Introduction

After five years of study Simon achieved his degree of Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery at the University of Nottingham. Founded in 1881 as a civic college, it moved into the iconic Trent Building which was situated in 35 acres of parkland in 1928 not far from the city centre. This was to become the main campus, University Park. The college was awarded its Royal Charter and became the University of Nottingham in 1948. The Medical School was established in 1970.

The University has its own style of academic dress. Gowns for first degrees are black. Degree students wear a black hood of the Cambridge shape which is lined with the University's colour of light blue silk. The edge of the hood is bound with a ribbon of the appropriate faculty colour (which for the Faculty of Medicine, Medical Science and Public Health is gold). Bachelors wear an ordinary square cap.

Over a period of eight days in July, the University holds its series of Summer Graduation Ceremonies. The morning ceremony of the 16th was for the conferment of degrees upon students from the Faculty of Medicine and Health Science. As well as graduands from the Veterinary School, a total of 315 candidates (33 in absentia) from the Medical School were listed for the award.

The day proved warm and overcast but the forecast rain held off. A large and well-marshalled area of the grounds had been overlaid with plastic paving to create a convenient car park. The excited graduands were gathered together to be robed and schooled in the order of events. The Congregation of the University was held in the Graduation Hall and nearby a colony of marquees had been erected to house the hospitality suite, the photography studio and the memorabilia stalls. Tea and coffee was served to the arriving guests prior to the event.

The ceremony

In the main hall, converted for the occasion from the Sports Hall, graduands were seated in rows towards the rear on either side of the central aisle. The Academic Procession entered at 11.00am. The proceedings were called to order by Vice-Chancellor Professor David Greenaway who also gave the opening address. It was then the time for the awarding of the degrees. In turn the candidates filed onto the stage and were announced by the Dean of the Faculty, Professor Ian Hall. The certificates were presented by the Vice-Chancellor.

Continued in column 2...

Simon Graduates

Post ceremony facilities

The ceremony over, the new graduates and their guests came blinking out into the daylight. Queues quickly formed outside the Photography tent where the official studio portraits were carried out. Next door was the Memorabilia tent which carried stocks of souvenirs ranging from T-shirts inscribed with the names of class members to teddy bears bearing University logos. The hospitality tent offered post ceremony refreshments in the form of a cold buffet and soft drinks.

... And then it was time to leave. The gowns and hoods were handed back. Final greetings and congratulations were exchanged. The graduates have been invited to join the University's alumni community. A last trip down the winding drive leads to the University's main gates and to the awaiting outside world.

Footnote

Now that he has officially left behind his life as an undergraduate student, Simon is embarking on his two-year foundation training programme with the Trent Foundation School. He will be based at the Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham and the Pilgrim Hospital, Boston, Lincolnshire.

As a celebration in honour of his graduation and a mark of entry into his new career, Simon has been enrolled as a Young Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine. All his family and friends offer him our heartiest congratulations and wish him all success and happiness for the future.

References

1. "Trent Building Aerial View". A post card from the "Keep In Touch" booklet. The University of Nottingham alumni community.
2. Academic Dress. The Summer 2010 Graduation Ceremonies programme. University of Nottingham.

Photographs by Alan D. Craxford

Page added July 21st 2010
Last updated: March 21st 2012

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