Graduation 2025

Published: Mon 27 October, 2025

Photograph of the 2025 Graduation group standing outside a building. Taken from an elevated position

Borders College recently celebrated its Graduation 2025 ceremony, honouring the exceptional achievements of its students.

The much-anticipated event took place this month at the Borders Events Centre in Kelso. Having worked incredibly hard to complete their courses, it was time to recognise and celebrate the accomplishments and successes of everyone over the last year.

As part of the ceremony, the Honorary Fellowship of the College was awarded this year to Bruce Aitchison. A coach, wellbeing advocate, public speaker, and celebrant, Bruce is perhaps best known as the founder of Happiness is Egg Shaped, a platform promoting positivity through sport with a large online following and successful podcast.

This year’s ceremony was made possible by the kind donations of the College’s sponsors, including Borders Competitions, Borders Buses, Morrison Construction, Eildon Housing, Finlaysons Contracts, Muirhall Energy and St Boswells Fuels Ltd.

 

You can view the live recording of the ceremony below.

The 2025 Borders College Graduation Ceremony
Photograph of the graduation ceremony hall with guests and graduates sitting at round tables. Stage pictured in the background.

Chair of the Borders College Regional Board, Ray McCowan, welcomed graduates and guests, saying:

“Graduation is the highlight of the Borders College calendar — a day when we come together to celebrate the hard work, commitment, and success of our students. It’s incredibly rewarding for staff and board members to see how far our learners have come — from their first days at college to becoming confident, capable individuals ready to take on the world.”

“Our graduates have shown great determination, balancing studies with work and life commitments, and they have truly earned their achievements. Today is not just a graduation — it’s a celebration. Enjoy every moment, make some noise for our graduates, and take pride in all you’ve accomplished. You made it happen!”

Three graduates pictured in a group photo wearing graduation gowns.

College Principal and CEO, Pete Smith, congratulated the graduates, saying:

“At Borders College, we are proud to empower our students to shape their own futures and contribute to a stronger, more sustainable Borders region. Today’s success stories reflect the hard work of our students, the support of their families, and the commitment of our staff. 

Whatever path our graduates take next — employment, further study, or new adventures — they do so as part of the Borders College community, carrying forward the values of learning, growth and excellence. This is their moment, and they have earned it.”

Pete also presented this year’s Honorary Fellowship to Bruce Aitchison.

Bruce is a prominent figure in Scottish rugby and education, known for his energy, positivity, and commitment to wellbeing and community. A former Scotland youth rugby player, PE teacher, and Deputy Head, he founded Happiness is Egg Shaped. 

Raised in Stow, Bruce’s leadership and passion for rugby began early, culminating in a Scottish Schools Cup win as Galashiels Academy captain. Inspired by his mentors, he built a career dedicated to teaching, coaching, and mental health advocacy. 

Now also a celebrant and director at Effectivenow, Bruce supports numerous charities, including the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation and Cash for Kids, continuing to champion inclusion, wellbeing, and community through sport.

The Graduation was a brilliant way to highlight the end of an amazing chapter in the life of the students, and the College was delighted to see everyone enjoying their day.

This year’s ceremony saw the Bill Wilkie Memorial Award being presented to student Malina Corrin. Malina demonstrated exceptional qualities in academic and personal growth within the STEM and Sustainable Construction area. The award was presented by Nile Istephan, Chief Executive of Eildon Housing.

Awards were also presented to Christopher Bowern, recipient of the Stuart Wilkie Memorial Trophy, and Kian Muir, who received the Scottish Motor Trade Association (SMTA) Award.

 

Ray McCowan added:

“Today’s ceremony is rightly a celebration about the successes and achievement of our graduates. Today’s graduates join thousands of graduates from previous years who have built successful careers and grown successful businesses through what they have achieved at Borders College.

 "We are proud to be a local college whose primary purpose is to serve the Borders Community. No one needs to leave the Borders to get a best-in-class learning experience. Our student satisfaction rates, and student achievement rates are amongst the highest in Scotland and continue to improve every year, with this year's among our best. We are delighted about the achievements of today’s graduates and the success they bring to the college too.”

Official photograph of Chair of the Borders College Regional Board Ray McCowan, Honorary Fellow Bruce Aitchison, and Borders College Principal and CEO Pete Smith. All are pictured standing in front of a blue backdrop.

Pictured above, from left to right, are Chair of the Borders College Regional Board Ray McCowan, Honorary Fellow Bruce Aitchison, and Borders College Principal and CEO Pete Smith.

Graduation Photos

View the full range of images from the Graduation 25 Ceremony on Facebook here.

Photos
A student being presented his award by a Borders College staff member on stage.

The Bill Wilkie Award

The Bill Wilkie MBE Award for construction and engineering goes to Malina Corrin.

