Harper Adams celebrates Graduation 2013

Posted 20 September 2013

More than 500 students from the ‘Class of 2013’ celebrated the completion of their studies today at Harper Adams University’s annual graduation ceremony.

The students - the first cohort to be presented with their awards since Harper Adams gained full university title - gathered in front of family, academics and VIPs for the ceremony in a marquee on campus this afternoon.

And for family and friends unable to attend, the ceremony was broadcast live on the university’s website for the first time in the event’s history.

Roger Mercer, Chairman of the Board of Governors, opened the ceremony and talked about the continued success of the university, including investment into facilities on campus, the increasing number of scholarships awarded to students in the last year, the expansion of the industry placement programme and the university’s work within the agri-food sector.

“This is a fantastic day. It is the culmination of all these students having completed three or four year courses and having worked extremely hard to do so,” he said.

“It is extremely satisfying to see that come to fruition and must be for all the staff and everyone associated with Harper Adams.”

Welcoming graduands, guests and families to the ceremony, Harper Adams’ Vice-Chancellor, Dr David Llewellyn, highlighted successes over the course of the 2012/13 academic year including Harper Adams being awarded full university title in December last year.

He talked about the ‘immense contributions’ by students, including their achievements in competitions, both nationally and internationally.

He said: “Our graduation ceremony is the culmination of a huge amount of hard work by our students, and it is tremendous to be able to celebrate their success with their parents, friends and guests.

“We look forward to keeping in touch with our graduates in the future and wish them the very best as they embark on their careers.”

A total of 527 awards were handed out including undergraduate, postgraduate and PhDs.

During the ceremony, four VIPs were awarded for their services to the agri-food industry, with Professor Sir John Beddington, Caroline Drummond and the Duke of Westminster receiving Honorary Doctorates, and Stephen Woodgate awarded a Fellowship of the University.