Wakefield College | News | Graduands celebrate success at annual ceremony

Graduands celebrate success at annual ceremony

A congregation of more than 600 people crammed into Wakefield Cathedral last Saturday to see students from Wakefield College receive higher Level qualifications at the annual Graduation Ceremony.

Graduates processing to Wakefield Cathedral.

This year’s guest speaker, Wakefield MP Mary Creagh, praised the hard work and commitment of both students and tutors. Speaking to the congregation Mary said, “Today is a landmark in your lives and a time to reflect on the choices you have made, time to change yourselves and the community around you for the better and face up to the challenges ahead with spirit and vigour.”

Mary reiterated her support for a dedicated university presence within the Wakefield District, adding that such an institution would be an integral part of the wider regeneration of the City.

Interim College Principal, Sue Griffiths said, “Today is a significant occasion, not just for the College, but for the community of the Wakefield District. Wakefield College has a well established tradition of service to our students and to our local communities. We share a commitment to the economic, social and cultural development of our region, working with partners including the local authority, the high schools, employers, and, of course, universities in our region.”

Amongst this year’s high achievers were BSc Computing students Jessica Rhodes and Adam Brian Hagger who both achieved First Class Honours degrees, whilst 65 year old Valerie Anderson, after a 30 year gap from learning, graduated having completed a Foundation Degree in Fine Art.

A procession of College staff, Governors, guests and graduates, headed by the Mayor of Wakefield, Councillor Jacqui Williams, paraded along Wood Street 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 at Wakefield College including Higher National Diplomas, Higher National Certificates, Foundation Degrees and Degrees in a wide variety of areas including Education, Computing, Personnel, Childhood Studies, Care, Sports Studies, Music, Engineering, Business & Management, Catering, Multimedia, Theatre, Marketing, Art & Design and Accounting. Many have gone on to do top-up degrees at universities across the country.