First higher education students graduate from Walsall College
The first set of higher education students from Walsall College paraded to the town hall in their caps and gowns as they celebrated their graduation.
The college started offering full degree level courses last year after teaming up with Birmingham City University.
More than 100 students brought Walsall town centre to a standstill during the parade as Town Crier Cyril Richardson led the procession and shouted about their success on higher education courses.
More than 450 guests attended the graduation ceremony, including students, family and friends and lecturers.
The students received certificates for success on courses such as business, computing, professional development, creative industries, health and public services and hospitality management.
Jatinder Sharma OBE, Walsall College's principal and chief executive, said: "The 2015 higher education graduation ceremony represented a celebration of our highest achieving students to date and they are now role models within their communities as well as being Walsall College graduates.
"Our students have achieved what they set out to accomplish and should be extremely proud of their achievements.
"I speak on behalf of everybody when I wish them every success in the future.
"Our overriding ambition is to give students the best possible platform from which to develop successful careers – both now and well into the future."
In a change to tradition, this year's guest speaker was graduating student, Damian Addis, who achieved his HND in Photography at the ceremony.
He gave an inspiring talk to his fellow students about his experience studying HE at the college and how it has helped him to launch his career as a photographer, and develop his portfolio which now lists corporate clients including Habitat and Homebase.
The occasion was rounded off with afternoon tea and live music at the college's main Wisemore Campus.
