Smiles pride, delight, joy ... all etched on the faces of students as they stepped up to receive their accolades.
It was a day to remember for them, their family and friends as up to 900 people gathered at the Cathedral, in Bury St Edmunds, for the Graduation Ceremony of UCS Bury St Edmundson, on Saturday.
A total of 186 graduands were presented with awards with a further 14 getting special prizes for outstanding work and comittment.
The glittering annual event, which was attended by civic dignitaries and VIPs, including the High Sheriff of Suffolk Sir Edward Greenwell, the Mayor of St Edmundsbury Terry Buckle and senior university and college staff, included the presentaiton of an honorory degree of Doctor of the University to former Zimbabwean test cricketer Henry Olonga who made his international debut in 1995 becoming the youngest player to represent his country and also the first black cricketer to play for Zimbabwe.
The colourful ceremony began with a procession through the cathedral which was led by the university mace bearer. the Provost of UCS Mike Saks, representatives from the University of Essex, members of the academic staff and senior officers of UCS.
Mr Olonga achieved international recognition (along with team mate Andy Flower) in 2003 by wearing a black armband in a Cricket World Cup match to protest against the policies of Zimbabwe’s government, led by Robert Mugabe, and has continued to be a campaigner for democracy in his country.
It led to a warrant being issued for his arrest on charges of treason, which carries the death penalty in Zimbabwe and forced him to retire from international cricket and temporarily go into hiding.
Since retiring from cricket his decision to wear the armband has been detailed in his critically acclaimed autobiography and was nominated for the Best Autobiography award at the British Sports Book Awards 2011.
He is also an accomplished musician and now spends most of his time performing and spreaking to groups and organisations around the country. Details of his amazing life and career were outlined in a glowing tribute by Dr Julian Case, senior lecturer in English at UCS, before Mr Olonga was presented with his degree.
He went on to tell students and those crowded in the cathedral to treasure each moment of their lives and give their best in whatever they do and to make a difference.
He added: “Try to leave the world a better place then when you found it.”
Then it was the turn of the students to step up to collect their awards and the joy was clear to see for all as they collected their much deserved accolades.
The Graduation Prizewinners 2013
Camera Dynamics Award
Sponsored by Camera Dynamics Ltd
Awarded to the student who has shown outstanding commitment and determination within the School of Business, Enterprise and Tourism
Winners: Dana Simurdova and Jana Simurdova, from Bury St Edmunds
Towergate Risk Solutions Cup
Sponsored by Towergate Risk Solutions
Awarded to the outstanding student on a Management course
Winner: Jennie Ward, from Bury St Edmunds
Jennifer J Black Cup
Sponsored by Gerald Black (in memory of his late wife)
Awarded to the outstanding Hospitality student showing the most progress and dedication
Winner: Ben Buckmaster, from Palgrave
Busy Bees Prize
Sponsored by Busy Bees at West Suffolk Hospital
Awarded to the outstanding student of the year in Children’s Care, Learning and Development
Winner: Kerrie Williams, from Haverhill
Waterstones Prize for English and History
Sponsored by Waterstones
Awarded to the student making exceptional progress on the BA (Hons) English and History
Winner: Francis Hales, from Stradbroke
Lloyds Bank Shield
Sponsored by Lloyds Bank
Awarded to the student making exceptional progress on the BSc (Hons) Psychology and Sociology
Winner: Susana Andrews, from Bury St Edmunds (Portuguese)
Professional Development Prize
Sponsored by The West Suffolk Professional Development Centre
Awarded to the Teacher Education student of the year
Winner: Louise Dyer, from Thurston
BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT Prize
Sponsored by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT
Awarded for the best overall performance on the FdSc Computing and Networking course
Winner: Peter Kotus, from Bury St Edmunds
C H Lindsey & Son Outstanding Achievement Award in Building Services Engineering
Sponsored by C H Lindsey & Son Ltd
Awarded to the outstanding student who consistently demonstrated high levels of achievement
Winner: Allan Peacock, from Braintree
Design Award for FdSc Construction
Sponsored by MLT Architects
Awarded to the student showing outstanding design and innovation skills during the completion of the Project Module
Winner: Dariusz Dracynski, from North Lopham, near Diss
CIOB Best Professional Construction student at UCS Bury St Edmunds
Sponsored by The Chartered Institute of Building – East of England Branch
Awarded to the best Professional Construction student
Winner: Gary Fowler, from Bury St Edmunds
BSc Construction Management Student of the Year
Sponsored by Taylor Wimpey East Anglia
Awarded to the most improved student on a built environment course
Winner: Lewis Nicholas, from Gorleston
Finance Cup
Sponsored by Baker Tilly
Awarded for outstanding performance on an Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) course
Winner: Kerry Blackman, from Haverhill
Havebury Award for Design Innovation
Sponsored by The Havebury Housing Partnership
Awarded for the best technical innovation within the contexts of sustainable construction, development and community living
Winner: Paul Rudland, from Stowmarket
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