Graduation Stories
Graduation Stories - Summer 2024
Stories from our Summer 2024 graduates.
![Manuela and Iwan Wirth at P&J Live, Aberdeen Manuela and Iwan Wirth at P&J Live, Aberdeen](/images/stories/flexicontent/mediaman/m_Iwan-Manuela-Wirth-2024.jpg)
Iwan and Manuela Wirth, visionary art gallery founders who transformed Braemar’s Fife Arms Hotel into an iconic five-star boutique hotel, have been awarded Honorary Degrees from Robert Gordon University (RGU).
![Tracy Nicholls with her Honorary Degree Tracy Nicholls with her Honorary Degree](/images/stories/flexicontent/mediaman/m_Tracy-Nicholls-2024.jpg)
Tracy Nicholls, Chief Executive of The College of Paramedics at the forefront of the development of the profession, has been awarded an Honorary Degree from Robert Gordon University (RGU).
![Hannah Miley collects her Honorary Degree from RGU Hannah Miley collects her Honorary Degree from RGU](/images/stories/flexicontent/mediaman/m_Hannah-Miley-2024.jpg)
North East Olympian and Robert Gordon University (RGU) alumnus Hannah Miley has been recognised with an Honorary Degree.
![Dave Cormack at RGU's Summer Graduation 2024 Dave Cormack at RGU's Summer Graduation 2024](/images/stories/flexicontent/mediaman/m_Dave-Cormack-2024.jpg)
Aberdeen Football Club Chairman Dave Cormack has been awarded an Honorary Degree from Robert Gordon University (RGU) during the University's final graduation ceremony of the summer.
![Deborah O’Neil OBE at Graduation 2024 Deborah O’Neil OBE at Graduation 2024](/images/stories/flexicontent/mediaman/m_Deborah-ONeil-2024.jpg)
Deborah O’Neil OBE, a leader in the field of scientific research and drug development, has been awarded an Honorary Degree from Robert Gordon University (RGU) during the University’s graduation ceremony this week.
![Raymond Besant at RGU Summer Graduation 2024 Raymond Besant at RGU Summer Graduation 2024](/images/stories/flexicontent/mediaman/m_Raymond-Besant-2024.jpg)
Renowned Orcadian wildlife cameraman and photographer Raymond Besant has been recognised with an Honorary Degree at the University where he once studied.
![Adela Salman Adela Salman](/images/stories/flexicontent/mediaman/m_Adela-Salman-2024-grads.jpg)
An international student with a great value in education, Adela Salman found her time at RGU has helped her prepare for the “business world” and her future career in human resources.
![Chioma Onyefuosona at Summer Graduation Chioma Onyefuosona at Summer Graduation](/images/stories/flexicontent/mediaman/m_Chioma_O_Summer2024.jpg)
An international student with a desire for solving challenges within her field, MSc Digital Marketing graduate Chioma Onyefuosaonu knew that her degree would give her the skills and experience to thrive in industry.
![Kavek Najad graduates at P&J Kavek Najad graduates at P&J](/images/stories/flexicontent/mediaman/m_Kevahimage2024.jpg)
Kaveh Nejad has moved straight into the world of work with the firm he was on placement with after completing his BSc (Hons) Computer Science course.
![Sam Walker at P&J Live Sam Walker at P&J Live](/images/stories/flexicontent/mediaman/m_SAMWALKERGRADS2024.jpg)
With a drive to learn and a childhood dream to become a scientist, Sam Walker’s BSc Forensic and Analytical Sciences degree has helped make that dream a reality.
![Christian Lakin Dick at P&J Live Christian Lakin Dick at P&J Live](/images/stories/flexicontent/mediaman/m_CLBIMAGE2024.jpg)
An Aberdonian postgraduate who returned to university to change his career path has successfully graduated from RGU with a master’s degree in Construction Project Management.
![Lisa Ross at Summer Graduation 2024 Lisa Ross at Summer Graduation 2024](/images/stories/flexicontent/mediaman/m_Lisa_Ross_Summer2024.jpg)
A single mum of three, who had dreamt of studying at Gray’s School of Art since first visiting as a teenager, now graduating with First Class Honours specialising in Contemporary Art Practice.
![Ellie Martin Ellie Martin](/images/stories/flexicontent/mediaman/m_Ellie-Martin-2024-grads.jpg)
An Aberdonian from Bucksburn Academy made the last-minute decision to stay in the Granite City after sixth year and has not looked back since, progressing through clearing to put her passion for justice to good use through a first-class LLB Law degree.
![Eilidh Mouat at Graduation 2024 Eilidh Mouat at Graduation 2024](/images/stories/flexicontent/mediaman/m_Eilidh_Mouat_Summer2024.jpg)
A 21-year-old nursing graduate from Shetland who was awarded first class honours and RGU’s first ever dissertation prize for nursing, has started her first job in the Cardiology Ward at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.
![Kerry Beagrie at Summer Graduation 2024 Kerry Beagrie at Summer Graduation 2024](/images/stories/flexicontent/mediaman/m_Kerry_Beagrie_Summer2024.jpg)
33-year-old Kerry Beagrie, from Fraserburgh, is the first in her family to go to university having initially undertaken an HNC in Early Education and Childcare before working as a nursery teacher following leaving school.
