A moment they will remember

As usual, the ceremonies will take place in the historic splendour of Worcester Cathedral following the colourful and impressive procession of academic staff behind the City of Worcester's civic symbols, from the Guildhall to the Cathedral.

More than 1,700 students will receive tangible evidence of their academic success this year in a wide range of subject areas over the three days.

As well as the students receiving their degrees and qualifications, this year will see honorary MA degrees conferred on three individuals that have made a major contribution to the life of the city, the two counties and the region, and who have been supporters of University College Worcester in recent years.

There has much speculation as to who the recipients would be.

UCW currently has nearly 8,000 students and with the planned growth that goes with achieving full university status anticipated in 2004, and the start of work on the second campus across the river, on the old hospital site, the numbers should rise to around 12,000 students in the next seven to nine years.

UCW has a very different student profile to many higher education establishments, with around 70 per cent of its students female, reflecting its major strengths in teaching, and nursing and midwifery.

It also has a very high proportion of mature students and a higher than average proportion of part-time students, many of whom work full-time and study for their degrees during their spare time.

This is the first UCW graduation ceremony for new principal Professor David Green and he is looking forward to the event.

"Celebrating success comes very high on my list of priorities and these three days will see many young, and a significant number of older people, achieving exceptional results from their study," he says.

"They all deserve to enjoy their moment, with their friends and families and their tutors and colleagues witnessing their success.

''And the surroundings of Worcester Cathedral provide an incredible stage for these ceremonies, with 800 years of history surrounding them as they make their way on to the dais to collect their qualifications.

''It's a moment they will all remember all their lives and I know I will remember this, my first graduation ceremony here at UCW, with as much affection as they will."

The ceremonies are due to take place today, at 2.30pm, Thursday, October 23, at 11am and 2.30pm and on Friday, October 24, at 11.00am and 2.30pm.

Max makes history with two top awards

A WORCESTERSHIRE student will quite literally be making history at University College Worcester's graduation ceremony this year.

Not only will Max Calvert Lee pick up a First Class degree, he will also be the first student ever to win two of UCW's most prestigious academic prizes.

The 41-year-old from Barbourne, Worcester, was due to graduate today with a BA (Hons) in History with English and Literary Studies. What's more, he has been awarded the Hallmark Prize, which is given to students who have produced an outstanding history dissertation and shown exceptional skills in their presentation.

Max has also beaten all the other students in his year to scoop UCW's top award - the Northam Prize - for his independent study, which focused on the influence of the Nationalist movement on the Catholic Church in late 19th Century Ireland.

A clinical tutor with NHS Direct, Max has studied for his degree part-time since 1996, and admits it's been tough combining studying with a full-time job for the last seven years.

"I've managed to get through it thanks to a very supportive wife and sheer determination! Getting my degree, especially a First, has been the greatest achievement in my life.

''It will open up so many more opportunities for me both personally and professionally and, although my degree is not directly related to my current career, it has given me much more confidence in writing and presentation skills."

Max is typical of many students at UCW who return to studying later in life.

"I was much more interested in playing sport at school instead of passing exams. Although I did start a degree after my A Levels I didn't complete it and trained to be a nurse instead. However, I'd always been interested in history, language and social affairs and decided it was the right time to go back into education.

"I've thoroughly enjoyed my studies and really benefited from the modular type of degree on offer at UCW. It's meant I could do my studies close to home and the course was flexible enough to fit in around my job.

''My tutors gave me lots of encouragement and took a real interest in what I was doing; they really want you to do well. Right from the beginning I felt very much a part of UCW - there's a good mix of age groups, especially in history, so I didn't feel out of place and there's a relaxed, friendly atmosphere on campus. I think mature students bring a lot to the learning environment too."

Dr Paddy McNally is Max's tutor on the course.

"As supervisor of Max's independent study I'm delighted that he has been awarded both the Hallmark and Northam Prizes.

''Max is the most gifted student I have taught in my 12 years at UCW. His independent study is certainly the best I have seen during that time. His achievement is all the more remarkable given that he has studied as a part-time mature student."

