Ayrshire College: Graduates celebrate at Ayr Racecourse

More than 300 students who completed their college course in May 2023 packed out two memorable ceremonies in front of friends and family.

Each graduate was presented with a certificate on stage to commemorate their college achievements.

Student of the Year certificates were also awarded to 26 students, from across all areas of the curriculum, while seven prizes were also awarded for Making a Difference in the Community and six for Outstanding Achievement.

On the day, the Overall Student of the Year for 2023 was announced as HNC (Next Generation) Social Services graduate Kayleigh Rodie. The award was sponsored by SQA.

Maureen Wallace, SQA regional manager for Ayrshire, attended the ceremony.

She said: “A huge congratulations to Kayleigh for receiving the overall Student of the Year award. Her hard work and dedication deserve to be recognised, and I wish her all the best for her future.”

The 2023 Student of the Year prize winners were:

• Business, Administration, Computing and Travel and Tourism at the Ayr Campus: Cameron Gibson (HNC Administration and Information Technology)
• Business, Administration, Computing and Travel and Tourism at the Kilmarnock Campus: Alannah Beveridge (HND Accounting)
• Business, Administration, Computing and Travel and Tourism at the Kilwinning Campus: Charlene Finlayson (HND Administration and Information Technology)
• Care at the Ayr Campus: Kayleigh Rodie (HNC (Next Generation) Social Services)
• Care at the Kilmarnock Campus: Kim Smith (HNC Healthcare Practice)
• Care at the Kilwinning Campus: Elizabeth Anne Hamilton (HNC Healthcare Practice)
• Construction Technology and Trades: Scott McLaughlin (HNC Construction Management)
• Creative: Margaret Cowan (HND Art and Design)
• Early Years at the Ayr Campus: Eilidh McNally (HNC Childhood Practice)
• Early Years at the Kilmarnock Campus: Tracy Bickerton (HNC Childhood Practice)
• Early Years at the Kilwinning Campus: Aimee Loach (HNC Childhood Practice)
• Engineering at the Kilmarnock Campus: Zandile Lynch (HNC Engineering Practice (Fabrication))
• Science at Kilmarnock: Callum McCrone (HNC Applied Sciences)
• Engineering and Science at the Ayr Campus: Thomas Stewart (HNC Aircraft Engineering)
• Engineering and Science at the Kilwinning Campus: Lai Shun Chan (HND Applied Biological Sciences)

• Hairdressing, Beauty, Complementary Therapies and Make-up at the Kilmarnock Campus: Shannen McKenzie (HND Beauty Therapy)
• Hairdressing, Beauty, Complementary Therapies and Make-up at the Kilwinning Campus: Eilidh Cameron (HND Make-up Artistry TV, Film and Theatre)
• Hospitality: Rebeca Morgan (HNC Events)
• Music and Sound Production: Jack Shimmons (HND Sound Production)
• Performing Arts: Ryan McGeachin (HND Acting and Performance)
• Social Sciences at the Ayr Campus: Alexander Nutt (HNC Social Sciences)
• Social Sciences at the Kilmarnock Campus: Ewa Zebala (HND Social Sciences)
• Social Sciences at the Kilwinning Campus: Lee Boyle (HNC Social Sciences)
• Sport and Fitness at the Ayr Campus: Nakita Buckley (HNC Coaching and Developing Sport)
• Sport and Fitness at the Kilmarnock Campus: Lisa Mason (HND Fitness, Health and Exercise)
• Sport and Fitness at the Kilwinning Campus: Michael Glynn (HND Applied Sport Science)
• Other prizewinners from the Class of 2023 were:
• Making a Difference in the Community at the Ayr Campus: Logan Gilmour (HNC Counselling)
• Making a Difference in the Community at the Ayr Campus: Katie Roy (HNC Travel and Tourism)
• Making a Difference in the Community at the Ayr Campus: Kirstin Williams (HNC Sports Coaching and Development)
• Making a Difference in the Community at the Kilmarnock Campus: Jacqulene Cross (HND Social Sciences)
• Making a Difference in the Community at the Kilmarnock Campus: HND Fitness, Health and Exercise
• Making a Difference in the Community at the Kilwinning Campus: Ryan McLauchlan-Ross (HNC Applied Sciences)
• Making a Difference in the Community at the Kilwinning Campus: Beth Williams (HNC Childhood Practice)
• Outstanding Achievement at the Ayr Campus: Erin Colquhoun (HNC Childhood Practice)
• Outstanding Achievement at the Ayr Campus: Nicole Cullen (HNC Music)
• Outstanding Achievement at the Ayr Campus: Luke Noonan-Milligan (HNC Social Sciences)
• Outstanding Achievement at the Ayr Campus: Steven Paterson (HNC Architectural Technology)
• Outstanding Achievement at the Kilmarnock Campus: Lynsey Miller (HNC Beauty Therapy)
• Outstanding Achievement at the Kilwinning Campus: Sandy McFadyean (HNC Social Sciences)

Angela Cox, principal and chief executive at Ayrshire College, said at the graduation: “I hope it is with great pride that you graduate from Ayrshire College today and as an alumni continue to be an ambassador for us no matter where you end up in the world. Remember this is where it all began.

“As a college we are proud that we create opportunities to develop our students as whole people and in turn raise aspiration and enable success.

"We widen access to educational opportunities, and as a result improve income equality and inclusive growth across Ayrshire and beyond.

“Be the future generation who change our world for the better and make us proud.”

Fiona McQueen, chair of the board of management at Ayrshire College, said: “Ceremonies such as today are important – time set aside to celebrate success. 

“For some of you – this was always part of your plan; for others perhaps a change of plan; and for some of you here today you are pinching yourself because what you have achieved here is beyond your wildest dreams.

“Whatever group you are in, congratulations and well done.

"Because not only have you challenged and proved yourself, the knowledge and skills you have learned will be of great benefit to not only yourselves, but your communities.”

The 2023 Ayrshire College graduation was sponsored by Ashleigh (Scotland) Ltd, Ayrshire Sportsability, Bellrock, Developing the Young Workforce Ayrshire, East Ayrshire Council, Glasgow Prestwick Airport, Reids Food Service Ltd, Ricoh, SimpsInns, Scottish Wider Access Programme (SWAP), South Ayrshire Council, SQA and Thomson Hunter Associates.

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