Whanganui UCOL Celebrates Graduation

Whanganui UCOL Celebrates Graduation

Students who completed their course of study at Whanganui UCOL last year will be recognised at a graduation ceremony on Wednesday 2 April.
More than 200 students are eligible to receive certificates, diplomas and degrees.

They have studied in areas such as Fashion, Art and Design, Glass Design and Production, Fine Arts, Catering, Hospitality and Culinary Arts, Hairdressing, Mental Health Support, Sport and Fitness Management, Carpentry, Health Science and Technology, Nursing, Business Administration, Business Studies, Information and Communications Technology and Tertiary Study Skills.

Around 130 will take part in the Graduation Ceremony to be held at the Royal Wanganui Opera House at 1 pm. Events Coordinator Jane Janes says not all of those eligible to graduate will be able to attend, with many already committed to exciting new jobs, some outside Wanganui.

This year’s Graduation celebrations have a difference. Students and UCOL academic staff, followed by supporters, friends and families, will take part in the traditional graduation procession that follows the ceremony. But this year they will parade to UCOL’s new campus on Rutland Street.

The new route will taker them down St Hill Street, into Ridgway Street then along Drews Avenue to the new UCOL Atrium on Rutland Street, for refreshments. Shoppers, retailers and other members of the public will have an opportunity to cheer the graduates on as they come across Ridgway Street through the main shopping area.

Whanganui UCOL Campus Principal Suzanne Frecklington says graduation is a time to congratulate graduands on the hard work and commitment needed to complete a qualification. “It shows students still studying at UCOL that it can be done and that they have something splendid to look forward to when they complete their qualifications.”

Sue says the format of UCOL’s graduation ceremony has significance. “The procession is an opportunity to show the community what our students have achieved and allows Whanganui to join in the celebrations.

“The reception after the procession is also important. It is an opportunity for graduates to say thank you to their teachers – and to thank their friends and family for their support during their study.”
But above all, she says graduation is a time for graduating students to relax and celebrate their achievements.

The guest speaker for the ceremony is Wanganui Deputy Mayor Dot McKinnon. The ceremony will be officially opened by Whanganui UCOL Campus Principal Sue Frecklington and closed by UCOL’s Chief Executive Paul McElroy.

The ceremony is expected to last about two hours.

ENDS

© Scoop Media