Angus students celebrated a historic day at an awards ceremony in Arbroath’s Webster Theatre.
The event recognised the achievements of former students of the Dundee and Angus College Arbroath campus.
With the creation of the merged college last year, students on higher education (HE) programmes such as HNC or HND courses at the Keptie Road site were asked to choose the venue where they would like to be presented with their awards.
A substantial number voted for an Arbroath event and more than 100 people crossed the stage at Friday’s ceremony to be presented with their award by college principal Christina Potter.
“As principal of the college, it gives me great pleasure to lead this graduation ceremony and to witness first-hand the success of our students,” she said.
“Success rates for HE students at both of the former Dundee and Angus Colleges have always been well above the Scottish average.
“Today’s graduates contributed to that success rate with around 90% of all HE students completing and achieving full or partial qualifications.”
The principal praised college staff, adding: “However, the real credit must go to our students.
“Throughout the year, you have worked very hard; you have not only succeeded in your studies but have also demonstrated many other successes, both within the college and outwith in the community.
“During the last academic year, the college not only went through the challenge of merger but was also subject to rigorous, external assessment, not least a full review by Her Majesty’s Inspectors at Education Scotland.
“The findings of this review have recently been published in a full inspection report and this is available for any member of the public to view on the Education Scotland website.
“I am delighted to report that their findings confirmed that the college is, indeed, living up to the vision of leading learning and inspiring success.”
More than 300 family members and friends applauded the award winners as they accepted their certificates, with John O’Rourke, founder and publisher of Clash music magazine, the guest speaker at the ceremony.
See further coverage in Saturday’s Courier.