HUNDREDS of guests came together to celebrate the academic success of graduates from Pershore and Evesham College at St Mary’s Church in Warwick.
Graduates were presented with their degrees at the church before taking a procession to Old Shire Hall for a celebratory reception.
Angela Joyce, CEO of WCG, presented the scrolls on stage and was joined by special guests across the three ceremonies, which celebrated graduates from across the seven WCG colleges.
WCG Board Chairman Peter Manford, Vice Chairman Paul Walker and President Chris White also represented the college group.
The final ceremony of the two days featured an address by Pershore College and Moreton Morrell College alumni David Domoney, fellow of the Chartered Institute of Horticulture and celebrity gardener and broadcaster.
“At WCG we are proud that 90 per cent of our graduates move quickly into employment or to undertake further study,” Mrs Joyce said.
“Well done to all of our graduates, and we wish them all the best in the next steps of their development.”
Sebastian Conrad, aged 28, from Germany, moved to the UK to study for a BSc (Hons) in Horticulture at Pershore College, and has already received recognition from the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS).
He said: “The culture in gardening is more prevalent in England, the history in the gardens is what drew me and Pershore has a fantastic reputation as well. I’ve won two RHS medals in my time here, including a Gold in my third year. It was very rewarding receiving the degree, after three years of hard work, and I’m going to set up as a freelance garden designer now.”
Gemma Grant, 20, from Evesham, studied HND Graphics and Photography at Evesham College and praised the support of her tutors. She also received the Tutors’ Award for Academic Excellence.
She said: “I’ve had a passion for photography ever since I was little. Studying at WCG gave me the freedom to be creative and do what I really want to do. The tutors were absolutely fantastic, I wouldn’t be here without them. I’m really proud of myself, especially with winning the award, and hoping to set up my own photography business in the future.”
Alicia Tomkins, 21, from Essex achieved her FdSc in Veterinary Nursing at Pershore College, receiving the Tutors’ Award for Academic Excellence in the process and has already secured a job since finishing her course.
She said: “When I first visited Pershore I liked the way the course was run, with the four months of college and then placement sections, which was different to what other universities offered. It’s amazing to finally be a registered veterinary nurse. It’s been a lot of hard work but it was worth it.”
Visit www.wcg.ac.uk/openevents for more.
