University Centre Bishop Burton celebrates student success at graduation ceremony
CELEBRATING: University Centre Bishop Burton students outside Beverley Minster
By Rick Lyon
Students and staff from the University Centre Bishop Burton have celebrated their success at a stunning graduation ceremony.
A total of 130 students were joined by family, friends and special guests at historic Beverley Minster for the annual event.
The students graduated from programmes in a range of subject areas including agriculture, animal sciences, criminology, equine, floristry, sport, exercise science and health and teacher training.
Following a warm welcome from Bishop Burton governor Kevin Kendall and the Principal’s Report from Principal and Chief Executive Bill Meredith, graduands were conferred with their degrees by special guests Professor David Richards, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Research and Enterprise) at the University of Hull, and Dr Lynne Senior, School Consortium Director at the University of Huddersfield.
Several special awards and prizes were also presented, including a Best Student in Agriculture Award, which went to Maja Johansson-Ward.
VOTE OF THANKS: Olivia Hammond
In addition to the range of degrees being conferred, the graduation was the first to also include students who have completed Level 4 apprenticeships in Agricultural Management. These higher-level qualifications provide those seeking a work-based rather than academic route to management and finance roles within industry.
The Principal’s Report praised the diversity and talent of the students, making special mention of a number of inspiring student success stories.
These included FdSc Applied Canine Behaviour and Training graduand Briar Dunn, who graduated with distinction.
Briar is now the first wheelchair user to work with Guide Dogs for the Blind, providing specialist dog training services.
BSc (Hons) Wildlife and Conservation Management graduand Samuel Caswell also received a special mention for his voluntary work with the RSPB.
He said: “It’s a wonderful day to recognise all our hard work and achievements and catch up with friends.”
A Vote of Thanks was given on behalf of the Student Association by BSc (Hons) Equine Therapy and Rehabilitation (First Class) graduand Olivia Hammond.
Olivia, who was recently shortlisted as a finalist in the British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA) Thesis of the Year Awards, said: “The Class of 22 should be incredibly proud of themselves for all their accomplishments, particularly in the face of online learning during Covid.
“The team at UCBB, through their ongoing encouragement, compassion and support, nurtured us all into the successful, passionate and ambitious graduands we are today.
“I never thought I would feel such a sense of accomplishment and sadness that my time at UCBB is over. You never understand the value of a moment until it becomes a memory.”
STUNNING: The ceremony inside Beverley Minster
Dr Rachael Fell-Chambers, Assistant Principal Higher Education at the University Centre, said: “Graduation is a very special occasion and a highlight of the academic year.
“It’s our opportunity to publicly celebrate and acknowledge our amazing students’ achievements, marking both the end of their time with us and the beginning of what I am confident will be hugely successful and fulfilling futures, as highly employable graduands.”