An audience of faculty, stakeholders and around 350 students and their families gathered on Friday October 6 as the University of the Highlands and Islands held its annual celebration of achievement at the Nevis Centre in Fort William.
Hosted by Caol native and ex-professional footballer Duncan Shearer, the ceremony heralded the full-time students who achieved qualifications ranging from access to post graduate level across the university’s ten centres.
Student of the year awards were also announced for individual courses, as well as special awards from industry.
Overall student of the year went to Carol Innes, a 35-year-old mother of four from Ullapool. While studying SWAP Access to Nursing through the university, Carol also worked part-time as a high school pupil support assistant, served as one of the first female retained firefighters on the Ullapool crew and as a volunteer coastguard.
Her achievement is more remarkable as she left high school unable to read or write, instead learning the skills in her 20s through a private tutor. With an ambition to join the ambulance service, Carol decided to do a SWAP Access to Nursing course because it could provide a route for those who have been out of formal education for a number of years.
Carol said: “There are times when I really struggle with understanding some words as I’m dyslexic. I know it takes me a bit longer than some others to learn new things, but once I get it I’m there.
“I really want to pass onto my own children that, no matter how bad life is, you can do anything if you really want to.”
Amongst the special industry awards were the Springboard Bowl for Esther Marcos, recognising her achievement in professional cookery, and the Outward Bound Trust Award for April Heggie.
The event also included the Highland and Islands Students’ Association (HISA) awards for staff and students, which allows students to nominate staff and students in a variety of categories.
Presented by HISA depute president Shannon MacCallum, categories were judged by a panel of staff, students and student officers from across the university partnership.
Shaun Escott, Course Leader in Maritime Skills, received the Above and Beyond award. Shaun is usually to be found in Mallaig, though he lives and works part of the time in the UHI’s Portree centre. Shaun was also highly commended in the Most Engaging Online lecturer category.
Speaking about his award, Shaun said: “I was surprised and delighted to receive this award from the student body at UHI.
“It is a reflection of the hard work and effort put into supporting all the students at Mallaig not just by myself, but also by my colleagues, lecturer Tommy Dunn and centre manager Jane Henderson.
“We work together as a team and with the community to ensure students get the best possible start in the maritime industry or to enter further higher-level study.”
Lydia Rohmer, Principal and Chief Executive of the college said: “My warmest congratulations go to Shaun on such a meaningful award. There is no greater commendation for a lecturer than the admiration and appreciation of your students and I know Shaun always goes over and above to ensure his students achieve their very best in their chosen sphere.
She added: “The HISA awards for 2022-23 recognised that many of our staff and students have experienced another difficult year in getting back to “normal” after a year of, what was for many, covid-interrupted study.
“I am therefore extremely pleased our students recognised the excellent support provided by our colleagues and engaged in large numbers to support nominations in many of the categories.
“The nominations have been extremely moving and all commented on the help available not just during timetabled sessions, but over and above course hours.
“Many commented on how their chosen nominee had created a community in which students could help and support each other, not just as fellow students, but as fellow human beings.
Other highlights of the ceremony were musical performances from ‘Wee Cal’ Calum MacAskill and Emma Forman and the appearance of Ruby Ann Steigelmeier, who travelled back to the UK from the US this year as Covid restrictions had prevented her attending last year’s awards.
Sporting blues were also awarded, with cyclist Matiss Robertson picking up his full blue and downhill mountain bike racer Tiandra Anderson receiving a half blue.
