Graduation 2009 FCET

The skies threatened rain but the sun shone on the faculty's graduation day July 8th  2009. The morning saw mostly Computing students graduate while the afternoon was dominated by Engineering and Technology

Honorary Graduate Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock, seen processing with Vice Chancellor Christine King, spoke of her life and how she has managed to get where she is, working for Astrium  the world's third largest space company, and travelling to schools endeavouring (successfully!) to inspire enthusiasm for space in pupils. 

She also spoke of her achievements which include a degree in Physics and PhD in Mechanical Engineering, both from Imperial College.  Maggie's TV career  helps interest the school children and she is amazed to be seen as a role model when she feels that she isn't one of the 'shiny people'.  

Maggie told the graduates that every one of them was a role model, that they would shine and inspire others to achieve. 

TV as a platform to inspire as well as entertain links our two honorary graduates.

Honorary Graduate Bill Garrett, BBC Head of Vision Technology, first graduated from the faculty in 1990 with a degree in electronic engineering and was, along with his fellow Staffs graduates, part of the technological revolution of the nineties which has so changed our world.  Bill had a few interesting changes of his own with working in many and varied areas including as an antipodean helicopter pilot for two years plus undertaking  research and journalism.  Eventually Bill came back to the UK and the BBC first as a producer and then moving into technology.

Bill has been back to the faculty many times since reaching his current position both to advise  students and on course development - applied degrees thrive on input from industry - and to judge at GradEX an experience that he thoroughly enjoys.  In Bill's words 'This Faculty's degrees keep pace with technology ... and prepare graduates for the the future world of work'  Bill is doubly proud to be both a graduate of the faculty and an honorary graduate of the University.

Not everyone in the hall listened with rapt attention.  There were some who just saw it a chance to get the weight off their paws while off duty! 

Hearing dog relaxes while the audience applaud graduates.

Deputy Vice Chancellor Paul Richards congratulates Film Technology student Tom Evans.

Tom's Final Year Project, based on film editing using Apple Mac and Final Cut Pro, was one of those shown at GradEX 09.

Graduates mount the stage and shake the deputy Vice Chancellor's hand, then cross the stage.  The whole event is filmed so graduates can have a DVD of their special day.  Friends and families stand and cheer 'their' graduate as they cross the stage and return to the hall.

Film Production Technology Graduates celebrating at the foot of the statue of Perseus.  While Perseus holds his sword and the head of Medusa aloft in celebration of his victory the students hurl their mortar boards aloft in celebration of theirs - fortunately no hats fell in the lake!

Trentham Gardens is a fitting location for the Graduation ceremony convenient for both Stoke and Stafford.  With lovingly restored gardens it is beautiful in the sunshine.

Graduates celebrated in many different ways on a lovely sunny afternoon.  Some quietly reflected on their achievements by the lake.

The lake stretches through gardens and it is difficult to believe seeing it now that the lake and river were an industrial sewer when the Stoke University site was founded just over 100 years ago.  The kind offer of Trentham as a site for the school of Pottery and Mining by the Duke of Sutherland was then declined by the founders but now we enjoy coming back to celebrate.

Other Graduates celebrated with friends.

Graduation is a day of smiles and tears (mostly by parents) as one of Wednesday's graduates says.

"Thank you for the memorable Graduation ceremony on Wednesday, I really had a great day. It had both of my parents blubbering, and a good few emotional goodbyes.

I've had a great time at Staffs Uni, met some of my best friends and the woman I'm going to marry (2011 hopefully!) - I'm now looking forward to starting my masters course. "

We don't promise our students wedding bells but we think the rest holds true for most of them.

Some found something to laugh at.   Graduation is a fun day in a special place.

Trentham was the Duke and Duchess of Sutherland's Staffordshire home and the gardens are now restored to the elegance of the ducal estate whilst being being enjoyed by many.  Of course we in the faculty think all our graduates are aristocracy!

Formal photographs are taken in the photographer's marquee but the gardens make an ideal backdrop for more informal ones.

Refreshments are provided as part of the day in marquees and many people picnic on the lawns and some have a beer!

Other graduates look forward to the next graduation ceremony that they will attend as postgraduates with an MSc, MPhil or PhD.

Postgraduates from the Computing awards stand as the platform party procession leaves the hall.  Graduates join the procession and are applauded by all in the hall and then walk down an applauding double aisle of academic staff for a final formal goodbye before we all relax in the refreshment marquee.