Furness College Celebrates the Achievements of Higher Education Graduates

Furness College proudly celebrated the achievements of its Higher Education students at its annual Graduation Ceremony, recognising the dedication, resilience and success of graduates as they marked the culmination of their studies.

Held in the presence of family, friends, staff and special guests, the ceremony celebrated students completing Higher Education qualifications awarded by Lancaster University, University of Lancashire and Pearson.

The event was opened by Principal Scott Cubitt, who congratulated graduates on their achievements and recognised the commitment they had shown throughout their studies.

Guests were then welcomed by keynote speaker Adele Neale, founder of Conexiones and a proud Furness College alumna. Adele returned to the College to share her inspiring journey from completing an HNC in Business and Finance to building an award-winning international career in sales and leadership.

Reflecting on her own career, Adele spoke about the importance of resilience, embracing opportunity and believing in your own potential. She encouraged graduates to remain open to new experiences, reminding them that careers rarely follow a straight path and that every challenge presents an opportunity to learn and grow.

Speaking after the ceremony, Adele said:

“Returning to Furness College to speak at graduation was a real privilege. It was wonderful to celebrate with graduates who have worked so hard to reach this milestone. I hope my journey showed them that no matter where you start, with determination, resilience and a willingness to embrace opportunities, incredible things are possible.”

Graduates also heard from Student Voice speaker Joanne Eva, who completed a BA (Hons) in Education and Professional Studies through the University of Lancashire. Joanne reflected on her own experiences of Higher Education, speaking about the challenges, achievements and personal growth that accompanied her studies.

Following the presentation of awards, the College also presented the Frank Cairns Award, an annual award given in memory of former colleague Frank Cairns.

The award recognises a student who has demonstrated exceptional determination, resilience and commitment throughout their studies, often in the face of significant personal challenges. This year’s recipient was Emma Sture.

Principal Scott Cubitt said:

“Graduation is one of the highlights of the academic year. It is an opportunity to celebrate not only academic success, but also the determination, resilience and commitment that our students have demonstrated throughout their learning journey.

“We are incredibly proud of each and every graduate and look forward to seeing the positive contribution they will make within their professions, businesses and communities. On behalf of everyone at Furness College, I offer my sincere congratulations and wish them every success for the future.”

The ceremony concluded with graduates celebrating alongside family, friends and College staff, marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter in their personal and professional journeys.

Congratulations to all of our Higher Education graduates on this outstanding achievement.