It was a day filled with inspiration and celebration as Dumfries and Galloway College honoured its students and staff on Graduation Day 2025.
The event consisted of two ceremonies at Crichton Memorial Church on Friday, October 31, where students graduating from the academic year of 2024-25 received their HNC, HND or SVQ awards in the curriculum areas of Early Education and Childcare, Digital Health and Social Care, Sport and Fitness, Beauty, Business, Computing, Creative Industries, Engineering and Sustainable Construction.
Caroline Stuart, Chair of the Board of Management, opened proceedings before Douglas Dickson delivered his inaugural Graduation Day address after being appointed DGC Principal and CEO earlier this year.
In his welcome speech to the audience, Mr Dickson said: “It gives me great pleasure to congratulate you all on reaching this important milestone in your journey with Dumfries and Galloway College.
“Graduation is a special occasion ─ a time to celebrate your achievements, reflect on the challenges you have overcome and look forward with confidence to the opportunities that lie ahead.
“As you step into the next stage of your life, whether continuing your studies, advancing your career or embarking on new paths, know that you carry with you the skills, knowledge and experiences that will help you thrive.”
Graduates and guests were also inspired to hear from Guest Speaker Lori Carnochan. The Dumfries-born broadcast journalist, who spent more than a decade working for ITV, BBC and STV as a news presenter and reporter, now runs her own company, Carno Media Ltd, which showcases individuals and businesses from across the South of Scotland by sharing their stories on TV, radio and online.
After the ceremonies, staff, students and their families headed to Easterbrook Hall for photographs and a meal to celebrate their big day.
Awards
- SQA Award ─ Cerys Boyd
- Lion’s Club Bowl ─ Suzanne Thorpe
- Crichton Foundation Prize ─ Rebeccah Manley
- Business Studies Student of the Year ─ Hannah Laughton
- Computing Student of the Year (Sponsored by UWS) ─ Phoebe Stanley
- Creative Industries Student of the Year ─ Glenn McGowan
- Beauty Therapy Student of the Year (Sponsored by the Cairndale Hotel) ─ Millie Anderson
- Early Learning and Childcare Student of the Year ─ Amelia Kurowska
- Engineering Student of the Year (Sponsored by Homer Burgess) ─ Emma Cooper
- Digital Health and Social Care Student of the Year ─ Chenai Kozakiewicz
- Sport and Fitness Student of the Year ─ Joe Arnold
The Principal’s Commendations this year (staff awards) went to Connor McGeorge and Alison Jardine, while Will Dowson and David Denholm were named College Ambassadors.
Afterwards, Mr Dickson remarked: “On behalf of everyone at the college, I want to thank the students, families, friends and supporters who made this occasion so memorable.
“It was inspiring to help celebrate the many individual accomplishments and the collective spirit of the Class of 2025. Congratulations once again.”