MORE than 200 degree students were joined by a host of distinguished guests, local dignitaries, family and friends to celebrate at the Town Hall this week for Loughborough College’s 2017 graduation ceremonies.
Olympian and Great Britain hockey player Nicola White MBE, a former Loughborough College student who helped the squad achieve a historic Gold medal in Rio last year and fellow alumnus Lock Stock Print owner and Young Enterprise Awards judge Chris Jones delivered inspirational speeches.
Event Management graduate Said Zaher played violin for arriving guests and Loughborough College Interim Principal Colin Butler welcomed local dignitaries including the Mayor of Charnwood, Councillor Pauline Ranson and Her Consort Mr Trevor Ranson alongside College partners Nottingham Trent University, Loughborough University, the University of Warwick and the University of Derby and told graduands: “Today belongs to you and your successes. I speak on behalf of all my colleagues when I say how proud we are of each and every one of you.”
Mr Butler extended special thanks to tutors and support staff at Loughborough College for their dedication, hard work and commitment and to parents, partners, family and friends for their support as well as to all the employers who work closely with the College.
Chris Cockerton, Head of Higher Education at Loughborough College, paid tribute to students receiving Degrees with Honours, Foundation Degrees and Higher Nationals in a range of professional, technical and academic subjects.
Jyoti Karshala achieved First Class Honours in her Leadership and Management degree and was presented with the Outstanding Academic Achievement Award. The 22 year old, who lives in Loughborough, worked part-time at the College throughout her three years of study. “It was challenging at times – I went into the library at weekends and pulled many all nighters but the College and my family have been so supportive and my tutors gave me the encouragement I needed to stay motivated. I’m now really excited looking at graduate schemes but I’m already missing being a student and am also looking at Master degrees – I can’t let go!”
Emily Rodbourne was named Sport Student of the Year as she graduated with First Class Honours in her Sports Coaching Batchelor of Science degree. Emily, 23, also lives in Loughborough and combined her studies with working full-time as a coach at Charnwood Tennis Club. “It was tough, I didn’t have much of a social life, but the College has been brilliant helping me make it work and it has hugely been worth it. I’m at a primary school in Loughborough as part of my training and hope to join a secondary school here as a PE teacher.”
Geena Bailiss and Thomas Allen were each named Degree Student of the Year and Thomas, who was graduating with a BA (Hons) in Hospitality Management is thrilled to have landed a place on a graduate scheme in Operations for Premier Inn. “I’d not been particularly enthusiastic about academics at school – the most likely thing I’d use a text book for was as a coaster. But the team at Loughborough College helped me enjoy studying for my degree from the word go and to believe I was capable of achieving big things. I feel so proud to be graduating but I also think I’ll be having a little cry that it’s all coming to an end.”
Adam Swannack, who was awarded Distance Learning Student of the Year as he graduated with BA (Hons) in Leadership and Management, has no doubt that his degree played a major part in his promotion to Manager of the centerpiece swimming facility at Butlins in Skegness. Based hundreds of miles away with his family, Adam commuted regularly to the College alongside working full time. “Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I’d be graduating. This degree has helped me significantly. It really has opened up a whole new world and enabled me to secure a top job running a facility multi-million pound venue.”