Graduation Success Stories 2012

To celebrate graduation week at Âé¶čAV, here are some inspirational student success stories:

Graduation Videos 2012

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Alice Barbour-Hill - Italian & English Language

A well-travelled local student will graduate from Âé¶čAV with a BA Italian and English Language degree this week.

Alice Barbour-Hill, 30, from Penlon, Bangor, a former Ysgol Tryfan pupil left school after GCSEs to go and train with Olympic Dressage Rider, David Pincus in Herefordshire. Two years later.....

Emma Hanks - Childhood Studies

A Âé¶čAV student who overcame illness during her studies will be graduating with a BA in Childhood Studies this week.

Emma Louise Hanks, 21, from Penygroes, Gwynedd is looking forward to graduation after completing her studies despite several setbacks and obstacles over the last three years.

Christopher Waldron - Computer Science

With the hope of one day, running his own computer game design studio, a Âé¶čAV graduate is looking forward to starting his new job in the computer industry.

Christopher Antony Waldron, 21, from Rubery, Birmingham graduates with a BSc Computer Science degree from Âé¶čAV this week.

Francesca McGrath - BSc Environmental Conservation

A Âé¶čAV student, who is graduating with a first class degree this week, has been awarded an Academic Achievement Award after receiving an outstanding first for her dissertation.

Francesca McGrath, 20, from Castle Acre, Norfolk, is graduating with a first class BSc Environmental Conservation.

Gaia Brezzo - Psychology

An international student from Âé¶čAV who is graduating this week enjoyed his time in Bangor so much that he will return in September to study a postgraduate degree.

Gaia Brezzo, 20, from Milan, Italy will be graduating this week from Âé¶čAV with a BSc Psychology degree. Gaia accepted a scholarship to study at Bangor as the School of Psychology is one of the highest rated schools in the world.

Hannah Phair - Psychology

A Âé¶čAV student who gave up her time to volunteer in the community is graduating this week with a first class honours degree.

Hannah Phair, 21, from Market Drayton, Staffordshire, will graduate with a BSc Psychology degree.

Karina Anne Marsden - Environmental Science

Karina Anne Marsden, 22, from Gerlan, Bethesda, a former Ysgol Friars pupil, said: “It feels nice for all the hard work to have paid off and knowing that I really worked as hard as I could and do not have any regrets that I could have tried harder."

Laura-Jean Stokes - Psychology

A Psychology student is graduating this year following the “best three years of her life” at Âé¶čAV.

Laura-Jean Stokes, 21, from Bournemouth, Dorset, a former Talbot Heath School pupil, said: “I have mixed feelings about graduating. On one hand I’m really excited for the future but I’m also quite sad as it means the end of the best three years of my life! Even though I am very excited about coming back in September to do a Masters course, I will miss lots of my friends who aren’t staying in Bangor."

Rachael Jones - Computer Science

After three years of hard work, a former legal secretary from Rhuddlan, Denbighshire has landed her dream job.

Rachael Jones, 26, graduates this week with a BSc Computer Science degree from Âé¶čAV. The former Eirias High School pupil made a spur of the moment decision to sign up to university.

Shanti Shanker - Psychology

A Âé¶čAV postgraduate international student who had the opportunity to perform a classical Indian dance at a Pontio event will be graduating with a MSc from the School of Psychology this week.

Shanti Shanker, 32, from Andheri (W), Mumbai, India, is graduating from the School of Psychology with a M.Sc. in Foundations of Clinical Neuropsychology.

Simonetta Mitchell - Psychology

Simonetta Mitchell, 21, from Crewe in Cheshire,  not only graduated with a degree in Psychology but has also been awarded the Bangor Employability Award, which highlights all her volunteering work over the last few years.

Nicola Price - Information and Communications Technology

A young mum from Old Colwyn is graduating from Âé¶čAV this week after three years of hard work.

Nicola Jayne Price, 23, a former Llandrillo College student, is graduating with a BA in Information and Communications Technology. She has also been awarded the Jane Rudall Award worth ÂŁ150.

Rebecca Nicholas - Zoology

A postgraduate Âé¶čAV student who travelled abroad to conduct her research is looking forward to a future in academia after she won a memorial prize worth ÂŁ150.

