Forth Valley College’s Falkirk Campus hosted three successful graduation events on Friday 6 October.
More than 700 students were eligible to graduate this year from Forth Valley College and 230 of them chose to collect their scrolls at the ceremonies, which were held at the College’s headquarters for the first time.
Guest speaker at the morning ceremony from 10-11.15am was entrepreneur Cameron McCann co-owner of Stirling Gin, while at the 1pm-2.15pm event Janie McCusker, Chair of NHS Forth Valley gave the keynote speech, and at the final ceremony from 4pm-5.15pm Ross Tuffee - Investor and Technology Founder/Entrepreneur - spoke to the assembled graduates and guests.
Trudi Craggs, Interim Chair of the Forth Valley Board of Management gave the Vote of Thanks in the morning, and Vice Chair Lorna Dougall responded at the 1pm and 4pm events.
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: Fern Ford (19) from Alloa, won Most Inspirational Student in the Department of Care, Sport, Business & Communities (sponsored by Forth Valley Chamber of Commerce), Alyssa Jones (30) from Clackmannan, scooped the Most Promising Student in the Department of Care, Sport, Business & Communities (sponsored by Rotary Club of Falkirk), Sam Goodwillie (27) from Stirling, who was presented with the Most Inspirational Student in the Department of Creative, Digital & Leisure Industries award (sponsored by Central FM), and Niamh McFarlane (22) from Denny, who won the Most Promising Student in the Department of Creative, Digital and Leisure Industries prize (sponsored by Vass Media).
Fern, who graduated with a HNC Working with Communities, said: “I feel happy about winning this award. College was much better for me than school and the support I received from the lecturers, the Student Support Department and my classmates was fantastic. I am now moving on to university to do a Sociology degree and I want to become a Social Worker. I am ecstatic.”
Alyssa, who graduated with a HNC Childhood Practice, said: “I feel overwhelmed. Due to being a bit older, I found studying to be so hard. Then I fell pregnant during the course, just when we were given our graded unit project. To win this award really is overwhelming, I am surprised, but thanks go to my lecturers who were all amazing!”
Sam, who graduated with a BA Art and Design, said: “I feel really good about winning this award. I feel like I have done something that is worthwhile. I must admit there were times I thought I could not continue at College – especially after losing people close to me. I nearly gave up, but I know they would have wanted me to keep going. Growing up, I never thought I would ever gain a degree, so I am even prouder to have won an award at graduation.”
Naimh, who graduated with a BA Art and Design, said: “I am shocked at winning this award, but I do feel like my hard work has paid off. It has made my day to hear this news. I couldn’t have done it without the support of the lecturers. I will be using my prizemoney on more paint for more paintings!”
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.”
