SRUC celebrates return to in-person graduations

_{Vet Nurse graduate Sian Whitton with four-month-old cocker spaniel Pippin.}

Almost 300 students will today celebrate the first in-person graduation from SRUC in three years.

A morning ceremony at the University of Glasgow’s Bute Hall will celebrate the achievements of HNC and HND students in the North, Central and South & West faculties, followed by an afternoon ceremony for degree and postgraduate degree students. 

For the past two years graduation ceremonies have been held virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Among the graduates is Sian Whitton - one of the first cohort of BSc (Hons) Veterinary Nursing students to graduate from SRUC’s Barony campus in Dumfries and Galloway.

The 27-year-old from Clackmannanshire, who gained a First-Class Honours degree and was awarded the SRUC Trust Prize for the best fourth year student in Veterinary Nursing, has been offered her dream job as a vet nurse at Broadleys Veterinary Hospital in Stirling.

She said: “I had previously studied at university and achieved a BSc Honours degree. This wasn't a course I enjoyed but I thought at the end it would get me a job I would enjoy - it did not. After some soul searching, I decided to give Vet Nursing a go, and it was the best decision I ever made.

“I chose SRUC because the structure of the VN courses was appealing. The two years of theory allowed me to keep a job alongside my studies so I could support myself and afford my fees. These years of theory also meant when I finally got into placement in third year, I knew what I was doing and why.”

Ahead of the ceremonies, Principal and Chief Executive Professor Wayne Powell said: “We are delighted to be returning to in-person graduations for the first time in three years.

“The last couple of years have been extremely tough on everybody, with the Covid pandemic having an impact on every aspect of daily life. This makes our students’ achievements particularly impressive.”

For more information about studying at SRUC, visit our course catalogue.

Posted by SRUC on 29/08/2022