![Iona Howarth Iona Howarth](/images/stories/flexicontent/mediaman/m_Iona-Howarth-2024-grads.jpg)
After personal struggles and heartbreaking family loss, Iona Howarth battled throughout her time at RGU to graduate with a first-class honours degree having obtained seven A’s in her final year.
![Kate Percival at Graduation 2024 Kate Percival at Graduation 2024](/images/stories/flexicontent/mediaman/m_Kate_Percival_Summer2024.jpg)
Throughout her studies, mature student Kate, has overcome health challenges to graduate with a BA in Fine Art. She attributes much of her success to Gray’s fantastic community and says she can’t recommend it highly enough.
![Emmy Collins graduating Emmy Collins graduating](/images/stories/flexicontent/mediaman/m_Emmy_Collins_Summer2024.jpg)
Once Emmy Collins realised in secondary school that a career in the fashion industry is what she wanted to pursue, she knew that university was the next best step to help broaden her knowledge and understanding of her passion - and it’s at RGU where she did just that.
![Alexandra Kane at P&J Live, Aberdeen. Alexandra Kane at P&J Live, Aberdeen.](/images/stories/flexicontent/mediaman/m_Alexandra_Kane_Summer2024.jpg)
An Aberdonian from Mastrick who has battled several health problems to graduate in Fine Art specialising in Painting. Alexandra says her journey to Gray’s as taken the ‘scenic route’, which has shaped her into the artist she is today.
![Rachel Gray at Graduation 2024 Rachel Gray at Graduation 2024](/images/stories/flexicontent/mediaman/m_Rachel_Gray_Graduate.jpg)
A Master of Architecture graduate from Mintlaw awarded the 2024 Highlands & Islands Architectural Association Student Award and commendation from the Aberdeen Society of Architects Silver Medal, now working for a Stonehaven based practice.
![Allegra Santoro graduating at P&J Live Allegra Santoro graduating at P&J Live](/images/stories/flexicontent/mediaman/m_AllegraSantoroimage2024.jpg)
When Allegra Santoro walks across the stage at P&J Live it marks the successful completion of a BSc (Hons) Computer Science with first class honours.
![Darren Smith at P&J Live Darren Smith at P&J Live](/images/stories/flexicontent/mediaman/m_Darren_Smith_Graduate_Summer_2024.jpg)
A young engineer who wanted to continue his education is graduating with distinction having studied part-time at RGU which allowed him to balance his BEng (Hons) Mechanical and Offshore Engineering course with work commitments.
![Obiajulu Umeji graduates at P&J Live Obiajulu Umeji graduates at P&J Live](/images/stories/flexicontent/mediaman/m_obiimage2024.jpg)
A Nigerian masters graduate awarded the Aberdeen Association of Architects Silver Medal 2024, for designing an innovative building made from recycled oil rigs that celebrates Aberdeen’s industrial heritage and relationship with the North Sea.
![Alix Russo poses at P&J Live Alix Russo poses at P&J Live](/images/stories/flexicontent/mediaman/m_Alix-Russo-2024-grads.jpg)
Alix Russo is on the cusp of her dream job as a police officer after successfully completing the BA (Hons) Applied Social Sciences.
![Zoe Frieslick at Graduation 2024 Zoe Frieslick at Graduation 2024](/images/stories/flexicontent/mediaman/m_ZOEGRADS2024.jpg)
Zoe Frieslick feels she has the world at her feet after becoming the first person in her family to attend university.
![Marshall Kennedy graduates at P&J Live Marshall Kennedy graduates at P&J Live](/images/stories/flexicontent/mediaman/m_marshallkennedyimage2024.jpg)
A 21-year-old from Aberdeen with a passion for all things animation has graduates from Robert Gordon University with first class honours in Digital Media.
![Ali Barlas at Summer Graduation 2024 Ali Barlas at Summer Graduation 2024](/images/stories/flexicontent/mediaman/m_ALIBARLASGRADS2024.jpg)
A Canadian graduate will be leaving RGU with an important qualification to boost his career but also a litany of happy memories.
![Laura Kromrey at Graduation Laura Kromrey at Graduation](/images/stories/flexicontent/mediaman/m_LAURAGRADS2024.jpg)
When Laura Kromrey walked across the stage at P&J Live to graduate with a Doctorate of Physiotherapy (DPT), it marked the successful end of a long journey.
![Stephanie Westlake-Tritton Stephanie Westlake-Tritton](/images/stories/flexicontent/mediaman/m_StephanieGRADS2024.jpg)
Stephanie Westlake-Tritton completed her studies at RGU while balancing being a mother of two, working and the pandemic as she looks to begin her career as an occupational therapist.
![Alex McKay Alex McKay](/images/stories/flexicontent/mediaman/m_Alex-McKay-2024grad.jpg)
A postgraduate student from England has graduated from Robert Gordon University having studied long-distance whilst living and working in the United Arab Emirates.