Forth Valley College hosted two successful graduation events at Falkirk Town Hall on (Tuesday 4 October) and Stirling Castle on (Thursday 6 October).
More than 780 students were eligible to graduate this year from Forth Valley College and 269 of them chose to collect their scrolls - 155 at Falkirk and 114 at Stirling Castle.
Guest speaker at the Falkirk Town Hall event was Tracy Black Scotland Director for the CBI, while BBC presenter Amy Irons gave the keynote speech at Stirling Castle. Ross Martin, current Chair of the Forth Valley Board of Management gave the Vote of Thanks at Falkirk, while Vice Chair Trudi Craggs ended the ceremony at Stirling.
The Alloa Bowmar Pipe Band were on hand to lead in the top table and stage party at both ceremonies.
Prizewinners at the Falkirk Town Hall ceremony on Tuesday 4 October were: Allison Potts (40) from Redding in Falkirk, graduated with a HND in Accounting and won the Most Inspirational Student in the Department of Business and Communities award; Rowan Maxwell (20) from Airth, graduated with a HND Electrical Engineering and was presented with the Most Inspirational Student in the Department of Engineering and Science award; Alex Velzian (29) from Falkirk, graduated with a HND Fitness, Health and Exercise, won the Most Inspirational Student in the Department of Care, Sport and Construction award; Preston James Quinn (21) from Larbert, graduated with a HND Software Development – progressing onto BSc (Hons) Software Development with Cyber Security Year 2 (University of Stirling) - and won the Most Inspirational Student in the Department of Creative Industries, Hospitality and Tourism award (all four of these awards sponsored by Falkirk Community Schools Charity Board); Mark Hume (27) from Glasgow, graduated with a HNC Working with Communities and won the Most Promising Student in the Department of Business and Communities award (sponsored by MacRoberts LLP); Shirley Kenyon (53) from Bo’ness, graduated with a HND in Applied Biological Sciences and picked up the Most Promising Student in the Department of Engineering and Science award (sponsored by Balfour Beatty); Jennifer Petrie (22) from Denny, graduated with a HND Beauty Therapy and picked up the Most Promising Student in the Department of Creative industries, Hospitality and Tourism award (sponsored by eden consultancy group); and Victoria Taylor (40) from Alva, graduated with a HNC Childhood Practice and was presented with the Most Promising Student in the Department of Care, Sport and Construction award (sponsored by Ede & Ravenscroft).
At the Stirling Castle ceremony on Thursday 6 October former Forth Valley Board of Management member Davie Flynn and former FVC Depute Principal Andrew Lawson, were awarded Fellowships of the College.
Allison Potts (40) from Redding in Falkirk, graduated with a HND in Accounting and won the Most Inspirational Student in the Department of Business and Communities award, said: “I was really shocked when I heard I had won and to begin with I couldn’t believe it was real. I actually thought I was being pranked, but when I found out it was true, I am really chuffed about it.”
Mark Hume (27) from Glasgow, graduated with a HNC Working with Communities and won the Most Promising Student in the Department of Business and Communities award, said: “I was a bit gobsmacked because I didn’t see it coming at all. I was just doing my work and then I got the phone call and I am very proud of myself to be fair.”
Rowan Maxwell (20) from Airth, graduated with a HND Electrical Engineering and was presented with the Most Inspirational Student in the Department of Engineering and Science award, said: “I didn’t expect it, but when I found out, it was amazing to be selected for such and award as this.”
Shirley Kenyon (53) from Bo’ness, graduated with a HND in Applied Biological Sciences and picked up the Most Promising Student in the Department of Engineering and Science award, said: “I couldn’t believe it when I received the call to tell me I had won. There were so many great students in my class that were doing so well and were so enthusiastic, so I was just blown away by it and could not believe it.”
Preston James Quinn (21) from Larbert, graduated with a HND Software Development – progressing onto BSc (Hons) Software Development with Cyber Security Year 2 (University of Stirling) - and won the Most Inspirational Student in the Department of Creative Industries, Hospitality and Tourism award, said: “I am pretty amazed as I don’t know why I have got it, as I was just being myself for the entire course. But I am pretty proud of myself.”
Jennifer Petrie (22) from Denny, graduated with a HND Beauty Therapy and picked up the Most Promising Student in the Department of Creative industries, Hospitality and Tourism award, said: “I was very surprised, flattered and over the moon. I have absolutely loved my two years at the College, even through the online learning and slowly returning to campus. It’s been an incredible experience. It was a great way to finish off two years and then heading off to the next stage of my career.”
Alex Velzian (29) from Falkirk, graduated with a HND Fitness, Health and Exercise, won the Most Inspirational Student in the Department of Care, Sport and Construction award, said: “I was so shocked and didn’t expect it at all. I was at work when I got the call and I wasn’t going to answer it as I usually don’t at work, but for some reason I did and I was so shocked and didn’t have a clue what to say. The whole call was just a blur. It was just crazy, but so amazing.”
Victoria Taylor (40) from Alva, graduated with a HNC Childhood Practice and was presented with the Most Promising Student in the Department of Care, Sport and Construction award, said: “I was utterly shocked to hear about winning this award to be honest with you. I don’t know how or why I won it, but I am really, really pleased and impressed with myself.”
Forth Valley College Principal Professor Ken Thomson OBE, said: “Once again we are celebrating the success of students whose learning has been affected by the restrictions of the pandemic. However, they have risen to the challenge once again and I am delighted to celebrate the tremendous efforts of all students who showed determination, skill and adaptability to successfully complete their studies despite unprecedented circumstances.
“All our prizewinners this year have also excelled despite these challenges and everyone at Forth Valley College is very proud of their efforts and I personally would like to congratulate them for their hard work, which will no doubt inspire students of the future. We wish them all well as they embark upon their new careers or continued study. They have without a doubt been a credit to themselves and to the College. We are sure they will go on to have successful careers in whatever they choose to do.”
