By Zoe Fripp.
Between Monday 3rd September and Tuesday 11th September, 16,000 students, alongside their loved ones, attended their University of Hertfordshire 2018 Graduation Ceremony at the beautiful St Albans Abbey.
The important and exciting event marks the end of 1000’s of students’ course of study and is a celebration of their hard work and achievements over their time spent at UH.
Sue Grant, Secretary and Registrar at the University of Hertfordshire who leads the academic procession at the ceremonies said: “We are incredibly proud of our graduates and these ceremonies reward the dedication and well-deserved achievements of our students. We hope that they, along with their family and friends, will enjoy celebrating in the city of St Albans.
“Over 96% of our students are employed or in further study within the first six months of graduation and we continue to strive to develop graduates with the knowledge, skills and attributes to equip them for future challenges and opportunities. We wish them all the very best and look forward to keeping in touch as they move on to the next stage of their lives.”
Alongside the graduating students, the University is also awarding Honorary Degrees to pillars of the community to thank them for their huge contributions to academic disciplines, charity, professions or public service. These recipients include British soprano Sarah Brightman; former international footballer and founder of the Willow Foundation, Robert Wilson OBE; and acclaimed British author Kenneth Follett.
Presenting the awards will be Lord Salisbury, Chancellor; Professor Quintin McKellar, Vice-Chancellor; Professor Ian Campbell, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Mr Richard Beazley, Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Board of Governors.
The full list of Honorary Degrees recipients is as followed:
The Venerable Trevor Pryce Jones– In recognition of his services to the community of Hertfordshire
Baroness Bowles of Berkhamsted– In recognition of her contribution to the development of European Union policy
Mr David Pearson– In recognition of his significant career in, and contribution to, the marketing industry
Mr Jez Butterworth– In recognition of his contribution to British drama and film
Dame Helen Yvonne Hyde– In recognition of her contribution to national education, Holocaust education and the promotion of diversity within the community
Ms Sarah Brightman– In recognition of her contribution to music and theatre
Mr Walter Murch– In recognition of his contribution to the motion picture industry and, in particular, the field of film editing
His Honour Judge Andrew Bright QC– In recognition of his contribution to the legal profession and his services to the community of Hertfordshire
Mr Kenneth Follett– In recognition of his contribution to literature and literacy
Mr Michael Albert Paul McGrath– In recognition of his motivational/ inspirational work with persons with disability
Mr Robert Wilson OBE– In recognition of his contribution to football and significant charitable work
Professor Dame Janet Maureen Thornton– In recognition of her contribution to bioinformatics
Dame Mary Marsh– In recognition of her contribution to public services, particularly the charitable sector
Professor Felix Israel Domeno Konotey-Ahulu– In recognition of his contribution to Sickle Cell disease research
Mr Mark Coulier– In recognition of his contribution to the film industry
In light of the recent graduation ceremonies, Trident Media wants to give a closer insight into three students in particular, by reflecting on their time at the University of Hertfordshire and the advice they offer for future students now their time has come to an end. Check out our first student in the spotlight, Abies Iriowen, here: http://tridentmedia.org/university-of-hertfordshire-graduate-spotlights-abies-iriowen/