Celebrating the Class of 2022 at graduation
Graduation is a time to celebrate achievements, so even the rain couldn’t dampen our graduates’ spirits! After completing their degrees during the height of the coronavirus pandemic, this year’s graduation ceremonies celebrated the tenacity and hope of this graduating cohort. We can’t wait to get to know this cohort better as they begin their careers, continue through higher education and start to achieve their dreams.
But that’s for tomorrow. For now, we’d like to look back at this year’s graduation ceremonies! Since we celebrated the Class of 2022 across eight ceremonies, we’ll be sharing eight stories from this fantastic week of celebration.
Not even the weather could dampen their spirits
After studying through a pandemic, graduating in the rain didn’t even register for the Class of 2022. Over half of our graduation ceremonies included some wet weather. But if it’s lucky to have rain on your wedding day, it must be the same for graduation too!
Despite the rain, graduates were still delighted to pose outside and celebrate their achievements around the city. Beneath hastily bought umbrellas, our graduates were spots of colour and fun in an otherwise rainy and grey city.
Their resilience in the face of challenges is definitely something to be admired!
We welcomed 2300 graduates back to York
Every year we welcome a significant number of graduates back to celebrate their achievements. This year 2300 graduates accepted a scroll, shook hands with our Vice Chancellor, Professor Karen Bryan OBE, and joined our fantastic alumni community. We also welcomed three new honorary graduates into our university community in recognition of their values, community endeavours and continued work for the betterment of society.
Alongside the chance to cross the stage, graduates were also surprised with a free Class of 2022 pin badge. Designed by fellow graduate Ruth Cleverdon, the badge was voted for by the Class of 2022. . Including our core brand colours, an illustration of our flag flying above our iconic original entrance and what has become almost a motto ‘We Are YSJ’, this year’s design is a great representation of the Class of 2022!
Lisa Holdsworth shared her optimism for the future
On Wednesday, we conferred the first of this year’s three honorary degrees. Lisa Holdsworth, born and raised in Leeds, completed her degree in London before starting her career. Although Lisa had completed a degree in a different discipline, she ultimately decided she wanted to be a screenwriter when she procrastinated her final university work by writing a screenplay! Now after writing for multiple well-known programmes like Call the Midwife, Emmerdale, New Tricks and Midsommer Murders, Lisa enjoys mentoring the next generation of talent as part of her wider work.
Lisa accepted her Doctor of Letters (honoris causa) with a fantastic speech detailing her career journey so far. She also spoke about the optimism she sees in our new graduates. After starting with the age-old adage about the latest generation always believing they have it worse, Lisa spoke with humour about her own experiences. But Lisa’s speech primarily focused on her hopes for the future. The optimism she sees in our latest graduates, and the fantastic work she sees during her mentoring, shined through as she accepted her honorary degree.
Although Lisa admitted it was an honour she’d never expected, it’s definitely one richly deserved.
From one course to a variety
We’ve come a long way since 1841 when our only course was teacher training. At York St John, we’re proud of our work to open higher education up to all. This includes offering different routes to suit the differing needs of our students, including part-time study, degree-apprenticeships and scholarships.
This week we celebrated graduates from a range of courses who have taken different routes to gain their qualifications. From more traditional taught undergraduate and postgraduate degrees to degree apprenticeships, Masters by Research and PhDs, this graduation saw a range of different degree routes celebrating their own success.
You can find out more about our degree apprenticeship success on our website.
The Rt Rev Rose Hudson-Wilkin, MBE inspired recent gradautes
On Thursday morning we conferred our second of this year’s honorary degrees. Called to ministry at 14, it would take a further 19 years for Rose Hudson-Wilkin’s ambition to be realised. In 1994, Rose became one of the first women to be ordained by the Church of England and is now the Bishop of Dover. Throughout her life and career, Rose has been dedicated to serving others and working within her community. In 2020 she received an MBE for services to young people, and to the Church of England.
Rose accepted her Doctor of Theology (honoris causa) with an inspiring speech about the importance of resilience and perseverance . She spoke about how important it is to positively respond to our circumstances to achieve our dreams, even if it takes 19 years like it did for her! Rose also shared that this resilience and self-belief stemmed from two sources. The first from her faith and the second from the positive role models she had whilst growing up. Rose concluded with some core advice for our latest graduates: become the change you want to see in the world.
At a time when our graduates will be considering their futures, Rose’s final comment that she will continue to serve others, especially the most vulnerable, will have resonated with many.
We saw some fantastic outfits despite the rain
Graduation is a time of celebration. This often means many of our graduates like to get dressed up to celebrate their success. Not even icy winds or pouring rain could stop our graduates from putting their best foot forward! We enjoyed seeing our graduates dressed to impress in fantastic suits, eye-catching colours and some incredible footwear. Although we saw classics like stilettos and fancy leather shoes, we also saw delicate sandals, Dr Martens and even a pair of gold cowboy boots!
The Most Rev and Rt Hon Stephen Cottrell, Archbishop of York, provided some food for thought
On Thursday afternoon we conferred the third of this year’s honorary degrees to someone very familiar with York Minster. There have always been close ties between the Archbishop of York and York St John and as 98th Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell is no exception. As patron of our Institute for Social Justice, Stephen shares our commitment to addressing unfairness and inequality.
Stephen accepted his Doctor of Theology (honoris causa) with an energetic speech. He started with an anecdote about how he blagged a place at a high achieving all-girl’s sixth form. Stephen revealed this was the first time he ever had teachers who believed in him. He likened this to how York St John is not just a place of education, but a place of affirmation. A place where our students and their talents are affirmed, perhaps even for the first time! Stephen concluded with a story for graduates about how material wealth isn’t everything and the importance of
a wealth of knowledge and experience can be just as important.
In a time when our graduates may face challenges, Stephen’s final story certainly provided food for thought about what our graduates should strive for post-graduation.
We celebrated success stories
Every graduate who completes their course with us has their own success story. Although we can’t learn them all during our graduation ceremonies, each ceremony is a celebration of our graduates’ achievements.
Every year we do manage to talk to some graduates from a range of subjects and learn more about their experience of studying with us. From parenting whilst completing a PhD to award-winning films, you can learn more about some of the Class of 2022’s success stories on our website.
After a whirlwind week, the Class of 2022 will be settling back into life as normal. But as alumni of York St John, their lifelong journey with us is just beginning. As they continue their journeys, we can’t wait to celebrate their successes and share their stories with the rest of our alumni community!