Read more (external website)
Photo showing a student being presented an award on stag at a graduation ceremony.

Graduates from this year’s ceremony are listed in their department areas below:

Annaleigh Breau - HND Animal Care

Lara Santos - HND Animal Care

Tyler-Mai Stanley - HND Animal Care

Molly Valentine - HND Animal Care

Connie Brown - HNC Animal Care

Kara Doogan - HNC Animal Care

Abigail Picken - HNC Animal Care

Karla Purves - HNC Animal Care

Skaiste Urbonaviciute - HNC Animal Care

Rachael Walker - HNC Animal Care

Ruairidh Peace - HNC Electrical Engineering

Christopher Bowern - Diploma in Light Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Principles at SCQF Level 7

Kian Muir - Diploma in Light Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Principles at SCQF Level 7

Andries Fourie - PDA Strategic Leadership

Rayna Tuft - SVQ in Care Services Leadership and Management Level 4

Michelle Beattie - SVQ in Social Services (Children and Young People) Level 4

Eman Abdullah - SVQ in Social Services (Children and Young People) Level 3

Sophie Aitchison - SVQ in Social Services (Children and Young People) Level 3

Bence Csatho-Wilson - SVQ in Social Services (Children and Young People) Level 3

Maddison Elliot - SVQ in Social Services (Children and Young People) Level 3

Leanne Hermiston - SVQ in Social Services (Children and Young People) Level 3

Laura Marshall - SVQ in Social Services (Children and Young People) Level 3

Grace Martin - SVQ in Social Services (Children and Young People) Level 3

Sophie Redpath - SVQ in Social Services (Children and Young People) Level 3

Elizabeth Robertson - SVQ in Social Services (Children and Young People) Level 3

Myah Scheibe - SVQ in Social Services (Children and Young People) Level 3

Rebecca Scott - SVQ in Social Services (Children and Young People) Level 3

Rebekah Sherratt - SVQ in Social Services (Children and Young People) Level 3

Ava Short - SVQ in Social Services (Children and Young People) Level 3

Abby Tweedy - SVQ in Social Services (Children and Young People) Level 3

Katie Watson - SVQ in Social Services (Children and Young People) Level 3

Inga Arlauskiene - SVQ in Social Services and Healthcare Level 4

Billy Fowler - SVQ in Social Services and Healthcare Level 4

Shari Watson - SVQ in Social Services and Healthcare Level 4

Caroline Brown - SVQ in Social Services and Healthcare Level 3

Michelle Craig - SVQ in Social Services and Healthcare Level 3

Amanda Dawson-Stevens - SVQ in Social Services and Healthcare Level 3

Larissa Drum - SVQ in Social Services and Healthcare Level 3

Carole Haggarty - SVQ in Social Services and Healthcare Level 3

Sheena Hirst - SVQ in Social Services and Healthcare Level 3

Pauline MacGowan - SVQ in Social Services and Healthcare Level 3

Danielle Simpson - SVQ in Social Services and Healthcare Level 3

Annie Swan - SVQ in Social Services and Healthcare Level 3

Christine Temple - SVQ in Social Services and Healthcare Level 3

Fiona Brown - SVQ in Healthcare Support (Clinical) Level 3

Jacqueline Dowds - SVQ in Healthcare Support (Clinical) Level 3

Nathaniel Hamilton - SVQ in Healthcare Support (Clinical) Level 3

Amy Hopkinson - SVQ in Healthcare Support (Clinical) Level 3

Summer McGeachan - SVQ in Healthcare Support (Clinical) Level 3

Heather McLeod - SVQ in Management Level 3

Rosemarion Dalgliesh - HNC Childhood Practice

Jodi Darling - HNC Childhood Practice

Julia Dodds - HNC Childhood Practice

Chloe Green - HNC Childhood Practice

Brodie Jeffrey - HNC Childhood Practice

Kady Lees  - HNC Childhood Practice

Kimberly Mann - HNC Childhood Practice

Zoe Pearce - HNC Childhood Practice

Alexandra Daly - HNC Healthcare Practice

Alana Galloway - HNC Social Services

Joanne Gilbertson - HNC Social Services

Marcin Kowalewczany - HNC Social Services

Scarlett Crossan Brown - HND Sports Coaching and Development

Abigail Hinnigan - HND Business

Kriss Miller - HND Business

Melissa Paterson - HND Business

Murrin Kay West - HND Business

Klaudia Lasak - HNC Business

Kyle Cheyne - HNC Business

Olivia Patterson - HNC Business

Joshua Hastings - HNC Cyber Security

Leanne Minto - PDA Teaching Practice in Scotland's Colleges

Emily Smith - PDA Teaching Practice in Scotland's Colleges

Claire Ritchie - Teaching Qualification (Further Education)

Ryan Wilkinson - MA (Hons) in Business Management

Graduation sponsors screen

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