Student success to be celebrated at Graduation

Graduation ceremonies will take place at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre from Wednesday, September 1 to Friday, September 10 2010. Almost 4,000 students will be collecting awards over 18 ceremonies.

Students from the School of Engineering and the Built Environment will be the first to collect their degrees at a ceremony on September 1 at 2.45pm, followed by the School of Computing and Information Technology at 6.30pm.

The last ceremony will be held on Friday, 10 September, when students from the School of Sport, Performing Arts and Leisure will celebrate and for the first time, senior University staff, honorary degree recipients and invited guests will take part in a formal procession through Wolverhampton in their official academic robes to mark the final day of Graduation.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Caroline Gipps said: “Graduation offers a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the successes of our students and recognise their dedication and hard work. I would like to congratulate them all as they move onto the next stage of their career or further study.”

The University presents graduation awards to students who have achieved significant academic success, overcome adversity or contributed to the life of their School. Among those collecting awards this year will be Arthur Louis, who decided to study nursing at the age of 59. After selling his business, Arthur retired to Cyprus but realised after six months that he wasn’t ready to leave the world of work behind.

He successfully applied to do a Diploma in Higher Education (DipHE) Nursing, and will be collecting his award at a School of Health and Wellbeing ceremony. The 63-year-old from Codsall will be presented with the Lyn Swindlehurst Prize when he graduates, which recognises the student who has made a significant contribution to motivating and supporting their peer group with their enthusiasm within the School.

The University will be awarding honorary degrees to 16 people over the course of graduation. They include Chairman of Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club Steve Morgan, drum and bass musician Goldie, Punjabi music legend Gurdas Maan and Ian Powell, Chairman of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and a graduate of the University.