Max now plans to take his studies further and do a PhD next year based on border studies and migration processes in Europe: "When I first started I would have been happy getting a pass, but to have achieved a First has really motivated me to take my studies further. I am delighted to have got so far and to be awarded these prizes - it's a major step towards achieving what I would like to do in the future."

Wednesday, October 22, 2003

BACHELOR OF ARTS MAJORING IN ARCHAEOLOGY AND HERITAGE STUDIES

Vanessa Blakemore

BACHELOR OF ARTS WITH HONOURS MAJORING IN ARCHAEOLOGY AND HERITAGE STUDIES

Monica Mary Gooch, David Henry Reynolds

BACHELOR OF ARTS WITH HONOURS MAJORING IN ART AND DESIGN

Mark Adam Brandon, Judith Anne Clarke, Jennifer Jane Dawson, Kristoffer Arvid Gundersen, Nicola Jane Hall, Jean Elizabeth Miller, Sharon Jane Morris, David John Pooley, Gemma Marie Swift, Patricia Gonzalez Tromans

BACHELOR OF ARTS WITH SINGLE HONOURS IN ART AND DESIGN

Jayne Elizabeth Gaze, Lynne Patricia Goodwin, Laurie Caroline Hodgkins, Charlotte Mary L Webby

DIPLOMA OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN COMBINED STUDIES, Andrew Jayes

BACHELOR OF ARTS WITH HONOURS MAJORING IN COMBINED STUDIES

Bryn Michael Boulton

BACHELOR OF ARTS WITH IN COMBINED STUDIES

Daphne Margaret Hussell-Johnson

BACHELOR OF ARTS WITH SINGLE HONOURS IN COMBINED STUDIES, Simon John Birch

CERTIFICATE OF HIGHER EDUCATION MAJORING IN DRAMA, Shelley Anne Whitcombe

BACHELOR OF ARTS MAJORING IN DRAMA

Lucy Anne Schofield

BACHELOR OF ARTS WITH HONOURS MAJORING IN DRAMA

Louise Corinne Aldis, Ashley Eric Dashwood, Elena Kkama, Eleni Margaritta Maria Maragakis, Lindsey Anne Milsom, Lisa Charlotte Eleanor Murphy, Katherine Wells

BACHELOR OF ARTS IN DRAMA

Robert James Comben, Michael Green, Richard Stephen Smith, Hayley Kim Wilkinson

BACHELOR OF ARTS WITH SINGLE HONOURS IN DRAMA

Danielle Louise Anderson, Victoria Jane Bryant, Bronwen Ebdon, Maria Magdelena Garcia, Michelle Jane Goulden, Laura Holland, Karen Lucy Hughes, Deborah Jane Lipscombe, Justine Clare Louise Marnell, Rachel Sarah Crosby Murray, Ben Prior, Paul Francis Seabright, Karen Mary Turl, Zoe Victoria Vaux, Clare Williams, Penny Adele Williams, Chanelle Wilshire

MASTER OF ARTS IN STUDIES IN BRITISH THEATRE

Paola Andrea Botham, Sally Anne Gibson

CERTIFICATE OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

Rosie Lorenzelli, Louise Rachel Webley

CERTIFICATE OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Lee Michael Addison, Sinclair Walter Brennan, Lee Michael Parker

DIPLOMA OF HIGHER EDUCATION MAJORING IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Phillip Bushell, Henrik Wegden

HIGHER NATIONAL DIPLOMA IN COMPUTING AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

James Norris, John Reeve, David Anthony Richardson, Mark Bernard Roberts, Darren Shakespeare, Alexander Vaughan, David Kenneth Watkins

HIGHER NATIONAL DIPLOMA IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT, Garrick Michael Joseph Bladen, Mark Trevor Evans, Gary David Lockley, Robert Moore, Eleftherios Stelios Mouskos, Paul Muir, Steven James Smith, Garreth Thomas Waites

FOUNDATION DEGREE IN DIGITAL BUSINESS

Pascale Altes, Clare Boulton, Keith Dalton, Jacqueline Holden, Maxine Melson, Andrew Nott, Diane Spence

