Classmates, friends, whānau and a few tears - UCOL Whanganui | Te Pūkenga gathered them all as 188 ākonga (students) celebrated their graduation on Friday, April 5.
Across the four campuses in Whanganui, Manawatū, Wairarapa, and Horowhenua, a total of 1329 graduates were eligible to cross the stage.
Among them was this year’s Valedictorian - Charlene McGechan, graduating with her Bachelor of Nursing.
“It just feels surreal,” says McGechan. “I’m the first in my family to hold a degree and with that came sacrifices I had to make along the way. I only hope for my children and other Pasifika women to be inspired to become better versions of themselves and to embrace the opportunities we have here in New Zealand.”