Ayrshire College graduates enjoy special virtual graduation
Ayrshire College’s Class of 2020 has now officially graduated, following a virtual ceremony held on Friday 6 November.
The 2020 ceremony for non-returning HNC and HND graduates was an Ayrshire College graduation unlike any other.
Due to the ongoing restrictions surrounding indoor gatherings, the usual format of three events for East, North and South Ayrshire graduates was unable to go ahead.
Instead, at 7:30pm on Friday 6 November, hundreds of Ayrshire College graduates tuned in live to virtual ceremonies for the following curriculum areas:
- Business, Computing, Travel and Tourism and Events
- Care
- Construction Technology and Trades
- Creative
- Early Years
- Engineering and Science
- Hair, Beauty, Complementary Therapies and Make-Up Artistry
- Hospitality
- Social Sciences
- Sports and Fitness
Hosted by WestFM breakfast DJ Billy Kirkwood, viewers were surprised with messages of congratulations from their lecturers, as well as celebrities including Rangers manager Steven Gerrard, Celtic captain Scott Brown, Still Game actor Mark Cox, and comedian Janey Godley.
The First Minister Nicola Sturgeon also provided a message, telling graduates: “As an Ayrshire girl, it gives me great pleasure to congratulate all of you on your graduation from Ayrshire College. Graduating at any time is a really impressive achievement. But it’s particularly impressive in these really tough times. You’re not getting your usual graduation celebration but hopefully when all of the COVID shenanigans are over, you’ll be able to celebrate in style. But for now, enjoy your achievement. Well done, and congratulations.”
There were 33 special prizes handed out to Ayrshire College students on the night. These were:
At the Ayr Campus:
- Student of the Year for Business, Computing, Travel and Tourism and Events: Leanne Steele, HND Business
- Student of the Year for Care: Samantha Crothers, HNC Care and Administrative Practice
- Student of the Year for Creative: Leah Batty, HNC Music
- Student of the Year for Construction Technology and Trades: Neil Robertson, HNC Architectural Technology
- Student of the Year for Early Years: Donna Rowlands, HNC Childhood Practice
- Student of the Year for Engineering and Science: Rachel Rutter, HNC Applied Science
- Student of the Year for Hair, Beauty, Complementary Therapies and Make-Up Artistry: Amber Buchanan, HND Make-Up Artistry
- Student of the Year for Hospitality: Andrew Hughes, HNC Hospitality
- Student of the Year for Social Science: Kenny Allison, HND Social Science
- Making a Difference in the Community: Lesley O’Hara, HND Travel and Tourism
- Making a Difference in the Community: Nicola McQuillan, HNC Childhood Practice
- Outstanding Achievement: Kai Green, HND Aircraft Engineering
At the Kilmarnock Campus:
- Student of the Year for Business, Computing, Travel and Tourism and Events: Laurie Walker, HND Accounting
- Student of the Year for Care: Kerry McKinnell, HNC Care and Administrative Practice
- Student of the Year for Early Years: Paula Kelly, HNC Childhood Practice
- Student of the Year for Engineering and Science: Elisha Bennison, HNC Manufacturing
- Student of the Year for Hair, Beauty, Complementary Therapies and Make-Up Artistry: Rachel Todd, HNC Beauty Therapy
- Student of the Year for Social Science: Holly Duffy, HND Social Science
- Joint Student of the Year for Sport and Fitness: Ross Munro, HND Coaching and Developing Sport
- Joint Student of the Year for Sport and Fitness: Reegan Stevenson, HND Coaching and Developing Sport
- Making a Difference in the Community: Mental Health United
- Outstanding Achievement: Charlotte Broughton, HND Childhood Practice
At the Kilwinning Campus:
- Student of the Year for Business, Computing, Travel and Tourism and Events: Mark Hudson, HND Games Development
- Student of the Year for Care: Samantha Currie, HNC Care and Administrative Practice
- Student of the Year for Early Years: Caitlin Morton, HNC Childhood Practice
- Student of the Year for Engineering and Science: Stuart Knapp, HNC Electrical Engineering
- Student of the Year for Hair, Beauty, Complementary Therapies and Make-Up Artistry: Melanie McDonald, HND Make-Up Artistry
- Student of the Year for Social Science: Chelsea Fitzpatrick, HNC Social Science
- Student of the Year for Sport and Fitness: Laura Gray, HND Applied Sport Science
- Making a Difference in the Community: Teigan Cochrane, HNC Coaching and Developing Sport
- Outstanding Achievement: Calum Dickson, HNC Social Science
- Outstanding Achievement: Alice Hatfield, HNC Computing with Cyber Security
- Outstanding Achievement: Jade Thomson, HNC Beauty Therapy
Carol Turnbull, Principal of Ayrshire College, said in her speech to the graduates: "It is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of our students, along with those of the wider college, and to reflect on the exceptional talent we have in Ayrshire. Your talent, commitment, and determination to succeed, combined with the new skills and knowledge you have gained during your time at college are vital to the future prosperity and growth of Ayrshire, Scotland and beyond.
"This is a difficult time for you in terms of the economy and job opportunities may be limited at the moment. And yet never have your skills, knowledge, enthusiasm, and determination to succeed been more important. You are the future of our economic prosperity both in Ayrshire and beyond, and although it may seem a hugely challenging environment at present, please remember what you have to offer. It is enormous and will be vital to our recovery."
Elsewhere in the ceremony, East Ayrshire Chief Executive Fiona Lees was awarded the Ayrshire College Fellowship Award.
Fiona said: “I am absolutely thrilled to accept this fellowship award and I do so with great honour and humility. I’m thrilled to be with you on your special night to mark your success and your achievements and to wish you well on the next stage of your journey.”
The 2020 Ayrshire College graduation ceremonies are now available to watch in their entirety on Ayrshire College’s YouTube page.
9 November 2020
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