Graduation review: Wednesday 20 November 2019

A cold but bright November day saw the first of the university's Autumn Graduation ceremonies.

Graduands from the School of Education and Liverpool School of Art and Design celebrated their achievements at the first of five ceremonies taking place this week, with their friends and family members packing out Liverpool Cathedral.

Sophia Charuhas received her MA in Art in Science from the university's Liverpool School of Art and Design. Sophia, who is from Washington DC, USA, explained why the innovative programme appealed to her:

"Its truly interdisciplinary nature stood out to me. For years I had been attempting to combine art and science on my own and this course allowed me to do so in more and different ways than ever before. Getting to know Liverpool and the other students here - be it through course field trips or the city social events organised by the university's Student Opportunities Team - has been particularly enjoyable. I now hope to start a career in science communications"

MA Fine Art graduate, Matthew Merrick, said he came to LJMU based on the excellent reputation of the university. He commented:

“I chose to do my MA in Fine Art at LJMU as I wanted to study somewhere I’d feel a real challenge. I already knew the tutors and their practices and expertise, and that was a real selling point to me. I have been teaching art and design for years and I feel like my time at LJMU has enhanced my teaching but importantly it has also had a very positive impact on my practice; I now think about my practice in a very different way to how I did when I started.”

Graduating with her PGCE Special Education Needs Coordination was Clare Bakstad, who explained how her qualification has helped her professionally:

“I loved going back to university as a mature student; it was a very different experience compared to my first degree and I was very sure what I wanted to do and was very focused. Gaining this qualification has allowed me to take the next step in my career and I also really enjoyed it.”

There were double celebrations for PGCE Primary graduate Mark Newton, whose baby girl, Sophia, was born three weeks ago. He said:

“It’s lovely that she is here with us today. My time at LJMU has been superb and my tutor has been unbelievably supportive. It is a demanding course but I’ve recommended it to my friends because my tutor was so good. I’m now teaching Year 4 in a primary school in Anfield and am really enjoying it.”

(Pictured above: Sophia, Matthew, Clare and Mark)

Meanwhile, a number of LJMU staff received awards at today's ceremony. Wendy Johnston (below left) celebrated with an MA in Advanced Educational Practice and Loliya A Akobo (below right) received her Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice at Liverpool Cathedral today.