Connection Graduations 2008

Graduation 2008

Lawrence Dallaglio OBE

Sir Trevor Brooking CBE, Lawrence Dallaglio OBE, and Terry Pratchett OBE were amongst a distinguished gathering of individuals from the worlds of sport, business, enterprise and the arts who were honoured at Bucks New University’s graduation ceremonies, which took place at the Wycombe Swan Theatre from 8–12 September.

Lawrence Dallaglio received an honorary degree in recognition of his significant achievements throughout his rugby career, representing and captaining both England and London Wasps, the University’s premier league rugby partner. Lawrence commented: “I am delighted to be receiving an honorary degree from Bucks New University. It is very special for me to accept this award in the town in which I have played for my entire club career, and where I have such history and memories.”

Sir Trevor Brooking was awarded his honorary degree in recognition of his contribution to football, his wider contribution to sporting development, and his support for the Bucks New University National Soccer Summer School. “It is a privilege to accept an honorary degree from Bucks New University. I have supported the University’s National Summer Soccer School in the past and am pleased to be associated with its activities in the area of sports development. It is an honour to be recognised in this way,” said Sir Trevor.

Terry Pratchett is one of the most prolific and best-selling authors of recent decades. He has written 50 books and co-authored another 50, with sales of around 60 million copies in 37 languages. Terry commented: “I am amazed and delighted to receive a degree from Bucks New University, especially since High Wycombe was where I was educated, or least subject to laudably strenuous efforts in that general direction, got my first job and even lived for several years. I’m practically a local boy!”

The honorary graduates accepted their awards alongside 1,300 Bucks New University students who received their degree certificates in the presence of family and friends. David Gay, Pro

Vice Chancellor, Academic Services, Planning & Enhancement, commented: “This year’s graduation ceremonies were very special as they were the first to be held since the approval of our new name, Buckinghamshire New University.

The recipients of honorary awards were chosen in recognition of their outstanding achievements in their particular fields, and as an inspiration to the graduating students, and those that will come after them. We are delighted that they have accepted our invitation to be associated with us in this way at this significant time in the University’s history.”

Sir Trevor Brooking CBE

Honorary degrees were also received by: Graham Austin – recognised for his career in commercial pilot training and education, and for his company’s long partnership with the University.

Tom Dean – recognised for his significant achievements in the furniture industry and his long service to the University’s governing body, the Council.

Scot Gardner – awarded for his career achievements, most notably with Cisco UK and Ireland, and for the groundbreaking partnership established between Cisco, HP and the University.

Boo Ritson – awarded for her significant achievements in her creative work, and for her support for teaching and learning at the University.

Edward and Vicki Tadros – awarded jointly in recognition of maintaining and building on the Ercol heritage and tradition, their concern for environmentally-friendly production methods, and their long-standing support for the work of the University.

Martin Hess – recognised for his career achievements, most notably with HP UK and Ireland, and for the groundbreaking partnership established between HP, Cisco and the University.

Peter Moss FIA – awarded for his outstanding contribution, as Chairman of the Council, to the successful development of the University.

Terry Pratchett OBE and Prof Farwell

Bob Newell – recognised for his long service chairing the Buckinghamshire Economic Partnership and for his support for the work of the University and its graduates.

Bill Reid – awarded for his substantial and effective contribution to voluntary and community services in Buckinghamshire.

Edward and Vicki Tadros

Honorary fellowships were received by: Mike Bellamy – recognised for his significant contribution to the work of the Council of the University, and to the National Health Service.

Yvonne Franks – Yvonne is Director of Nursing and Midwifery at West Midlands University Hospital in Isleworth, and was formerly the Head of Nursing for Outpatient and Diagnostic Services at Queen Mary’s University Hospital in Roehampton. Yvonne is strongly committed to professional nursing issues, pre- and postgraduate nursing and midwifery education.

Lord Justice Sir William Gage – knighted in 1993, Sir William was appointed to the Court of Appeal in 2004 as Lord Justice Gage. He has been a Judge of the Queen’s Bench Division since 1993 and from 1997 to 2000 was the Presiding Judge of the South Eastern Circuit. He chaired the Criminal Justice Council in 2005 and was recently appointed as the Chairman of the Working Group into Structured Sentencing.

