This year’s ceremonies were of particular significance for five of BGU’s courses as they celebrated the graduation of their first student cohorts. Archaeology and History, Business (Team Entrepreneurship), Sociology, Health & Social Care and Counselling were launched in 2015 and over the last three years, all of them have evolved and grown into established, thriving degree programmes.
This process has been built on collaboration between staff and students with each learning from and supporting the other to bring about success. As the students collected their degrees in Lincoln Cathedral their lecturers took the opportunity to praise them for their achievements:
“Amazing to witness”
Dr Duncan Wright, Senior Lecturer and Programme Leader for Archaeology and Heritage:
“It is a great pleasure to see our first graduating cohort of BA History and Archaeology students and something that we’re really proud of as a staff team. There are always a few unknowns when launching a new degree, but the passion and enthusiasm that our students have shown has been amazing to witness. We’re confident that our degree has taught the students a whole host of vital transferable skills and that this will stand them in good stead for the future. We, of course, wish them all the very best!”
“Fantastic pioneers”
Dr Elinor Vettraino, Head Coach for the Business (Team Entrepreneurship) Programme:
“It was a courageous decision for BGU to start a new and innovative business course three years ago. Developing the course has been an ongoing process and I can’t thank our first graduates enough for the part they’ve played in helping to shape it. They are all fantastic pioneers and I am very excited to see what they do with their futures.”
"Outstanding application and determination"
Dr Frederick Attenborough, Programme Leader for Sociology:
“It is with pleasure that we congratulate our first graduating cohort of BA Sociology students. The outstanding application and determination that the students have shown has been encouraging to witness. BGU as an institution is confident that the degree has afforded these students the opportunity to develop a wide range of transferable skills and that this will stand them in good stead for the future. We wish them well in their future careers"
“A real pleasure”
Nicki Walsh, Programme Leader for Health & Social Care:
“Having the opportunity to launch a course that is often thought of as “second best” in many universities and turn it into a degree that people are actively choosing has been fantastic. Working alongside a committed group of students has been a real pleasure. We’ve been able to offer them a course that is flexible to their interests and in turn we’ve had the opportunity to learn and evolve from their experiences.”
"A great privilege"
Jenny Hamilton, Programme Leader for Counselling:
“It has been a great privilege to lead and develop Counselling as a new subject at BGU. I have enjoyed working with our first cohort of students on our Psychology & Counselling degree. I was so pleased and proud to see our first graduates. I would like to say thanks and congratulations for all of their effort and hard work. It is an exciting time for the course and subject of Counselling at BGU as we continue to expand and develop our staff team and course portfolio. I look forward to celebrating more graduates next year!”
You can see photos from this year’s amazing ceremonies here and if you’d like to find out what adventures await you at BGU, visit our course pages or speak to a member of our Enquiries Team today.