Awards Ceremonies

26 January 2010

Two of our new graduates celebrate their success.

Crime and Justice mature graduate Nichola Forrest also received three University academic awards.

Video and Photographs from the Ceremonies

More than 10,000 well-wishers joined in the celebrations at Derby's annual Awards Ceremonies in January.

Around 2,000 graduating students wore mortar boards and robes in the University colours of red and pale blue to collect their degree certificates during six ceremonies over two days, at the Derby Assembly Rooms.

It's a highlight of the academic year at Derby and the event also saw five high achievers with links to Derbyshire receive honorary awards for their personal accomplishments in their careers:

They were:

Christopher Charlton - one of the Arkwright Society's most high profile officials, who became an Honorary Doctor of the University;
Peter Gadsby - the successful businessman and entrepreneur became an Honorary Doctor of Business Administration;
Simon Groom - theformer Blue Peter presenter and now documentary maker became an Honorary Master of the University;
Roy McFarland - soccer legend, former England player and Derby County FC club manager, who was made an Honorary Master of the University;
Margaret Whittaker - founder and Chairman of business Slimming World, who became an Honorary Master of the University.

On both days there was a procession to Derby Cathedral for a Thanksgiving Service. The Oriole Marching Jazz Band and the Heage Brass Band performed en route, on Friday and Saturday respectively.

University transport staff worked with local authorities to manage the University and city centre park and ride service.

Support staff at the University's Kedleston Road site ensured visitors were welcomed, fed and transported to the Assembly Rooms.

Other staff and students were on hand to help at the ceremonies, including the Buxton Campus's Catering and Hospitality students, who catered for the VIP guests in the Mayor's Parlour at the Council House.

The graduation ball, called the Snowball, organised by the University of Derby Students' Union, was held at Kedleston Road on the Saturday night. The entertainment was headlined by one of this year's X Factor finalists, Rachel Adedeji, and electro pop artist Example.

High Achievers

Academic staff highlighted the excellent achievements of some of the students who graduated at the Awards Ceremonies:

*Judie Taylor in Creative Expressive Therapies outlined the success of Reuben Francis, who has landed work as the Extended Services Play Leader for Rutland County Council following his degree.

It's been a busy first few months in post for Reuben. Work is underway to develop several play areas in the county and in December, a new £200,000 mobile play provision was launched to boost play and recreation opportunities for young people in Rutland's villages.

The activity centre is packed with sports and games equipment, a snooker table, circus skills equipment, arts and crafts, music and much more to keep eight to 13-year-olds entertained.

Reuben also has his own business as a creative arts specialist, facilitating arts workshops for people of all ages, to provide opportunities for creativity, self expression, the development of self-esteem and learning through play.

*Brian Counter highlighted the success of four students gaining FdSc Built Environment Civil Engineering degrees, who had also obtained Eng Tech TMICE professional recognition following a review in July 2009. They are Charlie Whittaker, Hannah Barratt, Richard Spendlove and Jamie Stone.

*David Walsh highlighted the success of Nichola Forrest, 41, of Mickelover, Derby.

The mature student received a First for her BA (Hons) Crime and Justice degree course.

She also scooped the Mick Miller Memorial Award for Outstanding BA (Hons) Crime and Justice Student of the Year, and the Vice-Chancellor's 2009 Prizes for both Academic Excellence for Best Undergraduate Performance in BCL and for Across the University.

Nichola said: "To think I've achieved such great accolades is truly amazing."

*Karen Newberry nominated the achievements of BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy student Katie Wood, from Yeaveley, near Ashbourne, who worked with homeless people on a placement project for the Salvation Army in Sneinton, in Nottingham.

The placement was part of Katie's degree course.

Karen said: "The placement was both personally and professionally challenging, as Katie had to establish a working relationship with both staff and service users and identify what Occupational Therapy could offer in this setting.

"As homeless services on a national scale move their focus towards supporting people who are homeless into both long term accommodation and employment, and in facilitating them to live meaningful lives, there appears to be an expanding role for occupational therapists in this area of work."

