Graduation cheer for students
MORE than 300 guests gathered in Fort William’s Duncansburgh MacIntosh Parish Church on Friday to celebrate the West Highland College UHI graduation.
Shirley Spear, chairwoman of the Scottish Food Commission, gave the key note speech as students received a range of vocational, further and higher education awards.
Ms Spear encouraged all students to use their qualifications to benefit the Highlands: ‘I congratulate and applaud all of you for what you have achieved so far.
‘You are the generation who will be creating the legacy of a successful Scotland - I encourage you to stay and contribute, if not here in the Highlands, then to Scotland and its future.’
And Lydia Rohmer, principal and chief executive of West Highland College, congratulated her departing students: ‘As you would expect of our rapidly growing college, we have more graduands here than ever before; this year more than 250 eligible graduates from over 40 different course awards. More than 80 graduands have attended today, together with around 60 of their fellow students from last year’s further education courses. We welcome you all to this celebration of all your achievements.’
Three people were given special recognition by receiving the students of the year award.
Mike Martin was awarded the higher education award and will be forwarded for selection in the University of the Highlands and Islands overall student of the year award.
Jayne Lear from Kinlochleven and Cathryn Baillie from Skye were jointly named further education student of the year.