Graduation review: Thursday 21 November 2019

Day two of graduation week saw more than 750 students receive their awards across two ceremonies at Liverpool Cathedral.

The morning ceremony celebrated graduates from:

• The Faculty of Engineering and Technology (Applied Mathematics, the Astrophysics Research Institute, Computer Science, Electronics and Electrical Engineering and Maritime and Mechanical Engineering);
• Humanities and Social Science;
• The Liverpool Centre for Advanced Policing Studies; and
• Liverpool Screen School.

Alaina Weir graduated with an MA in Criminal Justice and is now studying for a PhD and a Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) position. Of her time at LJMU, Alaina (pictured below left) said:

“I can genuinely say I have enjoyed every aspect of my university experience; it was a pleasure to be a LJMU student. From meeting some of the most remarkable people who will be friends for life, to making my family proud, to witnessing both my course mates and I progress academically, to playing sport for the LJMU societies! It has been an amazing opportunity that I will always be grateful for.”

Sarah Gethin celebrated receiving her MA International Criminal Justice. Sarah (below right), who has joined West Midlands Police and is aiming for a career in counter-terrorism, said:

“Having visited numerous universities around the country, nowhere stood out quite as much as Liverpool John Moores University. Initially, I had set my heart on the criminology degree until I went with a friend to view a Criminal Justice taster session on a LJMU open day. The breadth of the subject was so varied and diverse, which offered an abundance of routes into a prospective career in the field of criminal justice. It is also vitally important to mention the Criminal Justice lecturers who are some of the most dedicated, supportive and passionate teachers I have ever come across, who went above and beyond to offer a wealth of dedication, passion and support over the last four years.”

Meanwhile, the morning ceremony also saw the award of a prestigious Honorary Fellowship to former First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Philip Jones.

Professor Peter Byers, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Education) at LJMU said: “It is fitting that such a maritime-centric city as Liverpool should honour the First Sea Lord and particularly fitting that Sir Philip, who was born across the water in the Wirral, has been so influenced by the sea.”

Sir Philip spoke of his pride at following in the footsteps of his father, who worked at Cammell Laird shipyard in Wirral and said: “I’m very proud to promote links between this great city and the Royal Navy and Merchant Navy.”

Sir Philip is pictured below (centre) with LJMU Chancellor Sir Brian Leveson (left) and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ian Campbell (right).

In the afternoon ceremony, we celebrated the success stories from the School of Law and Liverpool Business School.

A number of members of LJMU staff were among those receiving awards at today's ceremonies. Pictured below are: Sarah Haynes (PhD in Writing), Ala Sami Al-Kafri (PhD in Computer Science) and Katie Lawrence (MA in Human Resource Management).