22.07.2003
This summer 2300 students will graduate from the University of Brighton – with qualifications ranging from diplomas to degrees to doctorates.
The university's Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir David Watson and the Chairman of the Board of Governors Sir Michael Checkland will present the awards at ceremonies on July 31 and August 1 at the Brighton Centre.
"The academic year which comes to a close with these ceremonies has been an important and highly successful one for the University of Brighton. During the course of it we have celebrated our tenth anniversary as a university and reflected on a much longer history as an institution of higher education – growing out of and meeting the needs of the communities we serve – local, regional and national, " Sir David said.
"You can also see our success in what we are here to celebrate today. Our former students also nurture the reputation of the university, as they bring new skills, knowledge and judgement to the wide variety of careers and pursuits in which they will engage. Each in his or her own way will enrich and enlarge a vital aspect of our civil society."
Thursday 31 July:
11am - Faculty of Health
3pm - Faculty of Management and Information Sciences
Friday 1 August
11am - Faculty of Education and Sport
3pm - Faculty of Science and Engineering, Faculty of Arts and Architecture
Here to stay
Sisters Christine and Stephanie Kern (23yrs and 25yrs respectively) from Germany,
enrolled into the 2nd year of the Tourism Management degree in Eastbourne
through the university's partnership with the Angell Academy of Tourism
in Freiburg. Both have been conferred with a 1st class honours degree.
"Given the university's good reputation and the nice location of the Eastbourne campus this decision was not too difficult for us. Being sisters but not twins, we often came across perplexed faces of peer students and caused some confusion in the library. But all in all people got used to it quite well.
"With both an interesting and challenging university life, as well as a varied life outside university, the two years in Eastbourne were unquestionably worth while, yet, they passed by almost too quickly. Equipped with skills and knowledge gained during our studies we now plan either to enter postgraduate studies or to initially find a first job in tourism – preferably in the south-east of England."
Christine and Stephanie will graduate on Thursday 31 July.
Mature and McQueen
Mature student and single parent Julie Sissons graduated in Fashion and Textiles
with Business Studies and was awarded an outstanding artistic achievement
award for her final degree show.
Julie spent her third year in industry travelling to London each day for her placement at Alexander McQueen. When she returned for her final year her seven year-old son fell ill over Xmas and spent six weeks in a wheelchair.
"The tutors gave me a lot of support and became like an extended family," said Julie. "As a mature student I really gelled with them and I think they appreciated my situation. It's a fantastic course and I've benefited from it so much."
Julie will graduate on Friday 1 August.
'The course has changed my life'
Kerray who studied Exercise Science and Stuart Rawlinson - Sport Science met
at the university, got engaged (Stuart proposed upside down in a plane over
Eastbourne Pier), then married and had a baby during the third year of their
courses. Kerray said,
"Trying to finish a degree whilst being pregnant and then having a new baby was obviously difficult, but with the support and encouragement of the Chelsea School staff we managed. Lucy should get a certificate too as she has been to her fair share of lectures!
"The course has changed my life, more than I could possibly have thought and we’ve both really enjoyed it. Stuart is now concentrating on getting his commercial pilot’s licence whilst I hope to do a Science Postgraduate Certificate in Education at Brighton."
Kerray and Stuart will graduate on Friday 1 August.
Contact: Marketing and Communications, University of Brighton, 01273 643022