Mike Street OBE – awarded for his many years of service to the aviation industry, and for his significant contribution to the work of the Council of the University.

The graduation ceremonies were attended by a range of distinguished speakers: Captain Ian Baston – Ian is currently General Manager Flight Crew for the airline, Flybe, with responsibility for manpower planning for 700 pilots. He also oversees pilot training schemes at a variety of UK and European flight training organisations. Ian saw service in the First Gulf War in 1991 and has spent 20 years as a pilot on frontline aircraft.

Above: Jazz Summers Right: Lord Justice Sir William Gage Left: Yvonne Franks

Felicity Collier – a former Chief Executive of the British Association for Adoption and Fostering, Felicity qualified in social work at Buckinghamshire College of Higher Education in 1978 before gaining an MPhil in Social Work at Brunel University in 1994. She has held a variety of posts in the industry, including child care social worker, senior probation officer and divorce court welfare officer.

Mark Allard

Mark, from Haverhill, Suffolk, graduated from Bucks New University on 9 September with a BA (Hons) in Video Production. His dissertation film was a piece of fiction based around a dystopian view of the future which elaborates on the knife problems of today. The nine-minute short film has been accepted at a film festival in Canada, and in a UK-based online event called Canned Film.

“It’s great experience, and my first step on the career ladder” Mark also gained a student volunteering award for a three-minute

Graduation 2008

Jazz Summers – CEO of Big Life Music, Jazz has been responsible for managing artists including Wham!, Lisa Stansfield, Yazz, and The Verve, who between them have sold over 40 million albums around the world. In 2003 Jazz was awarded the prestigious Peter Grant award, and at the 2007 Music Week Awards, he was honoured with the Strat Award.

Jaspal Bhambra

Graduate shows films at festivals Student Mark Allard had his dissertation film screened at two film festivals even before he graduated from university.

David Mellor OBE – David is currently a Visiting Professor of Telecommunications at Coventry University having worked in the telecommunications industry for over 40 years, in over 120 countries. Working with governments and universities, David has designed a number of academic programmes. He received an OBE in 2003 for his work with the British Government.

video he produced with fellow Bucks student, David Thorne, which helped to save the Micklefield Library in High Wycombe from closure. “I felt strongly that the library shouldn’t close. We worked with Micklefield Matters, the charity which campaigned to save the library. We included vox pops in our video and kept it light-hearted. It was used in a bid by the charity for Lottery funding, and I was told afterwards that the video helped clinch it.”

Mark spent his summer holidays getting experience of commercial video-making through working for the High Wycombe based Hazlemere Group. “It’s been set up by the University and the Bucks Free Press, and will be the first commercial by the company on a website. It’s great experience, and my first step on the career ladder,” says Mark.

Maria Monaghan

New life for single mum A new life beckons for single mum, Maria Monaghan, who graduated from Bucks New University. Maria, 40, who left school in Darlington with GCSEs, aims to set up her own business after graduating with an HNC in Garden Design with Plantmanship.

we became homeless. As a single mum on benefits, I had no family in this area, and no-one to help me. But I focused on my studies and have achieved my goal. I feel so proud of myself. I’m a new person, and the course has given me the confidence to find a new direction.

“The course has given me the confidence to find a new direction”

“I cared for people for 20 years, and it was hard work. I believe working with plants is similar to working with people as you need understanding and patience. But it’s something I really want to do. Now my goal is to raise the money I need to start my own business.”

Maria had been accepted onto the HNC after gaining a distinction in a National Certificate of Horticulture at Bucks’s partner college, Berkshire College of Agriculture, in 2006.

“The course has changed my life,” she says. “I moved south with my little girl after working as a care assistant for 20 years. However, my partner then walked out. In addition,

Did you know?

Students at the Friday morning graduation ceremony were joined onstage by the FA and Guinness Premiership Cups.

Graduate follows in her father’s footsteps The Dixons from Tylers Green are celebrating becoming a two-generation graduation family at Bucks.

