GRADUATES from USP Palmers College in Thurrock finally got to celebrate their success at a showcase event in the borough.

The students, who completed courses over the last two years recently saw their achievements recognised after successfully completing their course despite the global pandemic.

A total of 120 students from 2020 and 2021 graduated from the Foundation Degree in Early Years, BA (Hons) in Education Studies & Early Years, BSc (Hons) Health Promotion & Social Work, HND Art & Design, HNC Computing and Diploma in Education & Training.

To mark that, an evening of celebration was held at Orsett Hall in Grays, which saw Gordon Haines, Chair of Corporation at USP College, present graduates with certificate scrolls, along with speeches delivered by Dan Pearson, Principal and CEO of USP College, Dr Cheryl Holman and Alison McLauchlin, Associate Deans of Academic Quality Assurance from the University of Hertfordshire plus Stuart Coussins, Head of Higher Education at the College.

Mr Pearson addressed the graduates, saying: "Through the last two years of the pandemic, you have endured times never faced by modern humans.

"Education has faced huge changes and many challenges, and you have been the people in the thick of it.

"You've shown tenacity and resilience by accessing your learning despite the pandemic and remaining determined to achieve and progress as well as adapting rapidly to the use of digital methods to learn and progress, which will serve you well in this digital revolution.

"Have the courage to follow your heart to become what and who you want to be. Carve and create your own path in the new world we live in. Everything else is secondary."

Special academic prizes were awarded to two graduates. Sharna McCornack, who graduated from the Foundation Degree in Early Years in 2020, in recognition of the progress she made and Karen Davidson, who graduated from the BA (Hons) in Education Studies & Early Years in 2021, for her resilience and accomplishments in the face of adversity.

To find out more about studying a Higher Education course at USP College, click this link.