It was a day in December day they’ll always remember as students were honoured at Dumfries and Galloway College’s Graduation Day.
The event consisted of two ceremonies (morning and afternoon), at Crichton Memorial Church on Monday, December 4, where students graduating from the academic year of 2022-23 received their HNC or HND awards in the curriculum areas of Business, Computing, Creative Industries, Early Education and Childcare, Health and Social Studies, Beauty Therapy, Engineering, Sport & Fitness.
And it was an extra special day for the student prize winners, who had even more reason to celebrate after being recognized as the ‘best in class’.
Prize Winners
Computing Hyder Hussain
Business Russell Williamson
Creative Industries Fiona Oliver
Beauty Therapy Alanna Guthrie
Early Education and Childcare Jordan Peat
Health and Social Studies Tanya Hunter
Engineering Ronan Bunyan
Sport and fitness Natalie Gracie
Crichton Foundation prize Lisa Bell
(sponsored by Crichton Foundation)
Principals Commendations (staff) Shaun McEwan, Donald Poland
Fellowship of 2023 Catherine McWilliam
The students were not the only ones who were honoured on the day as DGC also awarded a college fellowship to Catherine McWilliam.
Born in Dumfries and raised on a dairy farm just outside Stranraer, Catherine was educated at Stranraer Academy before going on to study Media & Marketing at Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh.
Since graduating, Catherine has taken up several positions in the region, including a post with Dumfries and Galloway Council, delivering a community engagement project during Stranraer’s neighbourhood regeneration.
More recently, Catherine joined IoD Scotland in October 2021 after six-and-a-half years supporting community-led enterprise activity with Development Trusts Association Scotland, having supported a number of Dumfries and Galloway based organisations including Stranraer Development Trust, Mid Steeple Quarter, Kirkcudbright Development Trust and Creetown Initiative.
She took over as Nations Director of IoD Scotland in September 2022 and is passionate about promoting good governance and diverse leadership.
Catherine has proven a real asset to Dumfries and Galloway and the college were proud to award her the fellowship of 2023.
Joanna Campbell, Principal, Dumfries and Galloway College, said: “Today is a wonderful day of celebration for you all. I could not be prouder of everyone’s achievement in graduating today – the Class of 2023.
“It is great to welcome students and their families as we all come together with my college colleagues who have supported you all on your learner journey.
“It is also a time to celebrate your achievements and look forward to the next chapter in your life.”
See all the photos from the big day here