Higher Education Awards
Master of Education Tertiary and Higher Education
Barbara Jane Van Der Meulen
Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE)
Lauren Glasgow
Lauren Grant
Victoria Lesley Horn
Kelsey Nicola O’Rourke
Postgraduate Certificate Specialist Qualification in Headship
Leah Amy Burns
Tanya Ross
Postgraduate Certificate Teaching Qualification Further Education
Lee Ingram
Bachelor of Arts with Honours Adventure Education
Cameron John Bell
April Eve Heggie
Francesca Tomanek
Freya Wise
Bachelor of Arts with Honours Adventure Tourism Management
Scott George Davie
Eilidh Gemmell
Arran Goddard
Shelby Elizabeth Ann Hewlett
Lewis Angus MacDonald
Matiss Edward Robertson
Fraser John Stephen
Bachelor of Arts with Honours Child and Youth Studies
Laura Page
Bachelor of Arts with Honours Criminology
Aimee-Leigh Savickis
Bachelor of Arts with Honours Marine and Coastal Tourism
Angus MacDonald Hulbert
Bachelor of Arts with Honours Sociology and Criminology
Jordan Ward
Bachelor of Science with Honours Adventure Performance and Coaching
Chloé Erbland
Laurynas Jagelo
Emma McBride
Ryan McKenzie
Bachelor of Science with Honours Computing
Lee George Brogan
Bachelor of Arts Adventure Education
Catriona Mary Tough Curtis
Hugh Johnson
Bachelor of Arts Adventure Tourism Management
Harry Dawson
Ruaridh Ian MacNaughton
Charles Parkin
Bachelor of Arts Childhood Practice
Stefanie Easton
Deborah Anne Walter
Bachelor of Arts Marine and Coastal Tourism
Corin Beveridge
Bachelor of Science Adventure Performance and Coaching
Rowan Andrew
William Lang Jammeh
David William Wood
Rural Community Development
Lorraine Lowrie
Teaching Qualification Further Education SCQF level 9
Sarah Bruce
Michael David Campbell
Hector Colin Cormack
Ashley McWalter
Diploma of Higher Education Adventure Education
Daniel Michael Eric Barnes
Lewis Glendinning
Cameron Livingston
Diploma of Higher Education Adventure Performance and Coaching
Mark Andrew Harvey
Higher National Diploma Computer Science
Florin Berci
Charlie James Knight
Higher National Diploma Music
Emma Claire Forman
Robert William Fraser
Calum Ruaraidh MacAskill
RubyAnn Morelli Steigelmeier
Certificate of Higher Education Adventure Education
Ellie Scott
Certificate of Higher Education Adventure Studies
Kelda Anderson
Certificate of Higher Education Adventure Performance and Coaching
Edward Ian Murray John
Certificate of Higher Education Adventure Tourism Management
Euan Snaith
Certificate of Higher Education Criminology
Lynzie Fraser-Craigie
Higher National Certificate Childhood Practice
Abie Beagrie
Amber Johnstone
Dagnija Lauska
Mhairi Kathleen MacColl
Amy Jane MacLean
Beth Dunnett Muir
Rhiannon Van Muysen
Lauren Smith
Higher National Certificate Digital Design and Web Development
Elspeth Jane Leigh-Williams
Higher National Certificate Music
Julian Francis Beale
Higher National Certificate Photography
Sherrel Halliday
Noru Carolina Innes
Higher National Certificate Professional Cookery
Zahraa Al-Rekabi
Connie Charlotte MacLennan
Higher National Certificate Social Services
Joanna Nicol Fallows
Shauna Marie Lauder
Layla Lewis Norval
Hannah Louise Wilson
Further Education Awards
SVQ Aquaculture SCQF level 7
Billy Anderson
Dimitrios Chariskos
Craig MacDonald
SVQ Social Services (Children Young People) SCQF level 7
Jessica Louise Jackson
SVQ Social Services and Healthcare SCQF level 7
Sarah Louise Askham
Lynda Cattanach
Amy Christina Cornish
Charlotte Duffy
Morag Evelyn Susan Forbes
Caitlin McGillivray
Mark Graham MacGregor
Patricia Rydings
NQ Access to Nursing SCQF level 6
Inez Anna Kohls
Anna-Lee MacRae
