Graduation ceremonies held at Falkirk Campus

Graduation ceremonies held at Falkirk Campus
Winners Group with Abhishek Agarwal

Forth Valley College’s Falkirk Campus hosted three successful graduation events on Friday 11 October.

More than 850 students were eligible to graduate this year from Forth Valley College and 246 of them chose to collect their scrolls at the ceremonies, which were held at the College’s headquarters for the second time.

Guest speaker at the morning ceremony from 10-11.15am was author and expert in leadership Dr Eve Poole OBE, while at the 1pm-2.15pm event tourist industry spokesman and commercially focused business leader Marc Crothall MBE gave the keynote speech, and at the final ceremony from 4pm-5.15pm former policeman turned equality, diversity and inclusion consultant who works across public, private and 3rd and 4th sector Robin Iffla MBE, spoke to the assembled graduates and guests.

Abhishek Agarwal, new Chair of the Forth Valley Board of Management gave the Vote of Thanks at all three ceremonies.

Also at the graduation, former FVC Principal Professor Ken Thomson, former FVC Head of Department Jacqui McArthur and former FV Board of Management member Ken Richardson were all awarded Fellowships of the College.

The Alloa Bowmar Pipe Band were on hand to lead in the top tables and stage parties at all three ceremonies.

Prizewinners throughout the day were: Magdalena Nowak (42) from Bannockburn, who won Most Inspirational Student in the Department of Care, Sport, Business & Communities (sponsored by Drummond Laurie Chartered Accountants), Nicole Gray (37) from Alloa, who scooped the Most Promising Student in the Department of Care, Sport, Business & Communities (sponsored by Rotary Club of Falkirk), Callum Milligan (23) from Kippen who was presented with the Most Inspirational Student in the Department of Creative, Digital & Leisure Industries award (sponsored by Central FM), Emma Leitch (20) from Falkirk, who won the Most Promising Student in the Department of Creative, Digital and Leisure Industries prize (sponsored by Vass Media), Murray Hill (27) from Dunblane, who picked up Most Inspirational Student in the Department of STEM and Construction (sponsored by Forth Valley College) and Barbie Turnbull (39) from Falkirk, who picked up Most Promising Student in the Department of STEM and Construction (sponsored by FES).

Magdalena, who graduated with a HNC Childhood Practice, said: “I am very surprised, but very proud and happy to win this award. Without completing this course you would not be able to do much in the early education sector. I would recommend it to every single mum to do it.”

Nicole, who graduated with a HNC Childhood Practice, said: “I am really surprised, but really, really proud to have won this award, especially on the back of a very tough year for me. I hope it can inspire other young mums to go for it, apply for college and work towards a qualification.”

Callum, who worked his way up from NC Media, to NC and HND Photography at FVC, before graduating with a BA Art and Design, said: “I was absolutely shocked to find out I had won and it needed a wee bit of time for it to sink in. I had no idea I had been nominated, but I am pleased and very proud of myself, especially as I had many, many talented classmates in my year who could easily have won this award too. I now can’t wait to start my Honours at the University of Stirling.”

Emma, who works at Café Bar 1807 in Linlithgow and who was earlier this year selected to travel to the prestigious Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne on a HIT Scotland scholarship, graduated with a HND Hospitality Management. She said: “I feel good and happy to have won and that all my hard work has paid off. I didn’t even know that there were awards at the graduation, but I feel brilliant about winning.”

Murray, who graduated with a HND Computer Aided Architectural Design and Technology, said: “Winning this award means a lot as I put a lot of work in to my studies and I feel really appreciated for that. Sometimes you don’t know if other people notice what you are doing in class, but I am really pleased that they did think of me in regards to the award.”

Barbie, who works for Trust Housing Association attended the evening HNC Construction Management course at the College and also participated in the ‘Women in Construction’ programme to encourage more women into the industry. She graduated with her HNC, and said: “I am a bit shocked, but it is a real honour to be put forward for this award. It has been a lot of hard work juggling a young family, working full-time and also studying at night. Winning the award is the icing on the cake for me.”

Forth Valley College Principal Kenny MacInnes, said: “All our prizewinners this year have also excelled in their course and thoroughly deserve this recognition. 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.”

General photography on the day was provided by HND Photography student Marcus Swanston and Sound Production and Media and Communication students helped with audio visual services.

Barbie Turnbull
Callum Milligan
Emma Leitch
Magda Nowak
Murray Hill with both Awards
Nicole Gray
Abhishek Agarwal presents Ken Thomson with his Fellowship award
Abhishek Agarwal presents Jacqui McArthur with her Fellowship award
Dr Eve Poole
Marc Crothall
Robin Iffla
Kenny and graduating staff
Kenny, Elena and Abhi
HND Photography student Marcus Swanston
Principal Kenny MacInnes