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3,000+ students to celebrate graduations

12/09/2017

More than 3,000 students and their families will celebrate their academic achievements when they graduate from the University of Wolverhampton.

A total of 17 ceremonies will take place at Wolverhampton’s Grand Theatre between Friday, 15 September and Friday, 22 September 2017.

Students throwing their caps in the air for graduation

The 3,239 students will don caps and gowns for the ceremonies, which will also include the award of honorary degrees to 11 inspirational figures who have made a significant contribution to their field.

They include successful comedian Al Murray, Paralympic gold medallist Lord Holmes of Richmond, Chief Fire Officer of Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Rebecca Bryant and prominent local businessman Henry Carver.

Among those graduating will be mum and daughter Lisa and Stevie Faulkner, from Great Wyrley, who have both studied courses at the Faculty of Education, Health and Wellbeing in Walsall.

Lisa, 46, will collect a BSc Nursing Studies (Orthopaedic Care) while 22-year-old Stevie will receive a BA (Hons) Childhood, Family and Education Studies.

Lisa says: “Although we are a very close family, the experience we shared at University has been something quite unique for us and has made the experience extra special. Although we will still support each other during our continued studies, I will miss meeting up with her for our morning tea in the campus cafeteria."

Each ceremony will begin with a procession of University staff, Governors, honorary award recipients and invited guests from the University’s Wulfruna Building to the Grand Theatre.

All the ceremonies will be live streamed on the University of Wolverhampton YouTube channel and Twitter @wlv_uni.

There will be a drinks reception afterwards in the Harrison Learning Centre, and an opportunity to snap a memorable picture under the University’s new photo arch.

The Class of 2017 will also get their glad rags on for a sell-out Alumni Graduation Party on Saturday, 23 September at the WV1 Terrace at the Molineux Stadium.

Three people will also receive professorships during the week. They are John Field, Visiting Professor of Lifelong Education, Tom Schuller, Visiting Professor of Lifelong Education, and Malcolm Ross, Visiting Professor of Aesthetic Education.

Vice-Chancellor, Professor Geoff Layer, said: “We are delighted to be celebrating the individual achievements of our students at this year’s graduation ceremonies. Graduation is always a special time at the University of Wolverhampton as we recognise the hard work, determination and passion of our graduates as they take the next steps in their careers. Our students enter a diverse range of professions, and we are proud that a record 96.3% of last year’s graduates were in work or further study six months after leaving us.

“The University recognises the achievements of prominent figures during graduation with the award of honorary degrees and fellowships. These individuals have made a significant contribution to their field of expertise and we are really looking forward to welcoming to the University of Wolverhampton family this September.”

The Class of 2017 will join the global alumni community of over 100,000 alumni in 130 countries.

The full list of honorary degree recipients is available here: https://www.wlv.ac.uk/about-us/news-and-events/latest-news/2017/august-2017/university-announces-honours-list.php

For more information about services and benefits available to University of Wolverhampton graduates, visit www.wlv.ac.uk/alumni, follow @wlv_alumni on Twitter, https://www.facebook.com/wlvalumni on Facebook and https://www.instagram.com/wlvalumniassociation/ on Instagram, or search University of Wolverhampton on LinkedIn.

Useful links

Graduation ceremonies page

Graduation checklist

For more information please contact the Corporate Communications Team.

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