Media Release
Friday 13 March 2015
UCOL Wairarapa to celebrate graduation next week
UCOL Wairarapa will hold its annual Graduation Ceremony on Tuesday 17 March in the Masterton Town Hall with 175 students
eligible to graduate with Degrees, Diplomas and Certificates.
Graduates will be awarded qualifications in: Building, Construction and Allied Trade Skills; Carpentry; Automotive
Engineering; Motor Industry; Hairdressing; Health Science; Baking and Pastry; Professional Cookery; Hospitality;
Computing; Early Childhood Education and Care; Business Administration; Beauty Services; Beauty Therapy; Adult Teaching;
Contemporary Music Performance; and Nursing.
Twelve of the 175 students eligible to graduate are the first graduands of the Open Polytechnic Bachelor of Teaching
(Early Childhood Education) supported by UCOL Wairarapa.
The largest group is those graduating with a Bachelor of Nursing, with 26 graduates. The graduate numbers also include
21 Certificate in Introduction to Health Science, 15 Early Childhood Education and Care graduates, 14 Certificate in
Baking and Pastry; and 14 Certificate in Professional Cookery & National Certificate in Hospitality (Basic Cookery).
During the ceremony, Wairarapa-based Musician Warren Maxwell and local philanthropist Chris Dugdale will be presented
with UCOL Council Honours’ Awards for distinguished contribution to the UCOL and the community.
Campus Manager Angela Hewitt says Graduation is an important time for graduates to gather together with family, friends,
staff and peers to celebrate and acknowledge achievement.
“Education is a life-long journey and no matter where individuals sit in their personal educational pathway, graduation
ceremonies are significant. To set a personal goal and achieve it is very empowering.”
Local businessman John Braiden will be the Guest Speaker at the ceremony.
South Wairarapa Mayor Adrienne Staples is expected attend and John Booth is expected to represent the Carterton District
Council.
The Ceremony starts at 1.30pm. At the conclusion, at approximately 3.00pm, the Graduates and UCOL staff members will
form a procession through the streets of Masterton (weather permitting), back to the Student Hub at UCOL Wairarapa for
light refreshments.
ENDS