Forth Valley College’s Falkirk Campus hosted three successful graduation events on Friday 10 October.
Around 750 students were eligible to graduate this year from Forth Valley College and 215 of them chose to collect their scrolls at the ceremonies, which were held at the College’s headquarters for the third time.
Guest speaker at the morning ceremony (Care, Sport, Business and Communities) from 10-11.15am was Jamie Swinney Chief Executive of Falkirk Football Club, while at the 1pm-2.15pm event (STEM and Construction) Mark Simmers Chief Executive of Celtic Renewables gave the keynote speech, and at the final ceremony from 4pm-5.15pm (Creative, Digital and Leisure Industries) veteran Scottish Broadcaster and Journalist Bernard Ponsonby, spoke to the assembled graduates and guests.
Forth Valley Board of Management members Chris Brodie (morning), Philip Harris (lunchtime) and Vice Chair Lorna Dougall (afternoon) gave the Vote of Thanks at their respective ceremonies.
Also at the first graduation ceremony on the day, former Forth Valley Board of Management Chair Trudi Craggs was awarded a Fellowship of the College, presented by current Chair Dr Abhishek Agarwal, who attended all three graduation events during the day.
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: Erin Hendry (27) from Cornton, Stirling, who won Most Inspirational Student in the Department of Care, Sport, Business & Communities (sponsored by Drummond Laurie Chartered Accountants), Lyle Johnston (20) from Alva, who scooped the Most Promising Student in the Department of Care, Sport, Business & Communities (sponsored by Rotary Club of Falkirk), Yana Surina (41) from Arnprior, who was presented with the Most Inspirational Student in the Department of Creative, Digital & Leisure Industries award (sponsored by Central FM), Craig Thomson (18) from Alloa, who won the Most Promising Student in the Department of Creative, Digital and Leisure Industries prize (sponsored by Vass Media), George McBeth (25) from Grangemouth, who picked up Most Inspirational Student in the Department of STEM and Construction (sponsored by Forth Valley Chamber of Commerce) and Chloe Baird (29) from Airth, Falkirk, who picked up Most Promising Student in the Department of STEM and Construction (sponsored by OCS).
Erin Hendry (27) from Cornton, Stirling, who graduated with a SWAP Access to Nursing/Healthcare, qualification, said: “I was caught off-guard when I heard I had won and was very surprised as it does not sound like it would be me to win the award. I am happy to have been some kind of positive influence on my fellow students and would encourage anyone to follow their aspirations.”
Lyle Johnston (20) from Alva, who graduated with a HNC Childhood Practice, said: “It's a huge honour to me to receive an award like this. It shows to me that the effort I have put in hasn't been unrecognised, and the effort those around me have put in to support me when I have needed them. It was long and hard year, but I persevered and couldn't be prouder of myself, though I wouldn't be where I am now without the people around me who have my back. I am flattered, honestly, but it was a team effort, and I'm so grateful."
Yana Surina (41) from Arnprior, who graduated with a HND Hospitality Management, said: “I am surprised to have won as English is not my first language and it was a little bit difficult for me to learn the course in English. But I am very happy to have won.”
Craig Thomson (18) from Alloa, who graduated with a HND Hospitality Management, said: “I never knew there were awards at the College, but I am over the moon to have won. I will be away on an internship in the USA when the graduation ceremony takes place, but I would like to say that I am so grateful for the support I have received from the College and its staff throughout my course. I never expected this… but within a year to have gone from winning nothing to winning two awards [Craig also won the Student Association Excellence Award in May 2025], is amazing.”
George McBeth (25) from Grangemouth, who graduated with a HND Applied Biological Sciences, said: “I was shocked when I heard I got the message that I had won an award. I initially thought it might have been a wind up, but I am happy to have won and am proud of myself. It was a jump for me to go from chemistry to biology, but I have put in the work and it has paid off.”
Chloe Baird (29) from Airth, Falkirk, who graduated with a HND Biological Sciences, said: “I feel extremely happy about winning, but am very surprised. It has been a tough year, but we all got through it together and I am proud of myself. I am now at the University of the West of Scotland studying Applied Bioscience and Zoology and I could not have done that without graduating with this qualification. Thanks also to all those who nominated me for this award."
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.”
