Cheers, (happy) tears, confetti and dancing on stage can only mean one thing: the return of De Montfort University Leicester (DMU)’s graduation ceremonies at Curve Theatre.
Tonight more than 350 students from the Faculty of Arts, Design and Humanities celebrated the successful end to years of hard work as they collected their degrees in front of family and friends in the audience - with many more watching online around the world.
“The ceremony was an amazing experience, but bittersweet because I don’t want to leave DMU,” said Konnie Colton, who graduated with a Distinction in Creative Writing MA. She has been a student at DMU for the past five years, and now combines her day job at the University of Wolverhampton with her passion for writing fiction.
She added: “DMU has been part of my life for so long. It is so great, so supportive, friendly and it has a real family environment. I have had the best five years.”
CLICK HERE TO SEE ALL THE PHOTOGRAPHS FROM THE 5PM CEREMONY
Sports Management MSc graduates Sebastian Zabala, James Robertson, Joseph Mee, Phil Craven and Anna Frelich said they had all loved their course, which saw them combine the business of sport with practical visits to meet and spend time with the teams behind famous venues such as Wimbledon, Twickenham, Munich Olympic Park, and more.
“I did History for my undergraduate degree, but sport was always my passion, and this course was perfect as it is so practical,” said Joseph, who is now working in marketing for Birmingham City FC.
Anna, who landed a job with the British Gymnastics organisation while still on the course, said: “We have made good friendships on the course, and it’s great to be able to celebrate together today.”
Graduands got into the party spirit with some dancing across the stage as they collected their certificates from Pro Vice-Chancellor Education Professor Susan Orr who reminded them that they will always be a part of the DMU family.
Mature student Susannah Halliwell is beginning on a new career path after leaving an NHS role to study interior design. She has now collected her degree – and on Monday, begins a new job as a designer for a company in Burton on Trent. “I was working at a hospital but I was obsessed with houses and home décor and wanted to do something creative,” she explained. “The degree has been fantastic, I’ve learned so much and I am looking forward to Monday!”
MSc Architecture graduate Muhammad Asif Khan said: “It [the ceremony] was an unforgettable moment for me to have my family, my children and my wife here to see me and be there to witness it.” Muhammad, a civil engineer, hopes to implement what he has learned at home in Pakistan to encourage more sustainable approach to building and development.
Today’s ceremony is the first in a series of graduation ceremonies this week, which also include honorary degrees being awarded to businessman and social justice campaigner Mark Esho MBE, music producer and creative champion Yasin El Ashrafi and fashion legend Zandra Rhodes.
Posted on Monday 13 February 2023