Award ceremonies highlight BU achievements

Lady Joan Appleyard with Dr Michael Riordan

The School of Health & Social Care took centre stage as Bournemouth University opens its annual Award Ceremonies for 2010.

BU’s annual Award Ceremonies are underway at the Bournemouth International Centre.

Tuesday’s ceremonies featured graduands from the School of Health & Social Care, Academic Services and the Graduate School.

University Pro-Chancellor, Lady Joan Appleyard, opened the ceremonies by saying that everyone gathered was there to “celebrate our graduates’ achievements – and it’s a delight to do so.

“Graduating proves you have great determination and commitment as well as having done a great deal of hard work,” she told the audience.

Honorary Doctorate

The University’s former Director of Human Resources, Michael Riordan, was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Arts for his contribution to BU’s success during two eventful and successful decades.

Dr Riordan previously held senior executive posts in the NHS and was a key member of the University’s Executive Team, particularly during the past five years when the University’s national and international profile has strengthened considerably.

University Orator, Alan Hunt, praised Dr Riordan’s “determination, patience & skill” describing him further as a “dependable colleague, an astute manager of change and a wise advisor.”
In response, Dr Riordan dedicated the award to all of the University’s support staff and his colleagues in the University’s Human Resources team who he described as being amongst the best in the University higher education sector. He also encouraged the graduates to “stick with it” in their search for a career position.

“I’ve always said that the benefits of higher education usually take about five years to show through,” he said. “In the meantime, I encourage you to get a good job in a good organisation and to learn and grow from the experience.”

Prizes

Congratulations to those awarded prizes during the ceremonies in celebration of their outstanding student achievements. These include:

The DorsetCounty Council PQSW Prize – Sally Ann Lee, BA (Hons) Vulnerable Adults / Community Care Practice
The Dorset County Council Prize – Marina Ann Lowrie, BA (Hons) Social Work
The Eleanor Bond Prize – Louise Nichola Oliver, MA Practice Development
The Rodger White Prize – Ahmed Mohammed Jama, BA (Hons) Social Work
Bertie Bailey Award (Salisbury Trust) – Thomas Martin Walvin, BSc (Hons) Nursing (Adult Branch)
The Dorset Healthcare NHS Trust Prize – Graham Dennison, Advanced Diploma Nursing (Mental Health)
The Poole Hospital Post-Registration and Clinical Excellence Award – Susan Woodward, BSc (Hons) Nurse Practitioner
The Poole Hospital Pre-Registration and Clinical Excellence Award – Hannah Violet Klepacs, BSc (Hons) Nursing (Adult Branch)
The Royal Bournemouth & Christchurch Hospital Trust Prize – Sara Lopez, BSc (Hons) Nursing (Adult Branch)
The Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust Prize – Naomi Jane Simpson, BSc (Hons) Midwifery

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Award ceremonies highlight BU achievements