Ceremony Stories
Rekindling emotions:
Open University graduates come from all walks of life and all age groups but it has been very noticeable, that OU graduates were getting younger. Maybe not quite as young as one young lady aged 18 months, completely unaware of the significance of her clothing, who was wearing the full outfit, dutifully made for her by her Spanish grandmother. Grandmother, still living in Spain had made this outfit, without a pattern, using only Open University pictures as a surprise for the family. It was however her English daughter-in-law (the little girl's mother), who officially had earned the right to wear a gown but all the family were equally proud as they posed for photos at the Portsmouth degree ceremony.
Just how special degree ceremonies are to each and every graduate and the symbolism and empathy that wearing that gown brings, is well understood by AOUG members who have been attending OU degree ceremonies at the invitation of the Open University since 1987 (the year before AOUG officially formed) to congratulate new graduates and invite them to join AOUG. In the first ten years of our existence, membership of AOUG was even encouraged during the ceremony - in 1998 Sir John Daniel, the then Vice Chancellor, said, "...I hope today's graduates will continue your links with the OU after graduation. You can do that in one way by joining the Association of Open University Graduates..." Sir John always valued the work we did and still does, as you will see from the fact that he has agreed to travel from his home in Vancover to give our AOUG Foundation lecture for this our celebration year.
So even after all these years, representing AOUG at degree ceremonies is a special honour that members are keen to relate. Here are just a few of the reports we received:
Harrogate (07)
AOUG helpers arrived early in Harrogate to set up the AOUG stand so that Carol Ann Churm and Maureen Bowman (Executive Representative for Yorkshire), were on hand to talk to the new graduates and give out the AOUG literature. Lesley Sleigh arrived to help when Maureen, having received the Regional Director's personal invitation, went to attend the VIP lunch which she reported, was excellent. Two members from Yorkshire, Avril Woods and Ginny Feeney, who had never processed before were representing AOUG. These ladies had been especially nominated for all their hard work over the years running the Yorkshire walking group. Maureen reported that she found the procession part of the proceedings very moving as they walked in time to stirring music onto the platform. She felt it was a great honour to represent AOUG at the ceremony and to applaud the new graduates.
Cardiff (10)
The Cardiff degree ceremony was a high powered affair. Lord Puttnam, our Chancellor, presided and as well as Paul Murphy, Secretary of State for Wales. The platform party included Jean Hertzog, (our then Chairman) and AOUG member, Phillip Thomas. An honorary degree was bestowed on Dame Fiona Reynolds, Director of the National Trust. Howard Reeve was most grateful for the help of AOUG members Mike Eley and Graham Francis in staffing the Association stand and for their assistance, by offering to take graduates photos, in ensuring that the AOUG banner figured in many family photographs.
Gateshead (09)
New graduates were celebrating at the Sage in Gateshead. AOUG Vice- Chairman, David Ogilvie processed with Violet Rook (Executive Representative for the North). It was another special occasion presided over by Lord Puttnam which was made even more special for Violet who reports that she and David were able to spend some time in conversation with the honorary graduate Sir Mark Tulley. Dorothy Ford and Violet had previously spent the morning congratulating graduates and handing out AOUG literature.
Birmingham (04)
The degree ceremony in Birmingham at the Birmingham Symphony Hall with sessions in both the morning and the afternoon. Mohammad Motawalla, (Executive Representative for the West Midlands), reported that it was wonderful to see many graduands with their families and friends attending the degree ceremony on this memorable day and to observe distinguished guests, Ms. Kate Humble, Dr John Drysdale and Mr Mike Lowndes laureate with the Honorary Doctor degrees from the Open University. Mohammad who had graduated in 1995, was especially pleased to be present as he had attended his degree ceremony in this same Symphony Hall. He feels it was a splendid experience to volunteer at this degree ceremony and the best opportunity to congratulate graduands for their successes.
Glasgow (11)
Gabrielle McKenzie (Past Executive Representative for Scotland) relates that one of the pleasures and privileges of being an AOUG Executive Representative is, at the invitation of Peter Syme, the Director of the Open University in Scotland, to process at these ceremonies and remember one's own happy day. She reminds us how the Director's luncheon affords the opportunity of meeting allsorts of interesting people associated with the Open University in their differing ways.
So working at degree ceremonies may be hard work: - at the end of the day, your back may ache and your feet may throb, - but your heart and mind is once more exhilarated and you are proud to be an voluntary ambassador for the OU.
So OU graduates may be getting younger but enthusiasm and passion for the OU spans all age groups so let us hope that the younger graduates will see AOUG as way to share that enthusiasm and fellowship and help to keep AOUG's support for the OU alive.