Students and staff enjoyed a day of celebration at Dumfries and Galloway College’s graduation ceremonies.
Two ceremonies were held at the Crichton Memorial Church in Dumfries to congratulate students graduating from the academic year of 2023-24 – and we are grateful to photographer Phil Wilkinson and DGC for the photographs.
They were presented with HNC, HND or SVQ awards in the curriculum areas of Business, Computing, Creative Industries, Early Education and Childcare, Health and Social Studies, Beauty Therapy, Engineering and Sport & Fitness to mark their dedication and hard work.
Joanna Campbell, principal and CEO of Dumfries and Galloway College, said: “It was a wonderful day, and I couldn’t be prouder of the class of 2024. It was a pleasure to welcome the students and their families to join myself and my colleagues as we celebrated their achievements. We wish them every success in the next exciting chapter of their lives.”
It proved an extra special celebration for three families in particular.
Husband and wife – and both Photography HND students – Nicholas and Ann Eales graduated together in the morning, along with another married couple – Adriana (HND Business) and Lukasz Dudek (HNC Cyber Security).
Then, later in the day, brother and sister Hannah-Kate Fisher and Jacob Fisher – both HNC Childhood Practice students – were all smiles as they went up to collect their certificates.
For a particular group it was an extra special occasion when they were named best in class as this year’s student prize winners.
They are:
Crichton Foundation Prize: Lee Bass.
Creative Industries Student of the Year: Tia Mungall.
Business Studies Student of the Year: Ben Dickson.
Computing Student of the Year: Lewis Davidson.
Engineering Student of the Year: Lisa Green.
Sport and Fitness Student of the Year: Holly Murdoch.
Early Learning and Childcare Student of the Year: Duncan Da Silva.
Digital Health and Social Care Student of the Year: Shannon Laurie.
Beauty Therapy Student of the Year: Aisha Ayag.
SQA Award: Claire Gate.
The Principal’s Commendations for staff went to Stephen Baxter, Karen Hunter, Susan McLellan and Audrey Rippingale.
DGC also awarded an Honorary Fellowship to Heather Hall, the co-founder of Dumfries café The Usual Place, which provides job opportunities for young people with additional support needs, who retired this year.
The principal said: “Ms Hall has proven to be a true inspiration to people across the south of Scotland and she is a worthy recipient of the college’s fellowship for 2024.”
Born in Chester, then brought up in a rural community in Scotland, Heather moved to Glasgow to pursue one of the first Graduate Adult Nursing programmes at what is now Glasgow Caledonian University. Adding a mental health nursing qualification, she started a career in health and social care, and then, in 2015, the entrepreneur had the vision to open The Usual Place, a business for social good, which is now an award-winning community café and launch pad for new careers and self-employment opportunities.
After the ceremonies, staff, students and their families all headed to Easterbrook Hall for a meal to celebrate their achievements – and photographs to record it all.