BACHELOR OF ARTS WITH HONOURS MAJORING IN BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

Paul Michael Etheridge, Ian Paul Gamble, Osmay Sharif, Sam Thomas Stuart, Kate Mary Wilson, Sarah Louise Wolseley-Charles, Mark Nathaniel Woods

BACHELOR OF ARTS IN BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

Matthew Norman Baker, Edward James Roberts, David Turberfield

BACHELOR OF ARTS WITH SINGLE HONOURS IN BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

Tove Aldefors, Linda Maria Linnea Andersson, Louise Bann, Marie Berg, Kathryn Jill Birch, Laura Anne Bogans, Sebastian Bogren, Henrik Borgernas, Joseph Bright, Melissa Helen Canavan, Sara Carlqvist, Helena Marita Elna Carlsson, Christopher Michael Carr, Charmaine Rose Cox, Rachel Louise Crockett, Rebecca Karen Davis, Gemma Denning.

Andreas Edebol, Magnus Robert Edin, Joakim Peter Edsman-Grahn, Olle Ekerling, Krister Engqvist, Andreas Erlingsjo, Danielle Forrest, David Alan Golby, Clare Guest, Philip Jonathan Haggitt, Jodie Elizabeth Hartley, Amanda Jayne Harvey, Emma Marie Hemming, Joanne Hingley, Adam Hodgetts, Emma Hoffert, Robert Anthony Hopkins, Elizabeth Jane Hughes.

Alexis James, Timothy Richard Job, Olof Paul Francois Johansson, Michelle Joy Johnson, Rachel Mary Johnson, Sally Elizabeth Johnson, Ann-Sofie Kalmsjo, Annika Therese Karlsson, Linda Elisabeth Kindvall, Jens Larsson, Stefan Lillepuu, Jens Ljungberg, Emma Louise Ann Lunn.

Erica Jane Maddocks, Louise Malmberg, Gints Martinsons, Katharine Suzanne Mason, Allan Thomas Maund, Suzanne Louise Middleton, Gavin Miller, Nicklas Moller, Peter Alexander Moore, Johan Pahlsson, Rebecca Louise Piff, Edward George Poole, Jordan Powell, Carly Laura Ann Prosser, Karren Ranford, Martin Campbell Rennison, Lee Richardson, Joseph John Rossiter.

Asadang Saetang, Asim Sapcanin, Abdou Badou Sarr, Stephen Paul Sidwell, Christian Tregenza Smith, Erik Stromqvist, Nayer Sultana, Aimee Louise Tippins, Vivien Jane Tourmoche, Matthew Christopher Tromans, Erik Troste, Malin Vikstrom, David Ian Weaver, Mattias Robert Wihlborg, Simon Mark Williams, Gemma Louise Wykes

PRESENTATION OF HONORARY DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS TO PROFESSOR MICHAEL CLARK

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE WITH SINGLE HONOURS IN COMBINED STUDIES

Richard Neil Bannister

BACHELOR OF ARTS MAJORING IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Daniel David Masters, Karolina Elin Tuvesson

BACHELOR OF ARTS WITH HONOURS MAJORING IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Aziz Anwar, Sally Anne Carpenter,

Paul Julian Knott, Ozmay Sharif, Irina Stanford.

BACHELOR OF ARTS IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Nicola Davies, Fredrik Ekberg, Paul Douglas Kufeldt, Graham Stewart Mason, Barrie John Morgan, Emma Louise Phillips

BACHELOR OF ARTS WITH SINGLE HONOURS IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

James Edward Ball, Adam Laurence Grannell, John Alastair Greenwood, Jason Paul Milward, Anne Price, Marc David Thomas Price, Sanita Rothery, Rebecca Louise Shewring

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE WITH HONOURS MAJORING IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Roger Allan Chapman, Lee Dalton, Anthony Echeazu Elechi, Lindsay Grainger, Cathryn Anne O'Neill, Dipesh Patel

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Lee Croucher, Julian Paul Davies,

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE WITH SINGLE HONOURS IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Natalie Alexandra Armitage, Melvyn John Bagley, Steven John Bawden, Benjamin George Botfield, Emma Kate Haines, Andrew David Hodgson, Michael Anthony Holloway, Ian John Leach, Marie Keogh Taggart

