Forth Valley College hosted two successful graduation events at Stirling Castle (Tuesday 8 February) and Falkirk Town Hall (Wednesday 9 February).
More than 930 students were eligible to graduate this year from Forth Valley College and 204 of them chose to collect their scrolls - 62 at Stirling Castle and 142 at Falkirk.
Nicola Killean OBE, CEO of Sistema Scotland gave the keynote speech at Stirling Castle, while guest speaker at the Falkirk Town Hall event was MSP Michelle Thomson.
The Alloa Bowmar Pipe Band were on hand to lead in the top table and stage party at both ceremonies.
Prizewinners at the Stirling Castle ceremony on Tuesday 8 February were: Annette Laing (53) from Doune, who won the Most Promising Student in Creative Industries, Hospitality and Tourism and Dawn Marie Todd HND (47) from Cambusbarron, who won the most Inspirational Student in the Department of Creative Industries, Hospitality and Tourism, but was unable to attend.
At the Falkirk Town Hall ceremony on Wednesday 9 February the prizewinners were: Jade Harley (28) from Falkirk, who won the Most Inspirational Student in the Department of Business and Communities; Donna McLean (43) from Bainsford, Falkirk, who won Most Promising Student in the Department of Business and Communities; David Connell (33) from Polmont, who won the Most Promising Student in Engineering and Science; Aiden McGrory (22) from Stirling, who won the most Inspirational Student in Engineering and Science; Megan Stewart (28) from Larbert who won the Most Inspirational Student in Care, Sport and Construction and Jenny Thomson (20) from Linlithgow, who won the Most Promising Student in the Department of Care, Sport and Construction, but both Megan and Jenny were unable to attend the ceremony.
Four worthy candidates with Forth Valley College Board experience were also bestowed with the honour of Fellow of Forth Valley College at the Stirling Castle ceremony. These were academic Fiona Campbell a Forth Valley Board of Management member and former FVC evening class student, Anne Mearns a former Deputy Chair of the Forth Valley College Board and former Head of Service at the SQA, Colin Alexander an electrical and electronic engineer who had a 30 year career in the oil and gas industry across the world and Fiona Brown who had a 37 year further education career before retiring in 2019 as Vice Principal Learning and Quality at Forth Valley College.
Jade Harley (28) from Falkirk, who graduated with a HNC Working with Communities, won the Most Inspirational Student in the Department of Business and Communities. She has now progressed onto a Masters in Learning and Communities at Edinburgh University.
She said: “It was very unexpected to hear that I had won the award, given that I was very fortunate to be in such a great class with so many peers who had way more experience of working with communities than me. They are a very supportive group and everyone helped each other along during unprecedented period through lockdown. I am very proud of myself. Honestly, I can’t say enough good things about the lecturers I had, who did everything in their power to make things feel as good and normal as they possibly could through the challenging times. I would recommend the course 100 per cent.”
Donna McLean (43) from Bainsford, Falkirk, who graduated with a HNC Working with Communities, won Most Promising Student in the Department of Business and Communities. She now works in Alloa as a Community Development Officer with Sauchie Active8.
She said: “I am overwhelmed at winning this award and did not expect it. I really did enjoy the course and it was a different experience, especially after being out of education for 26 years so it was quite hard. I would recommend it, but without the support of the lecturers and my fellow students I would not have been able to get the qualification for the role I am in today.”
Megan Stewart (28) from Larbert who graduated with a HNC Childhood Practice, won the Most Inspirational Student in Care, Sport and Construction and has progessed on to the University of Stirling to continue her studies at degree level.
She said: “I feel honoured and privileged to win the Most Inspirational Student Award, and I’m so thankful to Nicola McArthur for nominating me. As a mature student, I was nervous to start college, but everyone made me feel so welcome, and I’ve had a great experience. I couldn’t have gained my HNC and Higher English without the support of my lecturers. My Forth Valley College qualifications have allowed me to continue my studies at the University of Stirling.”
David Connell (33) from Polmont, who graduated with an HND Applied Biological Science, won the Most Promising Student in Engineering and Science. He said: “I am absolutely thrilled to win this award. I came back to study after a few years away and I was really apprehensive about it. Fortunately my classmates made me feel welcome and the staff at Forth Valley College are very supportive. Personally, it’s been a tough couple of years and I wouldn't have completed this course if it wasn't for the support from staff and students! They deserve an award.”
Jenny Thomson (20) from Linlithgow, who graduated with a HNC Childhood Practice, won the Most Promising Student in the Department of Care, Sport and Construction. She now has ambitions of becoming a primary school teacher and is currently working three days a week at Queensferry Primary School as a Pupil Support Assistant.
Jenny, said: “I feel very proud to have won this award. I loved the placement aspect of the course and liked the research and graded unit areas too. We were mainly working online throughout, but the lecturers made it so easy for us to be able to learn in as normal a way as possible. It is a very hard course and there is a lot of hard work to be done, but it is very rewarding.”
Dawn Marie Todd HND (47) from Cambusbarron, who graduated with a HND Events Management won the most Inspirational Student in the Department of Creative Industries, Hospitality and Tourism. She is currently enjoying being a mum and gran, but continues to help organise community events for children in Cambusbarron throughout the year.
She said: “I was taken aback when I heard I had won. I did not expect it at all, but I am honoured to win the award. I had never experienced college before. I went from school straight in to the workplace and then had my family, but I would definitely recommend the course as it was a really good experience. The dynamics of my class meant that I was one of the oldest and, I felt like the mummy most of the time! The lecturers were also very supportive during my time there.”
Annette Laing (53) from Doune, who graduated with a BA Art and Design, won the Most Promising Student in Creative Industries, Hospitality and Tourism. She is currently working as a primary school teacher in West Stirlingshire. Annette, said: “There were so many brilliant students on my course, so I am really taken aback my department chose me for this award. I loved the course and would recommend it. The whole thing about the course was that it allowed me to grow as an artist at the same time as growing my confidence.”
Aiden McGrory (22) from Stirling, who graduated with a HND Applied biological Sciences, won the most Inspirational Student in Engineering and Science. He has now moved on to the University of Stirling to study a BSc in Animal Biology.
He said: “Sadly my gran died when I was studying for this course, but I feel like I have done her, my grandad and my whole family proud, by winning this award. My grandad will be coming along to see me graduate and it is even better now that he will see me pick up a prize. The lecturers at the college are amazing and I love them all. The facilities at both Falkirk and Stirling are great and I would definitely recommend the college to anyone. I would also recommend the support services available at the college as I had to use the counselling services during the pandemic lockdown and they were all excellent people.”
Forth Valley College Principal Dr Ken Thomson said: “It has been a very difficult and challenging two years for everyone, but it is now great to see a sense of normality return across society. That is why we were absolutely delighted to host two excellent graduation ceremonies this week and 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 would like to congratulate them for their hard work, they will be held up as inspirations to what is possible in further education for years to come. We wish them all well for the future, as they embark upon their new careers or continued study. They should be rightly very proud of their efforts, as 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.”