A GRADUATION ceremony saw students of York College gather to celebrate their achievements.

Yesterday’s event, the first of two, saw some of the 160 students hear speeches by the college’s principal, Dr Alison Birkinshaw, followed by former BBC director general, Greg Dyke.

Among those celebrating at the Royal York Hotel were sisters Mollie and Esme Dodd.

Mum of two, Mollie, 30, graduated with a BA (Hons) in 3D craft and design while Esme, 26, gained a BA (Hons) in Fashion Design.

Mollie said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed my degree and the college life. My sister has lived with me for the last year and we have bounced ideas around the house, helping and supporting each other through projects. It has been a special time in our lives.”

Esme said: “Exhibiting my final collection at the college fashion show was a real highlight for me. It feels good to have achieved my goal and it been great to do this alongside my sister.” Bob Saynor, assistant principal for Lifelong Learning and Higher Education, said: “The significant demand from students, family and friends to attend this year’s graduation ceremony is fantastic. This clearly reflects everyone’s desire to celebrate the achievements of students completing their higher education studies at York College.”

He said: “We celebrate the achievements of this year’s graduates and wish them every success in their future studies and careers.”

DEGREES awarded to York College students were as follows:

BA (Hons) Educational Leadership – Children’s Workforce.

Gillian Abbott, Judith Betts, Jacqueline Brandt, Lesley Calvert, Emma Dearlove, Sarah Fowler, Giovanna Gioiello, Lisa Havelaar, Lynne Jennings, Kathryn McGrail, Joanne Nihill, Joanna Pallister, Emma Prentice, Jessica Rowell, Holly Simms, Jane Wellock, Avril Whitehead, Sue Williams.

Foundation Degree Young Children’s Learning & Development.

Julie Bartlett, Janet Black, Caroline Braithwaite, Toni Brett, Hannah Brown, Heather Bulmer, Barbara Callow, Nicola Cooper, Ruth Cooper, Natalie Frank, Rachael Globe, Helen Greenwood, Kassandra Healey, Claire Humphrey, Vicky Ineson, Joanne Jaskowski, Claire Newton, Amanda Nutbrown, Lyndsey Slessor.

Foundation Degree Beauty, Holistic & Spa Treatments Harriet Ashman, Philippa Atkinson, Rachel Bailey, Charlotte Daniel, Kimberley Gee, Caroline Maw, Charlotte Sutcliffe, Rebecca Ward.

Foundation Degree Media Make-up & Hair Design for TV, Film & Theatre.

Rebecca Bakewell, Marie Ballest, Grace-Louise Blakeley, Charlotte Denning, Laura-Lee Elliott, Corrie Farmer, Hannah Green, Sophie Gregory, Hannah Jones, Rachel Maude, Pippa Perkins, Justyna Stawida, Rebecca Stirk.

Foundation Degree Community & Public Services.

Chelsea Austerberry, Jordan Campey, James Cooper, Fern Edwards, Stuart Fraser, Thomas Gibbons, Diane Ginty, Sam Harah, Leroy Johnson, Adam Lyon, Amelia Mann, Ashley Metcalfe, Robert Oliver, Amy Stone, Kimberley Walker.

Foundation Degree Human Resource Management.

Lisa Strickland, Catherine Wallace.

Foundation Degree Sports Therapy Jo Cowell, Lisa Fenwick, Charlotte Maxted, Liam Mould, Chloe Nolan, Amy Parker, Chloe Rankin, Chelsea Riley, Louise Steel, Sam Thompson, Danielle Wood.

Foundation Degree Electrical & Electronic Engineering.

James Cuthbert, Connor Parker, Jake Porter, James Rawlings, Michael Wilson.

HNC Construction.

Ian Baggaley, Adam Brown, Lee Burnett, Julie Chapman, Christian Colbeck, Patrick Corkery, Daniel Duffield, Michelle Ferguson, Glen Flanagan, Robert Graham, Angela Lee, Jake Thompson, Mike Todd.

BA(Hons) 3D Contemporary Crafts.

Mollie Dodd, Luke Flint, Claire Pittham, Laura Warrick, Rebecca Wilson.

BA (Hons) Graphic Design.

Lyn Bailey, Hayley Brent, Rebecca Bullement, Rachel Campbell, Matthew Cretch, Katrina Forster, John-George Harris, Sarah Haxby, Anna Ironside, Luke Portman, Stefanie Scurr, Jonathan Straughan, James Whitaker.

BA (Hons) Fashion Design.

Gemma Aldridge, Sinead Barker, Catherine Hall, Lewis Kelly, Katrina Maughan, Jordan Ness, Amy Redman, Samantha Rowley.

BA (Hons) Business Management.

David Gajdulewicz, Stuart Healy, Samantha King, Elzbieta Niedziela, Carla Scaife, Chloe Smith.

Foundation Degree Hospitality Management Maria Fusco, James Jones, Fiona Martin, Laura Nelson.

Foundation Degree Business Management.

Arslan Ali, Hayley Cuttill, Robert Flynn, Aimi Hardcastle, Tianni Hingston, Heidi Johnson, Elita Nazakova, Gift Phiri, Julie Scott, Jenny Simpson, Sarah Spence, Shelly Vaughan, Emma Walton.

Foundation Degree Fashion Design.

Esme Dodd, Charlotte Douthwaite, Jennifer Fisher, Charlotte Foster, Amelia Gillyen, Georgina Laverack, Kelly Nicholas, Jessica Pearce, Robyn Shackleton, Alannah Stone, Sarah Todd.

Foundation Degree Creative Digital Communication.

Tim Bradley, Neil Hart.

Foundation Degree Internet & Business Technologies.

Zoe Byfield, Adam Lloyd, Ian Park, Gary Raper.

Foundation Degree Internet & Business Technologies (part-time).

James Dolben, James Hart, Steven Trousdale.

Foundation Degree Multimedia Technologies.

Ben Bell, William Clift, Adam Haupt.