Elaine Dixon, 21, from Tylers Green, received a BA (Hons) in Journalism & English Literature at the University’s graduation ceremony on 10 September, following in her father Ron’s footsteps.

Ron Dixon graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Furniture Production Management in 2001.

“I am really pleased to be one of the first graduates of Bucks New University” Elaine not only studied in High Wycombe, but also spent the middle year of her three-year course in an exchange with the University of Central Missouri (UCM) in the mid-west of the United States. She says: “I am really pleased to be one of the first graduates of Bucks New University. I loved being in America for the year, as I was not only able to experience living and studying in another culture, but was also able to travel around the States to do some sightseeing. I did some PR work for UCM and had some of my writing published in the University newspaper, The Muleskinner.”

Ron, who started his course due to redundancy after a 25-year career in the airline industry at Heathrow, says that he would recommend doing the same to anyone who faces an uncertain future. “I wrote forty job applications at the time” he says. “All were unsuccessful, mainly due, I suspect, to my age. Some firms didn’t even bother to reply.

“But, after graduation and the paid Graduate Teacher Programme, I soon found employment as a teacher. I have since taught design and technology full-time at Dr Challoner’s Grammar School in Amersham, and am now at the Royal Grammar School on a part-time basis.”

Elaine and Ron Dixon

Bucks student plans a career in the music and entertainments industry Pardeep Dhonsi

Pardeep Dhonsi is planning a career in the music and entertainments industry having graduated from Bucks New University this September. Pardeep, a former pupil of Ise Community College, Kettering, graduated with a BA in Music Industry Management.

Pardeep says: “During my first year at university I began producing music as a pastime with no real intentions. But, through my course I found great ways to get in touch and actively keep in touch with key industry figures, including: music producer Ronnie King, producer of Mariah Carey, Craig David, Snoop Dogg, and The Offspring; Styalz Fuego, who has produced for rapper Chamillionnaire; and composer David Tobin, a well-known, and highlyexperienced composer.

“I can play many instruments, and those that I can’t, I can emulate; as I’ve learnt how to produce music” “I can play many instruments, and those that I can’t, I can emulate; as I’ve learnt how to produce music, I can go into a studio and do everything myself, on a DIY basis. My production style is quite alternative; for example, I don’t necessarily always use real drums, but will make sounds myself. For a snare drum, I will use biscuit tins with steel rattles taped inside. Then I have my own unique snare, and no one anywhere can recreate that exact sound.”

Pardeep has worked since he was 17, and throughout his studies, at Wicksteed Park, a family theme park.

During his second year, he gained promotion to supervisor and within a week was made deputy manager, responsible for up to 50 staff. He is one of the youngest managers in the company, and in the company’s history.

television, and training in voice, acting and dance.

Lee, 21, paved his way to New York by studying for two years at Bucks New University for an HND in Musical Theatre, delivered through partner college Amersham & Wycombe. Lee is unusual in coming from a family in the north west with no background in the theatre. His father is an engineer and his mother is tone deaf.

Lee says: “I hadn’t done any acting or dancing until I was 15 when I took part in a school production of Grease.

Up to then, I’d wanted to be a graphic designer.” At Bucks, he broadened his experience considerably taking lead roles in a wide range of productions, from Oklahoma, a classic by Rodgers and Hammerstein to I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change!, a highly comic contemporary piece about relationships.

Lee said: “Being offered this amazing opportunity to study in New York City is a dream come true and I’ll make sure I make the best of it.”

Graduates set up video production company Three graduates in Video Production have got their minds firmly set on what they want to do in life after graduation, having founded production company, 3am films.

Robert Smith, Tom Chamberlain and Alex Godfrey met in their experimental and music video classes in their second year, and started working on producing music videos together.

Nursing student gets married on graduation day Bucks New University student Emelia Bekoe had a triple celebration on 10 September, as she got married, graduated and celebrated her daughter being six months old, all on the same day.

Emelia, 32, married Eric Odame in South East London, before travelling to High Wycombe for her graduation ceremony.

Emelia graduated with a Diploma of Higher Education in Nursing, and was also awarded the Hannah Evans prize for the best student in clinical practice. Emelia and Eric’s fathers had both flown from Ghana to be with them on their special day.

