Posted: Thursday 5 November 2009

College Celebrates Annual Graduation and Awards Ceremony

Kilmarnock College will celebrate their annual graduation and awards ceremony on Wednesday 4 November, at Kilmarnock Grand Hall, with over 160 students receiving their certificates in Higher National Qualifications and Professional Qualifications.

Certificates will be presented to the students by Kilmarnock College Principal Heather Dunk in front of proud family, friends, the College Board of Management, staff and organisations the College works in partnership with.

Kilmarnock College Principal Heather Dunk said: “Our students and staff should be very pleased with what they have achieved this year.  Students have worked very hard to achieve their goals, and our exceptional staff continue to offer students the very best in learning. It is great to see so many of our students graduating with so much support from family and friends. 

“Kilmarnock College strive to provide first class learning opportunities for our students and this is evident from the calibre of this year’s graduates. We wish our graduates every success as they progress to employment and Further and Higher education.” 

Among the 2009 graduating student body is former supermarket worker, 24 year old Samantha Garner from Irvine. 

Samantha, who is graduating with a HNC in Social Care, first came to Kilmarnock College two years ago. Samantha said: “I was stuck in a rut and no longer enjoyed my job, which I had been doing since leaving school. I decided that it was time to change my career and return to education so began looking into different types of courses on offer.  

I was always interested in social work so applied to study this at various colleges in my local area. I knew Kilmarnock was right for me from the second my interview began; the staff were so friendly and enthusiastic. The following August, I enrolled on the NQ Social Care course at Kilmarnock College. I thoroughly enjoyed my time on the NQ and so progressed onto study the HNC. I particularly enjoyed my placement at the Avenue Project in Kilmarnock during my HNC year. It was also during this year that my guidance councillor encouraged me to apply for university and in September this year, I enrolled at Glasgow Caledonian University on the BA (Hons) Social Work course. Two years ago, I would never have believed I would be at university and I am so grateful to the College for giving me the confidence to pursue my dream.” 

Following in her daughter’s footsteps, Samantha’s mother Janette also decided to return to education and in August this year, began the NC Social Care course at Kilmarnock College. 

Samantha added: “I am so pleased and proud of my mother for pursuing something that she also has a passion for. After seeing how much I enjoyed my time at college, she decided to take the leap for herself and I know she won’t regret it.”

Kilmarnock College will also be celebrating a number of students who will receive their Student of the Year Awards. These awards celebrate individuals who have achieved outstanding results in their studies. Kilmarnock College has received numerous nominations from curriculum staff across all departments, further demonstrating the quality of students and positive impact of the College within the local and wider community.  

Fourteen students from subject areas across the College have been selected and will pick up awards, sponsored by various organisations including East Ayrshire Council, Ede and Ravenscroft, GE Caledonian, and Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce, at the ceremony on Wednesday 4 November. 

For further information on courses available at Kilmarnock College go to the courses section or call 01563 523 501. 

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 For more information, contact:

Angela Bonney, Halogen Communications, (T) 0131 202 0120 (F) 0131 225 3757 (E) angela@halogencom.com

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