Sophie Spark-Whitworth
SWAP Access to Nursing SCQF level 6
Carol Innes
NQ Art and Design Portfolio SCQF level 6
Mathew Dallorzo Hanley
Megan Mathers
Sarah Garth Murray
NC Art and Design SCQF Level 6
Gracie Elizabeth Buchan
Faith Marie Crossley
SVQ Business and Administration SCQF level 6
Laura Jane Eaton
Anne Justine Fairbairn
Hazel MacInnes
Yvonne Janet Rosie
Rebecca Louise Wolfenden
NC in Creative Industries: Art and Design Portfolio with Textiles SCQF level 6
Lucas Neil Brian Dillon
Aimee Padley
NC in Creative Industries: Music SCQF level 6
Jamie Dean McKeown
Sam Isaac Exeter Newson
NQ Early Education and Childcare SCQF level 6
Rehana Akter
Eiharra Anjelive Baitan Corral
Iain Archie Angus Ferguson
Sandra Katarzyna Gasperowicz
Rebekah Abbie Lithgow
Marlena Anna Lopatniuk
Coreen Michaela Mulvey
NC in Health and Social Care SCQF level 6
Demi-Leigh Mackenzie
Leah Maxtone
Charlotte Elizabeth Webb
NQ Outdoor Leadership SCQF level 6
Laura Rebecca Blythe
Matthew Haynes
Caidan Jake Hindle
Ellie Moore
Arthur Henry Mortlock
Harry Thomas Young
NC in Professional Cookery SCQF level 6
Stephanie Anne Keenan
Ewan David Young
NC in Shipping and Maritime Operations SCQF level 6
Daniel Langford
Niall MacBeth
Ruairidh MacLellan
Murdo Andrew MacPhail
Aaron-Thomas Edwin Morrison
SVQ Social Services and Healthcare SCQF level 6
Lisa Michelle Askham
Anna Bartoszek
Angela Brown
Yvonne Fairbairn
Levi Lorraine Flanagan
Karen Kennedy
John Andrew Mair
Yvonne Scobie
Transition to Higher Education SCQF level 6
Fin Earthy
David Rorie MacRae
Ceinwen McCluskie
Student of the Year Awards
NPA Construction Skills SCQF5
Samara Noreen McCormack
NPA Construction Skills SCQF5
Kevin Simon Murphy
NC Health and Social Care SCQF6
Charlotte Elizabeth Webb
NC Child Health & Social Care SCQF5
Kyrah Jane Burr
NQ Early Education & Childcare Level 6
Coreen Michaela Mulvey
SWAP Access to Nursing
Carol Innes
NC Computing with Digital Media SCQF5
Jamie Connor Smyth
NC In Art & Design Progression SCQF6
Gracie Elizabeth Buchan
NC Beauty Care And Make-Up SCQF 5
Jemma Antonia Donaghy
NC Creative Industries (Art, Design, Textiles)
Aimee Padley
NC Creative Industries SCQF 6
Jamie Dean McKeown
NQ Countryside Skills Level 4
Tracy Victoria Keenan
NQ Aquaculture Marine & Maritime Skills Level 5
Adam James Kennedy
NQ Outdoor Leadership Level 6
Laura Rebecca Blythe
NQ Outdoor Adventure Level 5
Cormac Payne
NC Prof Cookery & Hospitality SCQF5
Rachel Ann Beveridge
NC Professional Cookery SCQF6
Ewan David Young
NQ Countryside Skills with Ranger Training SCQF5
Robbie James Mackay
NQ Access To Nursing SCQF 6
Anna-Lee MacRae
HNC Music
Michael Ian Burns
HNC Textiles
Sharon Lorraine Murphy
HNC Photography
Sherrel Halliday
HNC Social Services
Hannah Louise Wilson
HNC Childhood Practice
Amy Jane Maclean
HNC Digital Design & Web Development
Elspeth Jane Leigh-Williams
HNC Computing
John-Michael Jacques Sinclair
HND Music
Emma Claire Forman
BA Hons Marine & Coastal Tourism
Angus MacDonald Hulbert
BA Hons Adventure Tourism Management
Shelby Elizabeth Ann Hewlett
BSc Adventure Performance & Coaching
Rowan Andrew
BA Hons Adventure Education
April Heggie
Special Awards from Industry
Springboard Bowl – Achievement in Professional Cookery
Esther Marcos
Strathmore Tourism Award – Achievement in Hospitality
Ewan Young
Mallaig Harbour Authority Award
Angus MacLean
Scottish Qualification Authority Local College Award
Tracy Keenan
Outward Bound Trust Award
April Heggie
HISA Awards
Sporting Full Blue Award
Matiss Robertson
Sporting Half Blue Award
Tiandra Anderson
HISA Staff Award – “Above and Beyond”
Shaun Escott