Students Will Celebrate Achievements At Awards
13 November 2012
Graduates celebrating at a previous year's awards ceremony at the Buxton Campus
This is a fantastic annual celebration enjoyed by our staff, graduates and their families. It is an opportunity to celebrate the successes of our graduates whilst also showcasing the talents of our current students, as they deliver what is a truly spectacular event.
”Dr Peter Dewhurst, Strategic Director of the University of Derby Buxton
Graduate Chrissy Edwards, right, promoting an event at the Dome she worked on as part of her degree,
Hundreds of former students will travel from across the UK and the globe to Buxton on Saturday (November 17) as they return to the town to graduate from the University of Derby Buxton at its sparkling annual Awards Ceremony.
Around 300 former students will be joined at the ceremony by two high profile figures. Co-founder of the Tesco Clubcard Programme, Edwina Dunn, and serving Naval Commanding Officer Rear Admiral Peter Hudson CBE, will both receive Honorary Doctorates at the ceremony at the campus' iconic Grade II* Devonshire Dome.
All of those attending have been invited to join a procession led by the Fairfield Brass Band from the Dome to a service at St Anne's Church at 10.15am. They will return to the Dome at 12.15pm for their ceremony, formal photographs and a meal; with dishes being prepared and served by Professional Cookery and Hospitality students of Buxton College.
Dr Peter Dewhurst, Strategic Director of the University of Derby Buxton, said: "'This is a fantastic annual celebration enjoyed by our staff, graduates and their families. It is an opportunity to celebrate the successes of our graduates whilst also showcasing the talents of our current students, as they deliver what is a truly spectacular event."
Among the students graduating this year will be Chrissy Edwards, 25, from Buxton, who will receive a First Class BA (Hons) Events Management degree and take home the 'Capita Symonds Event Management Highest Achiever' award.
When Chrissy first stepped through the doors of the Dome to begin an apprenticeship work placement aged 17 she could never have predicted that eight years later she would walk through it to graduate with a University degree, watched by her fellow students, colleagues, and her baby boy.
As part of an apprenticeship in business, Chrissy began a work placement as an administrator at the University of Derby Buxton in 2004. Her love of events was sparked when she began supporting the University's on-campus events management operation in 2006. Her role and responsibilities grew as the Dome became an increasingly popular venue for dinners, dances, fairs and weddings as well as the University's annual awards ceremonies.
Three years of juggling full time work, putting on show-stopping events, studying until late at night and at weekends to complete her degree meant that at one point Chrissy didn't take a single day off for almost six months. This was especially exhausting when she became pregnant during the final year of her degree.
All of this hard work will certainly pay off when Chrissy graduates and takes home the Capita Symonds award.
Chrissy said: "When I began working for Events at the Dome I realised I had a real passion for organising and putting on events. My manager suggested I start some formal learning to help me purse a career in the industry, and so, although I had never considered a degree before, I applied to study Events Management and was suddenly a University student."
During the last three years Chrissy has led the organisation of Buxton's popular Christmas Fairs, and a number of large weddings and functions, gaining vital work experience to complement her learning. Her accomplishments were recognised in March 2011 when she won the Visit Peak District & Derbyshire's Excel Tourism Awards' 'Most Promising Student or Trainee' Award.
In the last year Chrissy became a mum to baby Ethan, who will watch with her fiancée as she crosses the stage to collect her award. This year an event she has had no hand in organising.
"It will feel so strange being part of the day as a student, not as an Event Assistant as I have been for the last three years.
"Graduation is always one of my favourite events to help to organise but I can't wait for my turn to cross the stage and will enjoy every minute."
For more information on studying Events Management or any other programmes at the University of Derby Buxton visit www.derby.ac.uk/udb
