Students Celebrate Success at Awards Ceremonies

Almost 80 students attended Higher Education (HE) graduation and Further Education (FE) award ceremonies for Shetland College UHI this week after completing a wide range of courses in the last academic year. Ceremonies took place on Tuesday 6th and Wednesday 7th September at St Columba’s Church in Lerwick. Students were joined by college staff, family members and invited guests.

On Tuesday Professor Crichton Lang, Depute Principal of the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) presented awards to HE students. Dr Fiona McLean, Vice-Chair of Court and Irene Peterson, Acting Vice-Principal (Further Education) were also in attendance. On Wednesday, awards were presented to FE students by Willie Shannon, Interim Joint Principal, and guest speaker Tom Morton, local broadcaster. Eric Stewart, who recently retired from his post as Senior Textile Technician at the college, was Mace Bearer at the HE Graduation ceremony.

Over the last year almost 250 students have completed their studies across the wide range of courses provided by Shetland College UHI. These include Business, Management, Education, Heritage, Contemporary Textiles, Early Education and Childcare, Social Care, Computing, Carpentry and Joinery, Accounting, Art and Design, and Music.

Awards were also presented to two teaching staff by Luke Humberstone, President of the Highlands and Islands Students’ Association. Dr Andrew Jennings received the award for ‘Best Research or Dissertation Supervisor’ and Dr Simon Clarke for ‘Best Assessment Feedback.’

Local business presence this year takes the form of twelve sponsored class prizes. An additional four prizes have been sponsored by organisations outwith Shetland. Nicole Taylor, who is studying BA (Hons) Contemporary Textiles received the national ‘Prickly Thistle Prize’, while Marcia Galvin, also studying BA (Hons) Contemporary Textiles, has been named overall Shetland College HE Student of the Year. The FE Student of the Year is Molly Peterkin-Tracey, who has completed Access to Apply for BA Nursing with NC Level 6 Health and Social Care.

Councillor Peter Campbell, Chair of the Shetland College Board said: ‘Congratulations to all our graduates and other award recipients. This is the reward for their efforts over the year and we wish them every success in the future.’

Willie Shannon, Interim Joint Principal said: ‘To all the students who are getting their awards, very well done. The qualifications that they have achieved are well regarded and the students’ success is richly deserved. I would like to thank all of the staff at Shetland College for playing their part in ensuring that students are looked after and taught well. Finally thank you to the sponsors of prizes which are a real bonus for the recipients.’