Ayrshire College students graduate at Ayr ceremony
HNC and HND graduates of Ayrshire College’s Ayr Campus celebrated their graduation at Ayr Racecourse, on Thursday 13 October 2022.
This is the first time the College has been able to hold annual graduation celebrations in person since 2019, as a result of previous Covid restrictions.
Over 135 successful students celebrated the completion of their courses in front of family, friends, lecturers and invited guests at Ayr Racecourse. The graduates were presented with a certificate to commemorate their college achievements and following the ceremony, enjoyed refreshments.
Student of the Year awards were also made to nine students, from across all areas of the curriculum, and in addition, three prizes were also awarded for Outstanding Achievement.
The 2022 Ayr graduation prize winners were:
- Student of the Year for Art, Design, Media and Photography: Milo Bell (HND Art and Design)
- Student of the Year for Business and Computing, sponsored by Glasgow Prestwick Airport: Lewis Connor (HND Business)
- Student of the Year for Care, sponsored by SWAPWest: Ann Knox (HNC Healthcare Practice)
- Student of the Year for Construction Technology and Trades, sponsored by Ashleigh (Scotland) Ltd: Mhairi Hopkins (HNC Architectural Technology)
- Student of the Year for Early Years, sponsored by Developing the Young Workforce Ayrshire: Thais Wos (HNC Childhood Practice)
- Student of the Year for Engineering and Science: Ainsley Watson (HNC Applied Sciences)
- Student of the Year for Hospitality, sponsored by SimpsInns: Erin Hamlin (HNC Hospitality)
- Student of the Year for Music, Sound Production and Performing Arts: Nicole Kilpatrick (HNC Music)
- Student of the Year for Social Science, sponsored by South Ayrshire Council: Nathan Wilson (HNC Social Science)
- Outstanding Achievement in Construction Technology and Trades: Ashleigh Philipson (HNC Construction Management)
- Outstanding Achievement in Early Years: Marzena Patorajova (HNC Childhood Practice)
- Outstanding Achievement in Social Science: Dionne Davidson (HNC Social Science)
Another Outstanding Achievement Award, in Business and Computing, was awarded posthumously to HND Accounting graduate Amanda Nichol, who sadly passed away in April 2022. The award was accepted on Amanda’s behalf by her husband Stewart and several of her classmates.
Amanda was described by her lecturers as someone with an “amazing, positive attitude” who “always had a smile on her face”.
Fiona McQueen CBE, Ayrshire College Chair, also announced at the ceremony that the overall Student of the Year for the Ayr Campus, sponsored by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA), was Nicole Kilpatrick, 21 from Kilmarnock, who graduated in HNC Music.
Nicole embraced the challenges that HNC Music would bring with its blended learning approach. She put herself forward for every opportunity available to her and was one of two students to be successfully awarded a work placement role with Ayrshire College’s unique partnership with BBC Scotland. She excelled in assisting with the preparation, logistics and selection process of two live recording sessions for the BBC Introducing in Scotland programme.
Nicole’s band ‘Stepping On Violets’ also performed live for the first time to a sold-out audience at the end-of-year ‘Sun Turtle Records Showcase’.
Maureen Wallace, Regional Manager for Ayrshire at SQA said: “A huge congratulations to Nicole for receiving the overall Student of the Year award. Her hard work, dedication, and passion deserve to be recognised, and I wish her all the best for her future in music.”
Angela Cox, Ayrshire College Principal, said: “Today is about our students reflecting on the incredible learning journey they have been on and celebrating their achievements. Now that they are Ayrshire College alumni, I wish them all continued success in their lives and careers. I hope they embrace the opportunity they have been given and go on to be the best they can be. Congratulations graduates.”
18 October 2022
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