Wakefield College | News | College celebrates Graduates success

College celebrates Graduates success

Wakefield College 10th Graduation Ceremony was marked this week with this year’s guest speaker Tom Riordan - Chief Executive of Yorkshire Forward - praising the commitment of College staff and congratulating the students on their achievements.

The Graduates make their way towards Wakefield Catherdral for the Graduation Ceremony.

Tom Riordan said, “It was a real honour to be asked to take part in Wakefield College’s Graduation Ceremony and to have the opportunity to share in the students’ achievements.

“Graduation is the end of one journey, but the beginning of another. These graduates now have to take the knowledge and skills they have developed at Wakefield College into the world and apply and adapt them in order to succeed.

“My hope is that wherever they go, and whatever they do in their careers, these Graduates choose to return to the region at some point and use their skills to support the continued success of Yorkshire and Humber.”

A highlight of the occasion this year was music provided by two HND Music students, wearing caps and gowns as they were graduating on the day. Megan Barber, who has since gained one of the few places at the prestigious Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts established by Sir Paul McCartney, sang ‘I will survice’, accompanied by Rob Taylor, who is currently topping up to a full degree at Hull.

Praising the graduates, College Principal Heather MacDonald said,” I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to all those who have graduated as well as their friends and families. Students can be rightfully proud of their hard work and commitment in achieving their respective qualifications.”

The Principal also reiterated the Colleges commitment to the educational redevelopment of the Wakefield District. “We aim to transform the educational landscape of the District and open the door of opportunity for all. We are investing an estimated £100 million in two brand-new, state-of-the-art education and training campuses. The College seeks to eradicate inequality of educational opportunity and social injustices,” she said.

A procession of College staff, Governors, guests and graduates, headed by the Mayor of Wakefield, Councillor Allan Garbutt, paraded along Wood Street, braving high winds on one of the most important days in the College Calendar, to the City’s Cathedral.

This year in excess of 400 students achieved a Higher Education qualification including Higher National Diplomas, Higher National Certificates, Foundation Degrees and Degrees in a number of areas including Education, Computing, Personnel, Building Studies, Childhood Studies, Care, Sports Studies, Music, Engineering, Business & Management, Travel & Tourism, Catering, Multimedia, Theatre, Marketing, Art & Design and Accounting. Many have gone on to do top-up degrees at universities across the country.