Hard work and commitment has paid off for 316 Whanganui UCOL Graduates who successfully completed their Degrees,
Certificates and Diplomas last year.
Many of the graduates will attend and personally receive their new qualifications at one of the two Graduation
Ceremonies in Whanganui this week.
Morning and afternoon Ceremonies will be held at the Prince Edward Auditorium at Wanganui Collegiate School on Thursday
28 March at 10.30am and 1.00 pm.
UCOL Council New Academic Year Honours Awards will be presented to Denise Scott-Lister and Mike Webber at the
ceremonies.
Whanganui UCOL Associate Dean Creative, Katrina Langdon says the Graduates represent 316 success stories. “Every single
one of these people has taken up the opportunity to learn at UCOL and achieve their study goals. Graduation reflects
their personal commitment, hard work and achievement, and often, some financial hardship. It’s a big commitment but the
rewards are great.”
Katrina says as well as celebrating student achievement, Graduation Ceremonies also acknowledge the contribution of
friends and families and of UCOL academic and support staff. “It’s also a time to say thank you to the Whanganui
community groups, business and sector groups, and retailers who support us and have contributed to the success of our
students. Staff will be there with the Graduates celebrating their success.”
The first Ceremony starts at 10.30am for students eligible to Graduate in Business Studies, Catering and Hospitality,
Exercise and Sport, Hairdressing and Beauty, Mental Health (Support Work), Pokairua Te Tuarahere Diploma in Whanganui Te
Reo, and Tertiary Study Skills.
The biggest contingent is 71 Culinary Arts and Hospitality students. Another large group consists of 26 Graduates of the
Certificate in Tertiary Study Skills. Seven students are eligible to receive their Diploma in Beauty in addition to 17
Certificate in Beauty Services graduates.
A group of 29 will Graduate with qualifications in Business, Computing and Business Administration, 19 with a
Certificate in Mental Health (Mental Health Support Work) and nine with the Pokairua Te Tuarahere Diploma in Whanganui
Te Reo.
The guest speaker at the morning ceremony is Denise Scott-Lister. Whanganui born and bred, Denise is the Managing
Director of two education and training Companies, Training For You and Proven Performance.
Whanganui eye health campaigner Mike Webber will receive his UCOL Honorary Fellowship award at the morning Ceremony.
Honorary Fellow awards are made for an outstanding and distinguished contribution to the wider community of which UCOL
is a part.
The second Ceremony starts at 1.00 pm for students eligible to graduate in Fashion, Fine Arts, Glass, Art and Design,
Nursing, Science and Health.
Twenty two students will graduate with a Bachelor of Nursing, and 15 with a Diploma in Enrolled Nursing, 16 with a
Certificate in Science and Health, 18 with Certificate in Art and Design, eight with Bachelor of Fine Arts, 15 Bachelor
of Fashion and a further six Certificate in Fashion.
Renowned singer and Arts Facilitator with the Wanganui District Council, Deborah Wai Kapohe will address the graduates
at the afternoon ceremony.
WORLD Fashion Designer and businesswoman Denise L’Estrange-Corbet will receive her UCOL Honorary Fellowship award during
the afternoon Ceremony.
At the conclusion of the afternoon ceremony, graduates, their families and friends and UCOL staff are invited to travel
to St Mary’s Church, Guyton Street for the official procession which starts at 2.45pm.
The procession will move down Victoria Street to the Rutland Street Campus for light refreshments.
ENDS