Degrees of UCOL success honoured

NURSES: Caitlin McKenna, Rachael Liardet-Smith, Stacey Spence and Melanie Brock, graduating with Bachelor of Nursing degrees. PHOTO/LYNDA FERINGA

An onstage proposal of marriage, honorary fellowships, and a dozen of the first teaching degree students to graduate out of Masterton helped mark the UCOL Wairarapa graduation ceremony yesterday.

The event was held before a large crowd of family and supporters and was crowned with a traditional walk down the main street for graduands from Masterton Town Hall to the UCOL Wairarapa campus.

SUPPORT: Angela Hewitt, UCOL Wairarapa campus manager, with Mihi Namana, UCOL Wairarapa kuia who handed out the Te Arawhata Totika Scholarship at the graduation ceremony yesterday. PHOTO/LYNDA FERINGA

Campus manager Angela Hewitt said 175 Wairarapa students were eligible to graduate at the event with degrees, diplomas and certificates and qualifications awarded in building, construction, carpentry, automotive engineering, hairdressing, beauty services, health science, baking and pastry, professional cookery, hospitality, computing, early childhood education and care, business administration, teaching, contemporary music performance, and nursing.

Wairarapa-based musician Warren Maxwell and philanthropist Chris Dugdale were presented with UCOL Council honours' awards for distinguished contribution to UCOL and the community.

Ms Hewitt said graduation was an important time for graduates "to gather together with family, friends, staff and peers to celebrate and acknowledge achievement".

"Today just reminds us what we're all here for - students and tutors.

"It's a special day and we're all so very proud and emotional. To set a personal goal and achieve it is very empowering."

Wairarapa businessman John Braiden was guest speaker and Masterton Mayor Lyn Patterson, South Wairarapa Mayor Adrienne Staples, Carterton Mayor John Booth and John Bunny, Lands Trust Masterton board chairman, handed out awards at the ceremony.

Wairarapa man Leon Nicho also took the opportunity at the ceremony to propose onstage to nursing graduate Katie Greig and was rewarded with a kiss and a blushing "yes" for his courage and daring.