Graduates urged to work hard and seize every opportunity

Honorary guests from the worlds of television, football and public health celebrated with hundreds of GCU students at the last of our winter graduation ceremonies.

Rose Reilly, the only Scottish footballer to win a World Cup, and described as Scotland's greatest ever female footballer, was made a Doctor of the University, in recognition of her outstanding contribution to women's football.

She said: "It’s just amazing for me to be here at the University getting this honour because I’m not academic, but I made my way in life with sheer determination and hard work. I had the talent but I worked very hard to get where I was so I think if everybody just works hard within themselves that’s all you can ask.”

Rose joined almost 300 students graduating from the Glasgow School for Business and Society and the Institute of University to Business, at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall.

She was also joined by executive producer Mal Young, who received a Doctor of Letters (DLitt) in recognition of his outstanding contribution to British television and his support of and commitment to GCU’s MA TV Fiction Writing students; and Professor James McGoldrick, Shadow Chair Public Health Scotland and former Convenor of SSSC, who was awarded a Doctor of Science (DSc), in recognition of his outstanding contribution to strategic human resource development.

Mal said: “We are living through a golden age of television. There’s more television being made than ever before. When I was offered the opportunity to mentor, support and encourage new writers on GCU’s MA TV Fiction Writing course, I jumped at the chance. You should always pass it on to the next generation.

“Whenever I’m pitching shows in Hollywood now, I always drop the name of Glasgow Caledonian University in there.”

Professor McGoldrick said: “When I graduated all those years ago I never thought I would be standing here today. My heartfelt congratulations and my very best wishes for all of your futures.”