Whanganui UCOL celebrates with Graduates

News Release

www.ucol.ac.nz

Monday 25 March 2013

Whanganui UCOL Celebrates With Graduates

Hard work and commitment has paid off for 316 Whanganui UCOL Graduates who successfully completed their Degrees, Certificates and Diplomas last year.

Many of the graduates will attend and personally receive their new qualifications at one of the two Graduation Ceremonies in Whanganui this week.

Morning and afternoon Ceremonies will be held at the Prince Edward Auditorium at Wanganui Collegiate School on Thursday 28 March at 10.30am and 1.00 pm.

UCOL Council New Academic Year Honours Awards will be presented to Denise L’Estrange-Corbet and Mike Webber at the Ceremonies.

Whanganui UCOL Associate Dean Creative, Katrina Langdon says the Graduates represent 316 success stories. “Every single one of these people has taken up the opportunity to learn at UCOL and achieve their study goals. Graduation reflects their personal commitment, hard work and achievement, and often, some financial hardship. It’s a big commitment but the rewards are great.”

Katrina says as well as celebrating student achievement, Graduation Ceremonies also acknowledge the contribution of friends and families and of UCOL academic and support staff. “It’s also a time to say thank you to the Whanganui community groups, business and sector groups, and retailers who support us and have contributed to the success of our students. Staff will be there with the Graduates celebrating their success.”

The first Ceremony starts at 10.30am for students eligible to Graduate in Business Studies, Catering and Hospitality, Exercise and Sport, Hairdressing and Beauty, Mental Health (Support Work), Pokairua Te Tuarahere Diploma in Whanganui Te Reo, and Tertiary Study Skills.

The biggest contingent is 71 Culinary Arts and Hospitality students. Another large group consists of 26 Graduates of the Certificate in Tertiary Study Skills. Seven students are eligible to receive their Diploma in Beauty in addition to 17 Certificate in Beauty Services graduates.

A group of 29 will Graduate with qualifications in Business, Computing and Business Administration, 19 with a Certificate in Mental Health (Mental Health Support Work) and nine with the Pokairua Te Tuarahere Diploma in Whanganui Te Reo.

The guest speaker at the morning ceremony is Denise Scott-Lister. Whanganui born and bred, Denise is the Managing Director of two education and training Companies, Training For You and Proven Performance.

Whanganui eye health campaigner Mike Webber will receive his UCOL Honorary Fellowship award at the morning Ceremony. Honorary Fellow awards are made for an outstanding and distinguished contribution to the wider community of which UCOL is a part.

The second Ceremony starts at 1.00 pm for students eligible to graduate in Fashion, Fine Arts, Glass, Art and Design, Nursing, Science and Health.

Twenty two students will graduate with a Bachelor of Nursing, and 15 with a Diploma in Enrolled Nursing, 16 with a Certificate in Science and Health, 18 with Certificate in Art and Design, eight with Bachelor of Fine Arts, 15 Bachelor of Fashion and a further six Certificate in Fashion.

Renowned singer and Arts Facilitator with the Wanganui District Council, Deborah Wai Kapohe will address the graduates at the afternoon ceremony.

WORLD Fashion Designer and businesswoman Denise L’Estrange-Corbet will receive her UCOL Honorary Fellowship award during the afternoon Ceremony.

At the conclusion of the afternoon ceremony, graduates, their families and friends and UCOL staff are invited to travel to St Mary’s Church, Guyton Street for the official procession which starts at 2.45pm.

The procession will move down Victoria Street to the Rutland Street Campus for light refreshments.

Background on Council Honours recipients.

Mike Webber MNZM is a Whanganui optometrist who is regarded as a pioneer in eye care services. He helped establish the Wanganui Eye Care Trust which has raised funds for specialised eye equipment at Whanganui Hospital. He has been involved in establishing eye care services in countries such as Cambodia, Africa, and the Pacific Islands. Awarded the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2007, and named Rose Charities International Person for the Year in 2009, Mike Webber has an outstanding record of contributing to optometry and communities.

Denise L’Estrange-Corbet MNZM is the co-founder of fashion brand WORLD, with Francis Hooper, established in 1989. She is a respected businesswoman, published author and international speaker, and is active in organisations such as Diabetes NZ, the Mental Health Foundation, IHC and the SPCA. Denise is a supporter of fashion education and training at a number of institutions across the country, including spending time with UCOL’s own staff and students.

For more information on UCOL Council New Academic Year Honours awards: http://www.ucol.ac.nz/Pages/NewsItem.aspx?nid=545

ENDS

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