Graduation Day in King’s Lynn (11/03/2009)

Hundreds of proud students and their families packed into King’s Lynn’s historic St Nicholas’s Chapel on Friday 23rd October for the 8th annual College of West Anglia (CWA) graduation ceremony. This year, more than 200 students graduated in 19 different disciplines, including teacher education, management, early years education, humanities, social sciences, computer science, engineering, construction, fine art and fashion. The event started with a ceremonial procession of college staff and civic dignitaries wearing traditional gown and mortar board from the town hall to the chapel, where the graduates and their guests awaited. The ceremony in the chapel was opened by CWA Chair of Governors, Peter Dixon, followed by speeches from the Mayor of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk, Councillor Michael Pitcher, College principal, David Pomfret and ARU Vice Chancellor, Professor Mike Thorne. The 200 graduates were then presented to Mr Pomfret and Professor Thorne by the relevant college faculty heads to receive their awards.

In his address to the gathering, David Pomfret pointed to the success of the joint venture partnership between the college and ARU: “The fact that we are able to offer such a diverse and high quality range of higher education locally is due to the successful partnership we have established with Anglia Ruskin University. We work exclusively with the university to offer an ever-widening, student-centred range of courses. Our commitment to higher education has never been stronger and we want to raise aspirations, improve skills in the area and provide greater opportunities for everyone.

Professor Mike Thorne, in his speech, reminded guests of the important part played by employers in the students’ success: “ Let us not forget the employers who have supported many of our students on their vocational courses. Without their help and commitment, many would have found it very difficult to progress in their studies.”

The Anglia Ruskin University Student of the Year Award was presented to Daniel Frapell by Cajiten d’Silva, Head of UK Partnerships and Progression at ARU. Daniel graduated with a first class honours BSc Computer Science and is now putting his talents to good use as a teacher at the college.

At the end of the ceremony, the newly-conferred graduates joined the procession out of the chapel and the event finished with a reception in the nearby Corn Exchange.