East Coast College students from the class of 2024 have celebrated their success at their graduation ceremony surrounded by friends, family and proud lecturers.
Held at Great Yarmouth Minster on Friday, October 18th, students from the college’s Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth campuses were presented with foundation degrees and degrees in a range of programmes including engineering, sport, business, social care, health programmes and wildlife conservation. Professional qualifications in education and training were also presented.
The ceremonies, organised in partnership with the University of Suffolk, were opened by the university’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Jenny Higham, with speeches from Paul Padda, Principal and Chief Executive of East Coast College.
Kerry Payne, Assistant Principal for Higher Education and Access at East Coast College, said:
“Congratulations to all our graduates who have worked so hard to achieve their degrees. They have all demonstrated great passion and resilience through their studies.
“For many, the journey has involved juggling family responsibilities or the tension of work-related pressures. For others, the challenge has been in growth, resilience, and discovery. All have succeeded and we are pleased to celebrate their achievements.
“We judge our success on the extent to which we enhance the lives and opportunities of the people and communities we serve. We are passionate about increasing social mobility through opportunity and are very proud that we offer a vast range of challenging, accessible and vocationally relevant higher education programmes.
“All of our students should be extremely proud of themselves for undertaking this commitment, developing academically and personally, and completing their journey. The knowledge and skills they have gained will support them to enhance their own opportunities and we wish them well in the next chapter of their lives.”
During the ceremony, The Paddy Shaw Prize for Higher Education Student of the Year – named in honour of the late Paddy Shaw, a former member of college staff – was awarded to a student who demonstrated knowledge, skills, ability, or resilience above and beyond what is expected.
The award was presented to Paul Mantripp, who graduated with a Bachelor of Art with Honours in Creative Arts Practice. Paul was praised for his dedication, empathy and professional attitude, working alongside his studies as a freelance photographer which has seen his work included in international exhibitions and published in interior magazines.
Another special award – Honorary Fellow – was presented to both Rob Evans and Alan Debenham. The award is presented to individuals who it is considered have supported the college, its learners and the community it serves.
Rob and Alan were integral members of the East Coast College Governance Body who oversaw the two mergers that formed East Coast College. During their terms of office, the College achieved its merged objectives of being rated Ofsted ‘Good’ and receiving a financial health of ‘Good’.
To find out more about the degree courses on offer at East Coast College, visit www.eastcoast.ac.uk/degrees