Emelia said: “It was a great day. I had an award at the graduation ceremony, and my baby daughter was six months old too. It was great to have my father and father-in-law come to the wedding and graduation. It was an honourable day for me.” Emelia is now studying for a degree.

After talking to an actor who was cast in their first video, it was mentioned that a band called Tin Soldiers were looking for someone in the industry to make a music video for them. Tin Soldiers hired a professional music video director, Peter Lippmann, who is best known for directing Michael Jackson’s video of Billie Jean, and he flew over from America to help the students.

“The agreement was that we would make a music video for them – one that we would be able to use as our project – and also help out in organising a video for Peter to shoot, both over the course of a weekend. We had a lot of work to do and many of our friends on the course got involved and helped us,” said Robert. “Being involved with every facet of the production and ultimately, making sure we made a video that would please the band and ourselves was very exciting.”

Graduate sets his sights on Broadway

“In the long run we would love to be very successful in the film industry”

The bright lights of Broadway beckon for Barrow-in-Furness student, Lee Mason. Lee flew to New York in October to begin a two-year course at the prestigious American Musical and Dramatic Academy.

The band used the video on their websites and on their promotional DVD, along with footage of the band performing to the audience who went along for the shoots, and an interview with the band.

Young would-be actors and singers from around the world audition for places at AMDA. Selection is extremely competitive and places are only offered to students who have the potential to succeed through its intense conservatory program. The course covers acting for stage, film and

The three graduates plan to continue to work together making short films, music videos and getting in contact with promotional and advertising companies. “In the long run we would love to be very successful in the film industry and will strive to achieve this joint goal,” said Robert.

Eric and Emelia Odame Robert Smith and Alex Godfrey

Student praises university life

Most graduating students will say they have enjoyed university and all the experiences that come with it, but Nargis Aniston (formerly Ali) has taken it that bit further and called going to university “…the best decision I have ever made.”

After being born in Britain she moved to Bangladesh for 10 years and attended a boarding school there.

However at the age of 11 she returned to Britain to receive treatment after becoming ill with cystic fibrosis.

Nargis always felt that she was behind everyone else in class due to her illness and having to miss school for large proportions of time. However it was only after finishing her first year at Bucks New University that she found out she had dyslexia, thanks to the help of the Disability Service.

“The last three years have been challenging. I have come from a complicated life of illness and I feel university has given me the freedom to be myself,” said Nargis. “I can truly say I have never been so happy as being in university – it was an escape from all my problems and gave me opportunities to develop myself.”

With her disadvantages, Nargis felt she was not capable of doing things on her own. “My confidence was lacking and I had low self esteem because I felt disabled, but university has really helped me to build my confidence! I have started my career at marketing IT company, The Planet Group Ltd B2B Marketing, and I am excited to see what the future holds.”

Nargis Aniston

Jaspal has set up his own video and music studio where he is working with artists to produce fly-on-the-wall documentaries. After Asian ID, Jaspal worked with Amit & Naroop, Asian photographers for movie album art, whose clients include 50 Cent, to create a documentary about their work and lives.

“My plans for the future are to keep working in this industry and making documentaries. I love making documentaries about real subjects, but in the future I would also love to work on short movies and films.”

Sue Bleach YHA Australia to the local student population. The marketing plan had to incorporate the academic requirements of the module assignment and be a functional marketing plan that YHA Australia could use.

Sue said: “My plan looked at several different ways of promoting the organisation within the very limited budget, including the use of local radio, but following research into costs and using a questionnaire amongst the target audience, I settled on the use of advertising through Facebook with a link to the YHA Australia site.”

The prize for winning the competition was 2,000km of Greyhound Australia bus travel, 10 overnight stays in YHA Australia hostels and a Lonely Planet guide. The winner was also to be offered the opportunity and £300 to implement their plan for the YHA. It was the first time this competition has been utilised as part of a course and was a pilot scheme amongst three universities.

Having achieved distinctions in all of her course modules, Sue Bleach has returned to Bucks to top up her HND.

