Friends Kate Riley and Ann Lee are delighted to be sharing a unique celebration today as the University of Cumbria’s summer 2019 graduations begin.
Carlisle Cathedral is hosting seven graduation ceremonies over the next three days to recognise the academic achievements and endeavours of almost 1,000 University of Cumbria graduands.
The two women are not only among the university’s BSc (Hons) Diagnostic Radiography Class of 2019, both achieving first-class honours, they have also each won two special awards.
Chosen by lecturers, Kate, 25, from Carlisle, is the recipient of the Dr Harold Tulloh Prize for Technique in Radiology as well as the Colin Gibson Prize for Radiographic Anatomy.
Meanwhile Ann, a married mother-of-three from Prudhoe in Northumberland, is this year’s recipient of the Challen Prize for Ethics in Radiology and the Olywn Thomson Prize for Endeavour in Radiology.
With their degree approved by the Society and College of Radiographers and accredited by the Health Care Professions Council, Ann and Kate are now working in northern hospitals – Ann at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle and Kate at the Cumberland Infirmary, Carlisle.
Ann said: “I’ve loved the fact that we’ve had a small cohort at Cumbria compared to much larger universities. It meant that we were all really well known by the academics and as such I felt, as a student, much more supported.”
Kate added: “I learned a lot about the team and the university when I went to my open day during clearing. From there I knew it would be the right choice for me.
“The team has been very supportive throughout and I found that you could never ask too many questions of the academics, whether they were related to your course or not. They would always be asking how we were and would sit down and talk to you when you needed some support.
“I knew I didn’t want to go away to learn and that I wanted to work after qualifying – I’ve achieved both of those things.”
Charles Sloane, professional lead for medical imaging at the university, said: ‘It really gives all the team of lecturers and clinical support staff a huge amount of job satisfaction to think the Ann and Kate and all the other graduates will now be working to support the NHS and patients who are attending for medical imaging examinations.
“This is at a time when the clinical workforce shortages have never been greater Our campuses at Carlisle and Lancaster provide vital resource for educating radiographers for the whole region.”
Radiography and an array of health-related courses are some of the academic areas seeing success at this week’s graduation ceremonies. Among the others are law, business, criminology, engineering, industrial practice, arts, outdoor studies, forestry, education, and social work.
The University of Cumbria is awarding an Honorary Fellowship to Canon Sarah Snyder on Thursday (18 July) in recognition of her lifelong and outstanding work to promote faith-based conciliation around the world.
University vice chancellor Professor Julie Mennell explained to those attending the first ceremony this morning how the institution is helping the region meeting future demands for skills.
She said: “We are working closely with employers, stakeholders and the Local Enterprise Partnerships to develop our portfolio to address the current and future needs of the County, Region and campus localities – in areas spanning business, industry and leadership, science & engineering, conservation, forestry, education, health and well-being.
“Here in Cumbria, we need a University, but our university isn’t buildings it’s people – it is our staff, our students, our supporters, our partners and very importantly you our graduates – and you are incredible, what you’ve achieved to date and what you will go onto achieve and the impact you’ll have.
“You’ve entered or will enter into practice with reach and impact which will extend to hundreds and thousands of individuals during your life and career – here in Cumbria and beyond.”