Katie added: "It was a challenge and my skills were helpful in offering one-to-one support and organising activities for some of the people using the service."

Following qualification, Katie is now working for mental health services in Staffordshire. She feels that the skills and knowledge gained in the placement equipped her well for the selection process to get employment and will do in her future career.

Faculty Prizewinners

Outstanding academic and personal achievements are rewarded with prizes. Some of this year's winners are listed below.

Faculty of Arts, Design and Technology prizewinners included:

The Sir Denning Pearson Prize, sponsored by The Rolls Royce Heritage Trust, went to Dave Pritchard, 24, of Poltimore, Exeter, on the BEng (Hons) in Mechanical Engineering degree course. He received a £200 cheque and plaque;
The Sir Henry Royce Memorial Prize went to Jamie Williams, 26, of Watermint Close, Littleover, also on the BEng (Hons) in Mechanical Engineering course, who received a £100 cheque and medal;
The Doctor Paul Lowery Prize was won by Darren Anthony Pickard, 41, of Walcote Close, Belper, on the BEng (Hons) in Electrical and Electronic Engineering degree course. He received a £200 Cheque and a shield;
BA (Hons) Textile Design student Laura Willey, 22, of Market Deeping, Peterborough, received the Bradford Textile Society's 'First Prize in Wool' Award;
BA (Hons) in Media Studies student Heather Sims, 24, of Prince Charles Avenue, Derby, won both the University's own in-house Dean's Prize for Best Film and Media Student, and Film and Media Prize - Best Independent Studies Award.

Faculty of Business, Computing and Law prizewinners this year included:

The Irene Lewis Award to BA (Hons) Human Resource Management graduate Thomas Briggs. He received £500;

Toyota sponsored awards for BA (Hons) Business Studies students (both prizewinners received £100 with their award) were -

Joanne Hems, 23, of Maple Drive, Chellaston, winner of the Toyota Award for Best BA (Hons) Business Studies Student;
Dale Spademan, 35, of Roper Avenue, Heanor, scooped the award for Best BA (Hons) Business Studies Independent Study;
The Lucy Ann Butcher Memorial Prize this year went to Valentina Stuto, 22, of Italy, and Tomasz Madej, 22, of Krakow, Poland; both graduates of the BA (Hons) International Business course. Both received £50;
The Arthur Ashby Award went to Piotr Artemjew, 22, of Warsaw, Poland, from the Joint Honours Business Management & Psychology degree course. He received £300.

Faculty of Education, Health and Sciences prizewinners this year included:

Rob Winfield, of the BSc (Hons) Geography course, won The Arthur Guest Memorial Prize;
Grace Akumu, BSc (Hons) Third World Development, won Best Degree Award Student- Third World Development;
Mohammed Yusuf, on the CSP Sociology, BA Sociology & BA Social and Cultural Studies course won the Judith Toone Memorial Award (for successful completion in the face of challenging circumstances);
Donna Chambers, also on the CSP Sociology, BA Sociology & BA Social and Cultural Studies course won the Dean's Prize for Outstanding Academic Achievement;
Lynda Morton and Charles Templeton, of the BA (Hons) Applied Social Work (Diploma in Social Work) course won the Sally Stepanian Prize for Excellence in Practice;
Alex Barto-Smith, Donna Webster, Karla Barker and Beth Hannah Freeman scooped various Hays Education Awards;
Emily Gidman, MSc Clinical Pharmacy, won Best Graduating Diploma Student;
Vanessa Stapleton, on the Advanced Diploma Nursing Studies course received the Special Achievement Award (Chesterfield),(sponsored by UNISON Derbyshire Healthcare);
Keelie Stock, also on Advanced Diploma Nursing Studies, received The Impact of Learning in Practice Award (sponsored by RCN Learning Zone);
Sally James, Advanced Diploma Nursing Studies, won The Adult Branch Excellence in Practice Award (sponsored by Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust);
Julie Tomlinson, Advanced Diploma Nursing Studies, received the Mental Health Branch Excellence in Practice Award (sponsored by Derbyshire Mental Health Trust).

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