2023 Graduation: Celebrating more than 4,000 graduating students
Credit: Hannah Houghton
Over 3,000 students descended on Leicester’s De Montfort Hall last week to join the University in celebrating the culmination of their academic journey.
Graduation marks the end of students’ studies here at the University of Leicester and is a time of reflection and celebration. A total of 4,393 students were awarded a qualification, of which 3,172 graduating students received their certificates during the graduation ceremonies.
Graduands of 95 different nationalities attended, reflecting the diversity and inclusiveness of the University’s student community, with a palpable excitement both before and after students made their momentous walk across the stage.
Jaedyn Pathania, 21 years old, graduated in Biological Sciences on Friday 21 July. She said: “I’m very excited. I’ve got my sister, all my family, and my two grandmas as well.”
Arooj Siddique, aged 24, graduated in Medicine and in Surgery during the Friday morning graduation ceremony.
She said: “It felt unreal to walk across the stage. I still can’t believe it. It’s been six years, and I’m still shocked.”
Jaedyn Pathania (left) and Glynis Wright MBE (right).
Graduation is also an opportunity for staff to join in celebrating the accomplishments of students, and recognise and appreciate the hard work and effort of everyone involved in their university experience.
Maxine Bodicoat, Student Development Team Leader, took on the role of an usher during graduation. Maxine said: “Graduation is a lovely time of year, the campus is full of life and there is such a great buzz and celebratory atmosphere. It’s great to be a part of it, and it’s a reminder of the important reason we’re all here!”
And as well as graduating students, the University also took the opportunity to honour six distinguished individuals at its ceremonies.
Glynis Wright MBE, who graduated in 1984 with an English and Philosophy degree, was among those awarded an honorary degree this year.
Addressing the graduates at De Montfort Hall, she said: “The memories I have of my time with the University of Leicester are so precious to me and without doubt embedded my loyalty to Leicester. I have tried to give back to my community over the ensuing years and will continue to do so. “I could not have imagined when I graduated at De Montfort Hall in July 1984 that, in July 2023, I would be returning to another graduation ceremony with the University to collect an Honorary Doctorate in Law.”
- Watch the graduation ceremonies online
- Written by Hannah Houghton