Vice-Chancellor calls on Teesside graduates to be ambitious and bold

Teesside University Vice-Chancellor Professor Graham Henderson CBE DL has called on graduates to be 'ambitious and bold' during his final year of academic awards.

The Vice-Chancellor was speaking to around 4,000 graduates and their families during 13 ceremonies taking place over seven days at Middlesbrough Town Hall.

Professor Henderson said: 'It's now forty years since I was first a student and I can still vividly remember my graduation. Perhaps like some of you here today, I was the first member of my family to go to University and I can’t really express how proud my parents were of me. 'It's also special for me too, as these ceremonies will be the last ones that I’ll attend before I retire from the University next year, after 40 years working in higher education, more than 16 years here at Teesside and more than 12 years as Vice-Chancellor.' He added: 'It’s been 16 of the happiest years of my life, I've seen this University, with its amazing staff and students grow to become a University of real stature and hugely respected within the higher education sector.' During his time as Vice-Chancellor, Professor Henderson has seen Teesside University: • become the first modern University to be named University of the Year • named as one of just a handful of modern universities to receive a Queen’s Anniversary Award for world class excellence • shortlisted three times in four years as the most entrepreneurial university in the UK • win national recognition as one of the top modern universities for the satisfaction of both home and international student and most recently named as The Times and The Sunday Times top University in the UK for student retention.

The University has also played a role in creating a digital business sector in the town and developing a partner network with further education, as well as taking over management and future development of the town’s international art gallery mima. Investment in the University campus also continues, creating improvements which will benefit both students and the town. Professor Henderson added: 'Being successful isn’t just about brain power, it is often as much about attitude. From today, with the right attitude, your world could be full of chances. Be ambitious, bold, courageous, determined, energetic and focused.' He also called on graduates to give thought to how proud their families and friends are, while remembering the help and support they provided. Professor Henderson added: 'For the vast majority of people, being a graduate does have a huge positive impact on their future life chances and I honestly know of very few people who look back on their time in higher education as anything other than a very positive and rewarding, part of their lives. Enjoy today and treasure it forever.'

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