Triple celebration for trio of sisters celebrating graduation

It was a triple celebration for three sisters who all proudly wore their Teesside University graduation gowns on the same day.

Catherine Smurthwaite, Lucy Smurthwaite and Amy Tassel, all from Stockton, were all able to celebrate their graduation together, after the University’s 2020 ceremonies were put on hold due to restrictions during the pandemic.

Catherine, 31, graduated from the MSc Health Psychology. She is currently working as a wellbeing responder in the University’s Student and Library Services.

She said: “It has been amazing to be able to share my graduation day with my sisters and to be able to go through the whole process with them.”

Catherine added: “After completing my undergraduate degree at Teesside, I realised I wanted to go on to do a masters in a psychological field, to gain more knowledge and give me better options for the future.

“I work with a team at the University which helps to offer support and monitor Covid-19 among the university’s student population. I am also working with the Student Futures team on the 2022 summer internships.

“The University has offered me both opportunity and opened doors for me. I have met people who have become firm friends for life.

“I’ve learned so much and it has given me more to think about in terms of what I want to do with the future.

“My advice to anyone thinking of studying at Teesside University would be to just go for it. The people you will meet will be amazing.”

Lucy, 23, who graduated from the MA Creative Writing, works alongside Catherine as a wellbeing responder and also helps the disabilities and mental health team.

She said: “It’s wonderful to be able to graduate, but to be able to graduate as the same day as my sisters is extra special. It’s been amazing. I am so proud of them.”

She added: “After completing a degree in computer games animation, I wanted to do creative writing, so I had all skills to help me in my chosen industry. I have always wanted to pursue writing along with games and the tutors gave me a lot of confidence in my writing ability.

“Teesside University has offered me freedom, opportunities and a chance to be creative. The wide range of societies available is brilliant and I’ve been able to make lifelong friends by being part of these.”

Amy, 28, from Stockton, who graduated from the BSc (Hons) Forensic Psychology, said: “I am mum to a four-year-old and a newborn baby and I know that through the University’s Student Futures department that I have a support network, ready for when I decide my next move.”

She added: “I decided to study at Teesside due to the courses available and also as it was close to home, to offer a good work and family life balance.

“The course really stood out to me, as it was something that I could see myself doing in the long term. The practical sessions run as part of the course were very insightful and a source of enjoyment, especially being in the mock court room.”

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