Bournemouth University’s Faculty of Management is celebrating the success of its graduates during today’s graduation ceremony.
Almost 950 students will be walking across the stage to collect their awards as a part of the week-long celebrations.
BU also awarded two Honorary Doctorates to Sir Tim Smit, creator of the Eden Project, and Charles Hunter-Pease OBE, a prominent volunteer and board member of RNLI. Both Honorary Doctorate recipients addressed their fellow graduates with a speech to inspire them as they set out into the world of work.
Charles Hunter-Pease received a Doctor of Business Administration in recognition of his work, including his service to the RNLI, where he has served as Chair of the Board. Sir Tim Smit KBE received a Doctor of Education for his work on the Lost Gardens of Heligan and the Eden Project, while he is also a trustee of Dorset-based project Jurassica.
Sir Tim Smit said, “Of all the places I’d like to be today, I think here is amongst the best. Outside this wonderful building with these wonderful people are beautiful waves and sunshine with beautiful young people about to set out on their path to make their new career and actually they have every reason to feel excited about it and I always feel uplifted when I’m amongst young people.”
“There’s nothing more optimistic than seeing young people with a lot of optimism and hope going into the world and they are going to change it, so that’s good.”
Fellow Honorary Doctorate recipient Charles Hunter-Pease OBE said, “It feels completely surreal, it is funny to sit on the opposite side of the fence, I’ve seen both my children get their degrees but I didn’t complete mine. To end up now at the age of nearly 70 getting mine is somewhat strange.
“There are so many links between the University and the RNLI. This is a modern university, thinking forward and making sure that people are ready to get a job in society.”
Graduate Danielle Foster walked across the stage to collect her MSc Professional Development Human Resource degree having beaten adversity and spinal fusion surgery while completing her course.
Danielle completed her dissertation over FaceTime while recovering from surgery and was able to graduate alongside her cohort. Danielle said, “I was 5 foot 4 inches when I completed my undergraduate degree and I’m 5 foot 8 inches standing here today, so I’ve grown four inches! I have walked across taller and straighter this time.
“A few months back I didn’t think I was ever going to get across the stage so it was amazing to graduate alongside my cohort, I was really good.”
BU’s Graduation Ceremonies run from 8-11 November, with approximately 3,600 students set to graduate from the Faculties of Health & Social Sciences, Management, Media & Communication, and Science & Technology.
Vice-Chancellor Professor John Vinney said: “A big congratulations to all of our graduating students. I’m so proud of all of their achievements and it’s a fantastic day, both of celebration, and to reflect on their time at BU.”
