Teesside graduates celebrate 80 years of achievement

Over 3,000 graduates and 12,000 guests gather at Middlesbrough Town Hall to celebrate our annual academic awards ceremonies this week.

A record 12 ceremonies will take place over five days, with awards ranging from higher national diplomas to undergraduate degrees, master’s and doctorates.

This year’s graduations are particularly special. Not only do we still hold the title of University of the Year, we are also celebrating our 80th anniversary.

Teesside University’s founding institution Constantine Technical College was officially opened in 1930, evolving later in 1969 into Teesside Polytechnic.

University status was conferred in 1992 on the University of Teesside, and by 2009 a new identity as Teesside University. In 2011, the University will open a new £13m campus in Darlington.

All of this week’s graduates will be congratulated on stage by the University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Graham Henderson.

In a break with tradition, nine honorary degrees will be awarded to leading individuals during the week, two on Monday, one on Tuesday and six on Friday. The Friday honoraries receive their degrees from the University’s Chancellor, Lord Sawyer of Darlington.

Hard working graduates Professor Graham Henderson, Vice-Chancellor said: 'The whole University community is delighted that our hard-working graduates and their guests can participate in our 80th anniversary academic awards ceremonies. We recognise not only the achievements of our graduates, but also the important support they have been given by their families, partners and friends.'

All of the graduations can be watched live on the Big Screen in Centre Square, Middlesbrough. Also, the work of this year’s postgraduates from the MA Fine Art is on display to the public in the University’s new Constantine Gallery, in the reception of the University’s ten-storey Tower Block.

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