Graduation special edition THE
C OU RI E R THE INDEPENDENT VOICE OF NEWCASTLE STUDENTS
EST 1948
Issue 1212 Monday 5 July 2010 www.thecourieronline.co.uk
FREE
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students arrived nervous and excited at the doors of Castle Leazes or 5LFKDUGVRQ 5RDG PD\ KDYH Ă RZQ by, but the growth and education that have taken place during this time are priceless. Newcastle graduates face one of the best rates of employment in the country, a fact that can most certainly be attributed to the diverse opportunities and academic excellence offered by the institution. Having looked forward in anticipation to their graduation ceremony for some time, some students may be confused at the absence of mortar boards from the ceremonies. Legend has it that when Newcastle detached itself from Durham and became an independent university in 1963, students celebrated their new status by throwing the traditional hats into the Tyne and since then, students of Newcastle University have graduated without them. The Courier would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all students on their achievement. As they step forward to the next exciting phase of their lives we hope they will continue treasure the memories and friendships of their years at Newcastle. We wish them all the best of luck and success in the future.
Hats off: Newcastle students graduate this week but a long-held tradition means that there will be no mortar boards on show
A right royal affair
Chancellor welcomed in
University challenged
Celebrate in style
Stan Calvert success
It has been a year of royal visits to Newcastle University, with the Queen and Prince Andrew both following Princess Eugenie to campus News, page 3
&KLHI 0HGLFDO 2I¿ FHU 6LU /LDP Donaldson was inaugurated as the University’s new Chancellor last term, WDNLQJ RYHU IURP /RUG 3DWWHQ RI %DUQHV News, page 7
Newcastle University made it on to Jeremy Paxman’s legendary quiz show in March, where they came up against IHOORZ QRUWKHUQ LQVWLWXWLRQ 6KHI¿ HOG News, page 8
The Courier UHYLHZV WKH Âż QHVW restaurants in Newcastle and tells you where to go for your celebratory graduation meal this week Life & Style, page 14-15
Newcastle made it an historic hat-trick of victories over Northumbria in the annual 6WDQ &DOYHUW VKRZGRZQ LQ )HEUXDU\ winning by a record 51.5 points Sport, page 20
Fran Infante Editor This week the University’s iconic King’s Hall building will play host to the graduation ceremonies of more than 4,000 students, attended by thousands of proud friends and relatives. The Arches, where many students have gathered over the last few ZHHNV WR OHDUQ WKH FODVVLÀ FDWLRQ RI degree which they will receive, provides a striking entrance to the historic quadrangle where photos will be taken that will be cherished for years to come. At Newcastle the student experience in itself is somewhat legendary. Last year it was ranked in the country’s top 20 by The Times Higher Education poll and though many graduates will be saddened to leave this colourful and exciting stage of their lives behind, the right of passage that is the graduation ceremony soOLGLÀ HV WKH RYHUDUFKLQJ DFKLHYHPHQW RI DOO À QDO \HDU VWXGHQWV The all-nighters, the deadline day panics, the extracurricular activities and the vibrant city itself all contribute to the experiences celebrated by this week’s ceremonies — a once in a lifetime event to be enjoyed by all. The years that have elapsed since
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