Family affair for University graduations

 

Mature student Vanessa Judd was determined that nothing would stop her attending her graduation ceremony – not even giving birth.

 

The 40-year-old new mum gave birth to her first child, Daniel Connor Sparkes, on the first Monday of the graduations and defied everyone’s expectations to get robed up for her graduation on Tuesday.

 

But after four years of studying part time for a BA (Hons) Graphic Communication while also working full time in her last year, Vanessa was determined to graduate alongside her fellow students from the School of Art and Design.

 

Vanessa was presented with a first class honours degree at the ceremony at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre. She has now enrolled on the University’s new MA Design for Advertising course.

 

Meanwhile, the Cattell family had a busy week, with mum Pam Cattell gaining a MA in Human Resources Management from the University of Wolverhampton Business School, followed by her son two days later. Robert, 23, graduated from the School of Education with a Postgraduate Certificate in Education.

 

Pam, who works at the University as the Head of Postgraduate Administration, said it was wonderful to have such a good reason to celebrate.

 

“It was nice to graduate in the same week, and we thoroughly enjoyed Robert’s graduation, which we both attended,” she said. “It was a personal achievement for me as I had never been to University.”

 

One family experienced a touch of déjà vu at the School of Engineering and the Built Environment graduation.

 

Mature student Matthew Baker was delighted to receive The National Federation of Builders award for the best student on the BSc (Hons) Building Surveying course.

 

And on closer inspection, he discovered the same prize had been given to his younger brother Jonathan when he studied the same course.

 

Completing the family connections, Ranjit Sondhi was awarded an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters at the School of Health graduation ceremony, followed by his wife, Anita Bhalla, who was presented with an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters from the School of Humanities, Languages and Social Sciences.

 

Ranjit is the Chairman of the Heart of Birmingham teaching Primary Care Trust, a Trustee of the National Gallery and a Civil Service Commissioner. He was previously Governor of the BBC with special responsibility for the English regions.

 

Anita Bhalla is currently the Head of Political and Community Affairs for the BBC English Regions. She is also chair of the Midlands Arts Centre and a Trustee Director of the Symphony Hall in Birmingham.

 

And as well as a family affair, there were plenty of staff who picked up their own awards. These included Yvette Steel and Ros Boden who work in the Conduct and Appeals Unit and both received their BA Business Management awards.