WCUC is the Higher Education arm of college group WCG and the two ceremonies saw students from Royal Leamington Spa College, Rugby College, Moreton Morrell College and Pershore College graduating.
The university centre took over the town centre for the day with three venues for gowning, photos, the graduation ceremony and the post-event celebrations.
It featured a pair of ceremonies on the day including a morning and afternoon ceremony, with college staff and dignitaries processing through the town centre to St Mary’s Church, led by newly appointed WCG CEO and Principal Sara-Jane Watkins.
The graduates came from a wide range of courses, including Business, Counselling and Psychotherapy, Early Years, Computing, Performing Arts, Engineering, Agritech, Equine Therapy and Rehabilitation, Veterinary Physiotherapy, Veterinary Nursing and many more.
During the ceremony, the graduates and their guests were addressed by Gill Clipson MBE, Chair of the Corporation Board for WCG and Sara-Jane Watkins.
They also heard from two individuals who received Fellowships from WCUC. Louise Bennett OBE, former CEO of Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce and Vice Lord Lieutenant of the West Midlands spoke at the morning ceremony.
Colin Hooper, former Estates Director at Stoneleigh Park and long-time member of the board of governors of WCG, received a Fellowship in the afternoon ceremony.
Each ceremony also saw a vote of thanks from a graduate on behalf of the class of 2024 from BA (Hons) Business and Management graduate Elizabeth Thomas and BSc (Hons) Veterinary Nursing graduate Claudia Agrusa.
WCG CEO and Principal Sara-Jane Watkins, who was attending her first graduation event since joining the college group earlier this year, said: “Graduation is a significant milestone, it’s a time for graduates to reflect on what they have achieved and to consider the opportunities that are ahead.
“All of our graduates should feel a real pride, not only for their achievements, but for the journey that has brought them here.
“It has been a period of change and unrest, domestically and globally, for students studying on degree courses for the last three years – headlined with the challenges brought by the pandemic.
“Our graduates have shown remarkable resilience and determination to get to this stage. With their skills, knowledge, creativity and kindness, our graduates are equipped to tackle the challenges of an uncertain world.
“It was my absolute pleasure to celebrate the incredible achievements of our graduates. I feel truly fortunate to have been able to share in their special day.”
WCUC offers higher education courses in a wide range of subjects through full time and part-time options. To find out more visit www.wcuc.ac.uk