Mature student receives commendations for furniture conservation

Mature student Elizabeth Heyer achieved a first class degree in Furniture: Conservation, Restoration & Decorative Arts with commendations in gilding and upholstery. She also received a letter of congratulations from the Examining Board recognising her exceptionally high standard of performance across all components of the course.

Elizabeth had worked for the healthcare profession for almost 30 years. Though she thoroughly enjoyed the career, she decided it was time for a change. She had no experience in the furniture industry, but an interest in antique furniture and the restoration of 1930s cars.

Graduate’s documentary gets great review Jaspal Bhambra graduated with a BA (Hons) in Video Production & Media Studies and is already making a name for himself in the television industry.

“My plans for the future are to keep working in this industry”

Bucks student wins marketing competition

Sue Bleach, a nurse and mother of two, has completed her HND course in Travel & Tourism at Bucks New University and has won the Youth Hostels Association (YHA) Australia Marketing Campaign competition.

“I settled on the use of advertising through Facebook” Lecturer, Dr Tom Hose, introduced the idea of this competition and made it one of the modules his students had to take. The competition involved submitting a marketing plan to promote

Jaspal created a documentary called Asian ID to find out how the public viewed Asian culture and the way it has been perceived by the media. He asked the public which Asian celebrities they would most like to hear from and read about. Results indicated that they wanted to steer clear from such well-known Asian celebrities as Meera Syal and Sanjeev Banskar because they’ve already had their say; the public wanted to hear new views and opinions.

So, Jaspal approached fresh and different celebrities like chart-topping singer Jay Sean, Radio 1 DJ Bobby Friction, and journalist Sunny Hundal.

He sent his video to FourDocs, an online documentary channel from Channel 4. Before it could be officially added, it had to be commissioned by the FourDocs chief editor, who added a review and rating, before it was voted on and reviewed by viewers. Asian ID quickly received a 4.5 star review.

Elizabeth Heyer After completing two one-week restoration courses, Elizabeth decided to apply for the BA course at Bucks. She was aware that it would be a challenge to catch up with others who already had some of the basic skills; however this did not discourage her. Commuting 85 miles from Steeple Bumpstead meant that Elizabeth had to leave home at 6am to avoid the traffic, and stay over several nights a week. During her second year Elizabeth’s mother died very suddenly, which had a profound impact on her life, but also made her all the more determined to do well in her degree.

Course leader, Paul Tear MBE, said: “Her new-found skills in cabinet making, gilding, upholstery and finishing will not only set her on the road to an exciting new career, but will also be a valuable asset to her hobby.” Previous graduates have been offered positions in

commercial furniture conservation workshops, as well as in museums and historic houses.

Graduate achieves success as Mix 107 newsreader

Glyn Tansley graduated with a first class honours degree in Journalism & Video Production, having already gained experience in broadcast journalism through working with local radio station, Mix 107.

“It certainly prepared me for the world of broadcast journalism which is what I want to break into” During his final year at Bucks, Glyn auditioned and was taken on for the position of a weekend morning news reader for Mix 107. After shadowing Mix 107’s News and Sports Editor, Hilary Colgan, in the newsroom for several weeks, Glyn completed his first radio bulletin. “Thankfully my first bulletin was not live because I made a few mistakes that needed to be edited out. It also meant I got the chance to hear myself on the radio which was pretty cool,” he said.

Glyn’s Saturdays started very differently from those of most other students. He woke up at 5.30am and after watching the news headed off to the Mix 107 studio to work on the most important and relevant stories for that day, putting them in order for the newscast. He said: “Doing live bulletins was terrifying – the fact that you’re not allowed to make mistakes sometimes makes you more liable to make them!

But I soon settled down and really enjoyed live bulletins.”

Glyn continued: “It certainly prepared me for the world of broadcast journalism which is what I want to break into. I even enjoyed the early mornings!”

Hilary Colgan commented: “I knew Glyn had what it takes from his very first test bulletin and it has been fantastic to hear his news reading skills go from strength to strength each week. He has been a real asset to the Mix 107 news team.”

Glyn’s success at Mix 107, coupled with his impressive degree, helped him to secure a place at Cardiff University on a Postgraduate Diploma in Broadcast Journalism.

Glyn Tansley