THE much-anticipated Borders College Graduation 2022 Ceremony took place this month at the Borders Events Centre in Kelso, giving students the opportunity to celebrate the successful completion of their studies.
The ceremony is the highlight of the year for both staff and students and the college welcomed the graduates, along with their families and friends, to the annual celebration.
Chair of Borders College Ray McGowan said: “This is the best day in the Borders College Calendar. It is the day when the college comes together to acknowledge and recognise the achievements of its students.
“I want to take a minute or two to acknowledge the amazing achievements of today’s graduates, who, despite the many challenges over the last couple of years, have overcome all of them and have truly earned the right to collect their certificates today.
“Congratulations to you all and thank you to the guest’s families and friends for their support of the graduates.”
College Principal Pete Smith congratulated the graduates said: “The skills that we provide for our students at Borders College are essential in ensuring that the Borders community grows and thrives.
“We have had many successes over the last year but, the most important is that of our students, represented by our graduates here today.
“I congratulate you all on your success today. It is a tribute to your hard work and dedication, along with the support of your friend and families and the support of your lecturers, that has helped develop your skills.
“Whether your next chapter is employment, further study or travel, or another exciting challenge, we wish you well. You are part of the Borders College community and as you leave here today go out and be the best you can be. This is your moment, treasure it.”
Pete also presented this year’s Honorary Fellowship to Jodie Miller.
Jodie’s passion for care saw him work in various NHS roles after leaving school, including as a Nursing Assistant and Senior Support Worker, working with adults with learning difficulties and enduring mental health problems.
Jodie then went on to work in the hospitality trade, running and managing family-owned hotels in the Borders. A change of career at age 38 saw him enrolling with Borders College to study Hairdressing, something he describes as the best decision he ever made. Throughout his studies, he won Student of the Year and, on completion, opened his own salon, Millar’s Hair, in 2015.
He is an ex-chairman of the Gail Wilson Memorial Trust, ex-chairman and current vice chairman and principal marshal of the Braw Lads Gathering Executive Council, president of the Right Angle Theatre Company, and is on the board of custodians at the 5th Ward Community Hall in Galashiels.
Jodie recently described being made Borders College Honorary Fellow as an absolute honour.
This year’s ceremony was live-streamed, allowing family and friends, who were unable to attend to join the celebrations virtually, and was a real success.
The Graduation was a brilliant way to highlight the end of an amazing chapter in the life of our students, and we were delighted to see everyone enjoying their day.
Graduates from this year’s ceremony are listed in their department areas below:
Department of Enterprise and Business Innovation
Susan Rennie - PDA Operational Leadership and Management Alison Richards - SVQ in Care Services Leadership and Management Level 4 Shirley Cooper - SVQ in Healthcare Support (Clinical) Level 3 Melissa Milne - SVQ in Healthcare Support (Clinical) Level 3 Carol Oliver - SVQ in Healthcare Support (Clinical) Level 3 Angela Robinson - SVQ in Healthcare Support (Clinical) Level 3 Susan White - SVQ in Healthcare Support (Clinical) Level 3 Bruce Chisholm - SVQ in Management Level 3 Lesley Irvine - SVQ in Social Services (Children and Young People) Level 4
Samantha Millan - SVQ in Social Services (Children and Young People) Level 4 Gemma Nicolson - SVQ in Social Services (Children and Young People) Level 4 Nicole Byers - SVQ in Social Services (Children and Young People) Level 3 Beata Kendra-Jones - SVQ in Social Services (Children and Young People) Level 3 Nicola Laing - SVQ in Social Services (Children and Young People) Level 3 Jacqueline Locke - SVQ in Social Services (Children and Young People) Level 3 Chelsea Lowe - SVQ in Social Services (Children and Young People) Level 3 Stacey Papastamatiou - SVQ in Social Services (Children and Young People) Level 3 Courtney Reid - SVQ in Social Services (Children and Young People) Level 3 Peter Robertson - SVQ in Social Services (Children and Young People) Level 3 Tegan Wilson - SVQ in Social Services (Children and Young People) Level 3 Leonie Lough - SVQ in Social Services and Healthcare Level 4 Inga Arlauskiene - SVQ in Social Services and Healthcare Level 3 Jen Brown - SVQ in Social Services and Healthcare Level 3 Jade Coates - SVQ in Social Services and Healthcare Level 3 Lesleyanne Crawford - SVQ in Social Services and Healthcare Level 3 Christine Fisher - SVQ in Social Services and Healthcare Level 3 Hannah Inglis - SVQ in Social Services and Healthcare Level 3 Shellie Johnson - SVQ in Social Services and Healthcare Level 3 Sarah McMillan - SVQ in Social Services and Healthcare Level 3 Jan Renton - SVQ in Social Services and Healthcare Level 3 Magdalena Ruszkowska - SVQ in Social Services and Healthcare Level 3 Kirsty Turnbull - SVQ in Social Services and Healthcare Level 3
Creative Industries and Business
Reece Macfarlane - HND Art and Design Jessica Christine McCreadie - HND Art and Design Johanna Taylor - HND Art and Design Andreea Catalina Petrisor - HNC Art and Design Billie Jayne Dishington - HND Business Tanya Thomson - HND Business Ben Cruikshank - Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Professional Cooker Alana Third - Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Professional Cookery
Rural Skills
Liam Govan - HND Animal Care Rachel Macvicar - HND Animal Care Tom Brendan Martin - HND Animal Care Felix Johannes Meister - HNC Game and Wildlife Management
University of Highlands and Islands
Mo Brown - HNC Horticulture
Sport and Outdoor Activities
Matthew Mcdonald - HND Coaching and Developing Sport Lewis Watt - HND Coaching and Developing Sport
Health, Social Care, Supported Programmes and Childhood Practice
Lara Marie Macgregor - HNC Care and Administrative Practice Patricia Belle Abris - HND Childhood Practice Lauren McMullan - HND Childhood Practice Rachael Mary Barnett - HNC Childhood Practice Zoe Louise Borthwick - HNC Childhood Practice Kaci Loftus - HNC Childhood Practice Ludmila Maliha - HNC Childhood Practice Kimberley O’May - HNC Childhood Practice Emma Patterson - HNC Childhood Practice Kirsty Louise Duff - PDA Developing Professional Practice in Health and Social Care Pauline Scott - PDA Developing Professional Practice in Health and Social Care Hannah Zoe Bolton - HNC Social Services Amy Bremner - HNC Social Services Lilian Tarisai Chiwanza - HNC Social Services Dominika Guziel - HNC Social Services Angela Hinton - HNC Social Services Adrian Locke - HNC Social Services Sophie Lowe - HNC Social Services Andrea Dawn Jane Mclachlan - HNC Social Services Shanice Miller - HNC Social Service Nikita Weatherston - HNC Social Services
STEM
Steven Lee - HNC Computing Igor Malihs - HNC Electrical Engineering Steph Rowley - Diploma in Light Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Principles
Sustainable Construction
Eoin Mackenzie - PDA Carpentry and Joinery Saul Smedley - PDA Carpentry and Joinery
University of Aberdeen
Mark Catto - Teaching Qualification (Further Education) Jana Chandler - Teaching Qualification (Further Education) David James Slight - Teaching Qualification (Further Education) Colin Waddell - Teaching Qualification (Further Education)
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