch of the Chartered Management Institute.
A pleasantly surprised Mr Pearce said
"I'd been away from education for a long time and was initially full of
trepidation about going back to it at this stage. I chose UCY
because the course flexibility fitted in with my work and my learning
style. The quality of the course and the lecturing meant that
I could capitalise on my ability and compound the business knowledge
I've gained during my career. I'm particularly delighted
because this is the second time I've stood on this grass this year –
once as a graduate and once as a bridegroom!"
The 2008
Honorary Fellowship was given to Professor Bryan Brown. A
Higher Education professional for 35 years, Professor Brown retired in
2006 following a distinguished career in the sector.
Professor Brown said "I'm very pleased to be
invited to be a fellow and re-establish contact with Yeovil College.
I originally came here 20 years ago to look at Higher Education
delivery in a Further Education setting as a way of enhancing local
opportunities for those unable to leave the area to study on a full
time basis. 10 years later, we began looking at a new and
innovative structure which developed into the UCY. Back then,
the aim was to support 1000 students – the UCY has already exceeded
this target. It's very gratifying to see the project come to
fruition and great to be involved."
Special guests
attending to celebrate the students' success included the Chairman of
South Somerset District Council Cllr Ian Martin, , the Mayor and Escort
Cllr Wes Read and Mrs Trudie Read, Cllr A Horsfall, who represented the
Leader Somerset County Council, and previous UCY fellow David Laws, MP
for Yeovil. Mr Laws said "Education is one of my great
passions and I believe that it is hugely important and liberating for
people of all ages. I am delighted by the way Yeovil College
has expanded in terms of its 16+, HE and Vocational
provision."
Conferring officers from the UCY's
partner universities, current UCY fellows, the Yeovil College Principal
James Hampton and senior College management representatives and
academic teaching staff also played key roles on the
day.
James Hampton, Principal of Yeovil College,
said "I've talked in the past about how UCY is developing a tradition
of celebrating high quality university education in South Somerset and
North and West Dorset. Looking at the number of graduates
here today, I no longer think we are developing a tradition, I think
that we have firmly established it. We have seen an
outstanding array of talented students here today and I believe they
will go on to make a real contribution to our society, culture and
economy."
… ENDS
Photographs
show:
Photo 1 – UCY graduates celebrate their
achievements.
Photo 2 – Dignitaries and special
guests at the UCY graduation ceremony, including this year's fellow,
Professor Bryan Brown (far left), the 2007 Fellowship recipient, David
Laws MP (third from left), Dr Brian Astin, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of
Bournemouth University, Yeovil College Principal James Hampton and Cllr
Wes Read, Mayor of Yeovil (centre).
Photo 3 -
Richard Pearce, recipient of the Harry Livingstone award.
Photo 4 – Professor Bryan Brown, recipient of this
year's fellowship, with Yeovil College Corporation chair Linda
Jones.
The UCY is a partnership
between Yeovil College, Bournemouth University and the University of
Exeter to provide inspirational learning opportunities within the heart
of Somerset. The UCY with its own high quality campus and
building is located just off Preston road in Yeovil. Last
year, a further 1 million pound investment extended the facilities for
students such as the open IT access area, café and teaching
spaces. The building contains 17 teaching rooms, a 100 seat
lecture theatre, Apple Mac design suite and 3 state of the art PC
suites. UCY students are also able to use the study and
sports facilities at Yeovil College. Our aim is to provide
people with the chance to fulfil their full potential and gain a work
related university qualification. Most of our courses allow
students to retain significant levels of employment and promote a
flexible approach to allow part time as well as full time
study. In 2008, the UCY reached its target of recording over
1000 students working towards a variety of degree level
programmes.
Bournemouth University Partner
Institution Outstanding Student Award was awarded for the first time
this year and is a Bournemouth University sponsored prize awarded to
the best, final year student on a Bournemouth University
programme.
University Centre Yeovil Outstanding
Achievement Award is presented to a student who has achieved an
exceptional performance taking into account all factors including
academic excellence and personal circumstances.
The
Harry Livingstone Award for Management Excellence is an annual award
which recognises outstanding achievement by a Business and Management
student, who has clearly demonstrated excellence within their studies.
It is presented by the Yeovil & District Branch of the
Chartered Management Institute - the Country's Leading Body for
Professional Management, in association with the Department of Business
& Professional Studies. It is appropriately dedicated
to the memory of Harry Livingstone LLB MA (07.01.23 - 24.12.02), a
professional manager who gave outstanding service to his country,
family, community and friends. His career saw service in the Royal Navy
and subsequently a very successful period in the Colonial Legal
Service, where his roles included that of District Judge and Crown
Counsel, before he `retired' to take up the post of National Secretary
of Youth Hostel Association. Locally he is fondly remembered
as a long term stalwart of the Institute, who in addition to his many
other roles, was also an extremely supportive member of the local
Branch Team, remembered in particular for his service over many years
as Branch Honorary Secretary. He remained a very active member up until
his death at the age of 79.
The Ted Wragg Award for
Outstanding Trainees is in honour of Professor Ted Wragg, a nationally
recognised advocate of the teaching profession and a man who inspired a
great many of today's best teachers and teaching practices. These
awards have been developed to recognise, encourage and financially
reward the best PGCE students; those who demonstrate good subject
knowledge, excellent communication and people skills. Excellent
trainees are creative, able to think on their feet, confident and
infuse enthusiasm both in the classroom and in their fellow
trainees.
