MORAY COLLEGE GRADUATION time has arrived with the ceremony taking place at Elgin Town Hall today.
Two graduation ceremonies will take place at 11am this morning and again at 2.15pm this afternoon where Peter Graham, who is chair of the board of management and Moray College UHI, will formally welcome those attending both ceremonies.
The presentation of the awards will be carried out by David Paterson, the Principal and Chief Executive with Professor Stuart Gibb, who is Vice Principal (international and external engagement) with the University of the Highlands and Islands.
Guest speaker will be Moray’s former MP and Deputy Leader of the SNP, Angus Robertson.
The ceremony includes a number of special awards for students including the 2017 winner of the Highland Society of London Award. The winner this year is Valerie Ash, who is a Scottish History student.
Her dissertation has the title “Watering Down the Whisky: Alcohol, Abstinence and Temperance in the Scottish Highlands and Islands, 1820-1860.”
Other notable achievements include The James Smith Award, which is awarded to the student who has demonstrated outstanding dedication to their course, fellow students, staff or local community.
This year that award goes to Carrie Thomson. Carrie stands out because throughout her studies she has suffered from severe ill health – she suffers from myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome or ME.
Despite this she has managed her studies despite missing classes over extensive periods and has also volunteered on Moray SOUP. She is now in her Honours year of the BAH Business and Management.