Rebecca Nicholas, 22, from Tiverton in Devon and is graduating with a Masters of Zoology with Herpetology this week and will also be collecting the Ian Herbert Memorial Award, awarded to the best masters student in Applied Biology.

Kimberley Prior - Zoology

Kimberley Prior, 21, from Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, graduates this week with a BSc Zoology degree from Âé¶čAV. The former William De Ferrers School pupil has also received the Sir Alfred Lewis prize of ÂŁ150 for the best Biological Sciences final year.:

Richard Stopforth - Biomedical Science

Richard James Stopforth, 21 from Burnley, Lancashire graduates from Âé¶čAV this week with a BSc Biomedical Science degree. The former St. Wilfrid’s C of E High School in Blackburn was awarded an entrance scholarship on commencement of his studies and also received the Professor W Charles Evans Memorial Prize of ÂŁ200 for the best student in Biomedical Science in the final year.

Eli Gourdie - Computer Science

Eli Gourdie, 29, from Clynnog Fawr, Caernarfon will be graduating this week with a BSc in Computer Science. Having lived in north Wales all of his life, he decided to study at Âé¶čAV as it enabled him to live at home to help his mother whilst continuing with his education.

Gareth Hugh Evans-Jones - Welsh and Religious Studies

Gareth Hugh Evans-Jones, 21, graduates from Âé¶čAV with a BA in Welsh and Religious Studies this week. Gareth from Marian Glas, Anglesey, won the Drama Medal at the Inter-Collegiate Eisteddfod this year as well as Sir John Morris Jones Award.

Karen, Geraint and Rebecca Jones

A culmination of hard work, dedication and sacrifice has finally ended well for a Llanrug family with mother, father and daughter each graduating from Âé¶čAV this week.

Rhodri Llewelyn - Electronic Engineering

A mature student from Âé¶čAV will be graduating this week after venturing back into the world of education after spending over ten years working all over Europe. Rhodri Llewelyn, 36, from Bangor, will be graduating with a BEng in Electronic Engineering this week, even though he left school at 16 years old.

Susan Clarkson - Psychology

A mother of five from Prestatyn, whose academic path was on hold for nearly 20 years, has finally graduated with a first.

Lindsey Swift - French

A prize winning student, who was the first of her family to ever attend University, will be graduating from Âé¶čAV with a degree in French this week.

Kathryn Lee - Biomedical Science

A prize winning local student will be graduating from Âé¶čAV this year after a “fantastic four years in Bangor.” Kathryn Lee, 22, from Rhyl, will be graduating this week with a degree in Biomedical Science. She has also been awarded the Jones-Morris prize, worth ÂŁ100, for the best final year project relevant to Health Care.

Samuel Edward Jones - Welsh

A student from Anglesey will be graduating this week with a first clas degree and a ÂŁ100 prize.Samuel Edward Jones, 21, from Bryn Teg, will be graduating with a frist clas Welsh degree this week.

Ember Coates - Zoology & Conservation

A prize winning Âé¶čAV student is looking forward to the next phase of her life after she graduates this week. Ember Helen Alana Coates, 21, from Crossgar, Northern Ireland, is graduating this week with a degree in Zoology and Conservation. She was also awarded the Pen y Ffridd Prize, worth ÂŁ150.

Niall Pettitt - Environmental Conservation

A prize winning Âé¶čAV student was will be graduating this week with a first class degree in Environmental Conservation. Niall Pettitt, 21, from Mildenhall, Bury, St Edmunds, is graduating this week with a BSc in Enviornmental Conservation. He was also awarded the William Griffith prize, worth ÂŁ100.

Billy Lovelock - Education

A Âé¶čAV graduate goes back to school this  September to fulfil his childhood ambition of being a teacher.

Billy James Lovelock, 21, from Tiptree, Colchester graduates from Âé¶čAV this week with a BSc Design & Technology degree leading to Qualified Teacher Status.

Sandra Williams - Psychology

A tenacious mother of six, celebrates the conclusion of a chapter of her learning journey at Âé¶čAV this week.

Sandra Williams, 42, from Llangefni, will receive a BSc Psychology degree after three years of hard work and sheer determination.

Publication date: 16 July 2012