CERTIFICATE OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN ENGLISH AND LITERARY STUDIES

Sarah Louise James

CERTIFICATE OF HIGHER EDUCATION MAJORING IN HISTORY

Elizabeth Rosemary Ray

CERTIFICATE OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN HISTORY

David James Little

CERTIFICATE OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN SOCIOLOGY

Vanessa Jane Mogg

HIGHER NATIONAL DIPLOMA IN MEDIA

Richard Arkinstall, Gavin Ian Auld, Matthew James Broxholme, Emma Cassidy, Gavin Joseph Mark Coughlan, Alexander James Denny, Simone Ann Marie Gentles, Neil Paul James Gibbons, Louisa Rose Griffiths.

Danielle Jane Herbert, Matthew Kaufman, Rabia Khurshid, Georgina Unity Moore, Amy Elizabeth Pople, Sara Elizabeth Prestleton, Christopher James Rosslyn Smith, Matthew Edward Russell, Hannah Margaret Smallman, Joanne Helen Snowzell, Cheryl Mary Yates

BACHELOR OF ARTS WITH HONOURS MAJORING IN ENGLISH AND LITERARY STUDIES

Gemma Angela Bryant, Isla Gillian Jenkins, Roisin Mary Keys, Valerie Kitty Morris, Keith Philip Rosser, Neil Warne

BACHELOR OF ARTS IN ENGLISH AND LITERARY STUDIES

Timothy Ronald Edney, Natasha Young

BACHELOR OF ARTS WITH SINGLE HONOURS IN ENGLISH AND LITERARY STUDIES

Hannah Catherine Draper, Richard Charles Fisk, Adam Thomas Foster, Rebecca Grainger, Diane Emma Hill, Jo-Anna Kitching, Alison Kate May, Natalie Ann Newman, Olivia Nicholson-Allen, Paula Maria Nutbeem, Lucy Ann Price, Stephanie Rae, Zillah Michelle May Short, Anne Silvanus-Davis, Miles Geoffrey Smith, Elizabeth Wheeler, Alyson Jane Williams, Paula Jane Williams, Bethan Wyke

BACHELOR OF ARTS WITH HONOURS MAJORING IN HISTORY

Max Crispian Calvert Lee, Nigel Downes, Adam Martin Haynes, Richard Stuart Jones, Sarah Redding Drummond Prophet

BACHELOR OF ARTS IN HISTORY

Lynne Carol Kennett

BACHELOR OF ARTS WITH SINGLE HONOURS IN HISTORY, Rebecca Lisa Bradford, Sean Graham Brown, Kerry Jayne Buckley, Karen James, Gary James King, Charles Louis Manson, Guadalupe Simons, William Thomas Tisdale, Martha Beatrice- Ann Worthington

BACHELOR OF ARTS WITH HONOURS MAJORING IN MEDIA AND CULTURAL STUDIES

Simon Peter Baldock, Andrew Cirulis, Oliver James Dale, Lucinda Dunkley, Marc Andrew Ibbotson, Daniel Alexander Kidd

BACHELOR OF ARTS IN MEDIA AND CULTURAL STUDIES

Kerry Ann Stanley, Wesley James Thompson

BACHELOR OF ARTS WITH SINGLE HONOURS IN MEDIA AND CULTURAL STUDIES

Wesley John Allen, Tania Baker, Sarah Louise Barley, Richard Boast, Joanne Caroline Chelliah, Kelly Ann Farrell, Victoria Male, Adam McQueen, Sarah Lisa Miller, Melissa Rebecca Moodey.

Philip Matthew Nolan, Richard Mark Orders, Kathryn Ann Pitts, Holly Jane Ridding, Ben Joseph Russell, Nicholas Charles Russell, Steffen Oliver Schmidt, Karen Marie Thompson, Martin James Verney.

