Theo presides over Solent University Graduations

As Chancellor of Solent University Theo presided over graduation ceremonies for the School of Business, Law and Communications, School of Art, Design and Fashion and the Warsash School of Maritime Science and Engineering.

Across two sunny days in Southampton, hundreds of students gathered in the Grand Hall to receive their degree certificates and celebrate their hard work and varied degrees. As Chancellor, Theo spoke to the students about their achievements and hopes for the future. He spoke about the next stage of their journey, the University Life, and how not to be afraid to go out there and try things before finding your passion. He challenged the audience to not be afraid of failures or reversals as these can only serve to help you learn lessons which will get you closer to making your dream a reality.

Addressing the audience, he said, “I would implore you to go out there and test, trial, learn, find your passion, follow your dreams.”

“Some of your plans will go swimmingly well and some will end up in the poo but when that happens, I would like you to remember, it’s just part of the learnings from your next University…….the University of Life, where, if you do nothing, nothing will ever go wrong and you will achieve absolutely nothing.

But if you’re brave and have the passion and the desire to succeed like you have done here at Solent University, I promise you, you will be able to dust yourself down and go again with positive results…as long as you maintain the passion and the desire to be the best you can possibly be.”

Theo recognised the importance of the support families, tutors and friends play in getting to the point of graduation and was the first person to officially address the students as graduates.

As the presider of the ceremony it was his job to officially close the ceremony and lead the procession, as the students went on to the University of Life!