Largest Ever Attendance at UCEM’s December Graduation
Posted on: 14 December, 2017
Reading Town Hall was filled to the rafters with families and friends proudly supporting the largest cohort of alumni at UCEM’s Graduation Ceremony on Saturday.
A sea of mortar boards on the heads of the 109 attending graduands took up the left-hand side of the Concert Hall within the venue, whilst the right-hand side of the Hall and its balcony was teeming with cheering families and friends throughout the ceremony.
Processional music was played by the organist once guests had taken their seats and speeches were made by UCEM’s Chairman of the Board of Trustees, John Gellatly, UCEM Principal and CEO, Ashley Wheaton, and the Guest Speaker, James Wates.
Graduands had travelled from more than 10 different countries across four continents to attend the ceremony and there was even a case where a student from Denmark met up with his mother who had flown from South Africa!
Prizes were handed out to graduands with the best overall performance in their respective programme, in addition to the conferment of certificates, diplomas and degrees, as orchestrated by UCEM’s Deputy CEO and Vice Principal – Strategy and Business Management, Jane Fawkes.
Guests, including the Mayor of Reading, Cllr Rose Williams, were then invited to enjoy some refreshments in the Victoria Hall room of the Town Hall to speak to UCEM staff members and toast the graduates’ achievements.
UCEM Deputy CEO and Vice Principal – Strategy and Business Management, Jane Fawkes, said: “The Graduation Ceremony was a great success, and everyone involved in the day enjoyed the experience. James Wates provide an excellent speech to the graduates, and it was fantastic to see the Town Hall packed.
“It was great to hear the stories of our students and their families. It is humbling to hear what sacrifices people have made to study with UCEM, as well as share their joy on the day.”
UCEM hosts its graduation ceremonies twice a year and the next one is on Saturday, 30 June, 2018.
