Graduation | In Photos

Ceremony 1

It all began at 10 on Monday morning.

The Hall

The University Vice-Chancellor Paul O’Prey opened proceedings.

Vice-Chancellor Paul O'Prey giving the opening address

Olivier Award winning actor (for his role as Lola in Kinky Boots 👠) and former Roehampton Drama student, Matt Henry, was awarded with the Chancellor’s Award for Outstanding Alumni Achievement.

Matt Henry, Oliver Award-winner and Roehampton alumnus, receiving the Vice-Chancellor's Award

Students from the departments of Drama, Theatre and Performance, Humanities and Life Sciences then began to walk the long red carpet for the conferment of their degrees.

A student literally dancing for joy as he goes to accept his degree

Everyone looked so happy.

Roehampton senior staff applaud as a graduate leaves the stage

Like, really really happy.

A conspicuously happy student accepts her degree

Others waved like royalty…

A student demonstrates the 'Royal Wave', as popularised by Queen Elizabeth II

At the end of the ceremony, Chuchu Nwagu gave his inaugural graduation address as President of the Roehampton Students’ Union.

Chuchu Nwagu gives his inaugural address as RSU President

“Look around, look around, at how lucky we are to be alive right now”.

Chuchu Nwagu gives his inaugural speech as Matt Henry looks on

The informal celebrations then began…

Graduates prepare to throw their hats

Guests welcomed back their loved ones, who were now officially Roehampton graduates.

A proud Roehampton graduate poses with her family

Ceremony 2

Rt. Hon the Baroness Scotland QC was awarded an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws for her exceptional career and her commitment to social justice, equality and education.

Rt. Hon the Baroness Scotland QC receives an Honorary Degree

Then The Queen arrived 👑👑👑

Literary, though not literal, royalty, Jacqueline Wilson, smiling at a graduate

Disclaimer: Not the ACTUAL Queen, but our amazing Chancellor, Professor Dame Jacqueline Wilson 😍

Chancellor Jacqueline Wilson shakes hands with a graduate

Students of Dance, English and Creative Writing and Social Sciences celebrated becoming graduates together.

Roehampton graduates pose with champagne glasses

Some tried to find the exact angle for the best photo.

Three graduates take a photo together

Others went too far in search of that angle.

Three graduates pose for a photo together

Ceremony 3

Yasmin Alibhai-Brown, journalist, author and academic, was awarded an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters.

Yasmin Alibhai-Brown, receiving her honorary doctorate

Yasmin has written for the Guardian, Observer, Sunday Times and New York Times, on topics including immigration, diversity and multiculturalism.

Yasmin Alibhai-Brown, smiles as she receiving her honorary doctorate

Then came the turn of Psychology, and Media, Culture and Language students to cross the stage.

Jacqueline Wilson shakes hands with a student

Some graduates were photobombed by a mysterious black cat.

It's not a real cat, though

Elsewhere, graduates and guests basked in the 30 degree heat as they posed for post-graduation photos.

A graduate poses with her loved ones

Outfits and mortarboard throws were sychronised.

Two graduates engage in the ancient custom of Synchronised Hat Throwing, while wearing the traditional matching garb

Ceremony 4

On day two, Roehampton Pro-Chancellor and Dean of Westminster Abbey, The Very Reverend Dr John Hall, was awarded Fellow of the University. The award was conferred by our Chair of Council, Sir David Bell, and was in recognition for the enormous contribution that Dr Hall has made to both Whitelands College and Roehampton, including most recently as Chair of the University’s Development Board, which oversaw fundraising for the University’s award-winning Library.

Sir David Bell and Dr John Hall shake hands onstage

It was then the turn of the School of Education to proudly cross the stage.

A student accepts her degree

The sun continued to shine on London as students and guests congregated before and after their ceremonies.

The seating area outside the Royal Festival Hall

Even the bins at the Southbank Centre were trying to get involved in the celebrations.

Several students throw their mortarboards, as a bin watches, enviously, the regret that it didn't enrol at the University of Roehampton palpable.

The mortarboard throws were getting higher and higher as the ceremonies passed.

Several students attempt the world record for highest mortarboard throw

Ceremony 5

Roehampton Business School and QA students awaited their turn to graduate.

Students in the Royal Festival Hall await their turn

Some of the robes got very fancy.

Two people talk about something

Very very fancy indeed.

Doctoral graduates, glamming it up, as usual

Our Business School students understood the importance of branding.

A graudate shows of a Roehampton tie pin

And won several prestigious awards for their hard work.

Graduates with certificates

Ceremony 6

Roehampton Online (Laureate), Schiller, EUBS and Aventis students then graduated.

An unhappy graduate poses for Instagram

We loved seeing all the post-graduation smiles after every ceremony.

Smiling graduates

And future graduates being a part of the day.

A proud graduate poses with her family

Ceremony 6 was the last of #RoeGraduation.

We’d like to say thank you to every academic that processed…

Senior Roehampton staff show off their hats, robes

To every partner that selflessly spent the day behind the lens…

A man photographs a graduate

To every proud parent that conveniently didn’t see the ‘no recording of this ceremony’ sign…

A man ignores the signs telling him not to record, little knowing that we have caught him on film

To every guest that attended the day with their loved ones no matter how tiring it was in the heat…

A proud graduate with his family, most of whom are awake

To every friend that was able to celebrate graduation side-by-side…

A group of graduates

And to every floral tie worn.

A rare two-person matching tie/dress/sunglasses combo

You all made the Class of 2018 Summer Graduation unforgettable. And to that we say cheers.

Two graduates clink glasses

 

All images courtesy of the incredibly talented Chris Perry, also a Roehampton alumnus, and available for hire via his website, where you can also see more photos of the graduation.

The University of Roehampton changes lives by helping our students to develop the confidence, knowledge and values they need for a successful and fulfilling life. We produce world-class research that helps us understand the world and change it for the better.

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