Lining Up For Buxton Graduation
21 October 2006
The spectacular Graduation venue.
I was elected to represent the students here for a sabbatical year, but when that finishes I intend to stay on and complete the BA (Hons) in Culinary Arts.
”Scott Carlton, University of Derby Students’ Union Vice-President for Buxton
Saturday October 21 saw the spectacle of the first ever University of Derby Graduation Ceremony take place at the Devonshire Campus in Buxton. And some of the 60 students graduating may never have set foot on site!
The internet was the classroom for one pilot group of students graduating tomorrow. Seven hairdressers studied for a Foundation Degree in Hairdressing and Salon Management combining the experience they already had as hairdressers with academic analysis and higher level learning of essential business skills.
Five of the graduates work for salons in the Stephen Miller Group. They include Managing Director Julie Miller (43), who is based at the Drayton Street Salon in Newcastle-under-Lyme; Alison McKenna (34), Manager of the salon at Swan Bank in Congleton, Cheshire, and Melanie Merry (30), a member of the Artistic Team; and Marie Stafford (36), Senior Manager, and Sarah Pound (41), Partner, who work at the Hartshill salon and the Wolstanton salon.
Two other students, Jean McKean (50) and Lynda Johnson (46), who work for the Wirral Metropolitan College in Birkenhead, will not be able to attend the ceremony, but will progress to the final year of the BA (Hons) in Hairdressing and Salon Management.
“Only two of the modules we teach on the Foundation Degree are practical,” said Programme Leader Louise Buxton. “All our pilot students already had vocational qualifications in hairdressing to Level 3. What the degree teaches are the business skills and the more specialist knowledge required by managers in the industry.
“Subjects we teach include: marketing, human resource management, an introduction to salon management, the business environment, purchasing and cost control, hair and scalp disorders, and an introduction to trichology.
“The biggest challenge for our students was presenting their analytical work in an academic format. They rose to that challenge tremendously and progressed throughout the course.”
Michael Myciunka is a successful hairdresser who decided to take his studies even further with a BA (Hons) degree in Applied Business (Business Development) studied through ufi/Learndirect Learning Through Work.
Michael (40), from Bradford, gained a first class degree and, in addition, was awarded the Vice-Chancellor’s Prize for Academic Excellence. He put in the best undergraduate performance at the University of Derby Buxton. He has now embarked on a Masters' degree with the University, also via Learning Through Work.
The 60 graduates from academic programmes based at our Buxton Campus collect their awards alongside two special honorary graduates - Her Grace, The Dowager Duchess of Devonshire and Roy Hattersley, Baron Hattersley of Sparkbrook in the West Midlands.
In total 120 students will receive academic awards from the Buxton Faculty this year.
Both Lord Hattersley and The Duchess each will become Honorary Doctors of the University (HonDUniv) for their services to the County of Derbyshire and their dedication to the life of the Peak District.
On Saturday morning the people of Buxton will be treated to the sight of two processions of academic staff, students and dignitaries - many in colourful academic robes - led by the Fairfield Brass Band as they make their way from the Devonshire Campus to St Anne’s Church for a Thanksgiving Service at 11am.
At 11.40am the procession will make its way back through the streets to the Devonshire where the formal Awards Ceremony will begin at 12.30pm.
Other graduates collecting their degrees at the ceremony include Peter Robinson, who receives an MA in The Representation and Perception of Tourism; and Andrew Garner and Maria Valero Aunon who both graduate with joint honours degrees in Adventure Tourism and Outdoor Recreation.
Scott Carlton, University of Derby Students’ Union Vice-President for Buxton, collects his Foundation Degree in Professional Culinary Arts, and he also gives the student vote of thanks.
Scott (20), from Main Road, Barnstone in Nottinghamshire, said: “My dream is to be a chef. I admire Gordon Ramsay for the hard work and dedication he has put into his career. But I was also inspired by my Food Technology teacher at Toothill Comprehensive, Mrs Brown, who had been a chef and decided to take up teaching.
“She believed in me and encouraged me to apply for the Foundation Degree at Buxton. I was elected to represent the students here for a sabbatical year, but when that finishes I intend to stay on and complete the BA (Hons) in Culinary Arts.”
Students also graduated with BA (Hons) degrees in Events Management, Hospitality Management, Hospitality with Licensed Retail Management and Outdoor Activities Management. The BSc (Hons) degree in International Spa Management will see its second group of students graduate from this world leading course.
Others graduated with Foundation Degrees in Beauty and Spa Services, Football Studies, Public Services, Supporting Learners and Voluntary Sector Management (in partnership with St John Ambulance).
BTEC Higher National Diplomas (HNDs) were awarded in Hospitality Management, Hospitality with Licensed Retail Management and Sports Studies. Eleven students received their Post Compulsory Education and Training Certificates in Education.
-ends-
Pictures available on request.
For media enquiries, call: Simon Butt, Press and PR Officer, 07748 920023, or email s.butt@derby.ac.uk.