Fleur Danielle Washington, David Bernard Webb, Sarah Louise Welch, Timothy Owen West, Matthew John Worboys

BACHELOR OF ARTS MAJORING IN SOCIOLOGY

Dawn Marie Lewis, Karen Christine Debra Turberfield

BACHELOR OF ARTS WITH HONOURS MAJORING IN SOCIOLOGY

Sarah Clarke, Evelyn Henderson, Joanne Victoria Hilton, Lorna Susan Milner, Elizabeth Belinda Payne, Amy Tyrer

BACHELOR OF ARTS IN SOCIOLOGY

Tracy Smith, Mark Russell Walley

BACHELOR OF ARTS WITH SINGLE HONOURS IN SOCIOLOGY

Ashley Dean Bailey, Michelle Marcia Doran, Helen Louise Dowdeswell, Jenny Louise Ford, Claire Louise Humphreys, Sharon Louise Jarvis, Melissa Jane John-Charles, Kate Alexis Taylor, Rebecca Usher

BACHELOR OF ARTS WITH HONOURS MAJORING IN WOMEN'S STUDIES

Irene Elizabeth Bond

POSTGRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN CONTEMPORARY STUDIES: SOCIOLOGY

Tom Oliver Hall

POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA IN CONTEMPORARY STUDIES: SOCIOLOGY

Julie Ann Barron

MASTER OF ARTS IN CONTEMPORARY STUDIES: SOCIOLOGY

Lisa Ann Brookes

MASTER OF ARTS IN ENGLISH RENAISSANCE STUDIES

Stephen Rix

MASTER OF ARTS IN HISTORY

Cindy Sue Moss, Matthew James Tolley

POSTGRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN NINETEENTH CENTURY STUDIES

Vanessa Anne Green

POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA IN NINETEENTH CENTURY STUDIES

Theresa Marie Derwin

MASTER OF ARTS IN NINETEENTH CENTURY STUDIES

Sarah Michelle Habberton, Beverley Sarah Reynolds, Rosemary Turner

MASTER OF PHILOSOPHY

John Charles Symons

Now Adam helps to keep it in the family

THE Haynes family from Worcester has a wide range of interests, including Economics, Early Childhood Studies and History, but they all have one thing in common - they all studied at University College Worcester!

Martin Haynes led the way and graduated with a BA (Hons) in Business Management in 1999.

He previously taught Hospitality and Tourism at Worcester College of Technology, but took the plunge and returned to his own studies at UCW.

He says: "It's important for people in Herefordshire and Worcestershire to know that we've got a world class institution right here on our doorstep."

Martin's wife, Julie, was initially a bit anxious about being a mature student, but was excited by her husband's experiences and so enrolled on UCW's BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies programme.

She graduated in 2001, and had a wonderful time on her course: "I was so glad that I took the step and went to UCW. I attended a lot of evening lectures, which fit around my busy life.

''I felt very comfortable as a mature student. I had a lot of support from my lecturers and made a lot of friends.

''My best friend was 20 years younger than me - I could have been her mother - but we had a great time together! No one should feel put off by being a mature student. I would encourage anyone to take a course."

Next in line for the Haynes family was daughter Melanie, who took a one-year top-up course at UCW. Melanie followed her father's footsteps and began her studies with an HND in Hospitality at Worcester College of Technology and then went onto a BA (Hons) Business Management course. She graduated in 2002 and now works as a civil servant for the DVLA.

Last, but not least, younger brother Adam is due to graduate today with a BA (Hons) in History and Sociology.

He says: "I wasn't sure where I wanted to go to Uni, but UCW seemed like a really friendly place and Paddy McNally - one of the history lecturers - gave a really inspiring talk about studying history, so I kept up the family tradition and applied to UCW."

Adam's course overlapped with his mother's studies for one year: "It was quite fun to have my mum on campus. We didn't see each other very often because she usually attended evening lectures, but we sometime ran into each other at the library or the canteen.

''My friends once dared me to wear my girlfriend's big, fluffy slippers into the library and then they stole my shoes, so I had to walk all the way home with her slippers on.

''I have to admit, I was quite glad that I didn't run into my mum on that day!"

The Haynes family has already been to three UCW graduation ceremonies and is looking forward to ceremony number four this week.

Although Adam is the last to graduate, UCW hopes that it will see the Haynes' again soon - perhaps for a family set of Master's degrees!