Student Excellence Awards Presented at Downpatrick Campus

Over 40 students were recognised at SERC’s annual Student Excellence Awards for students attending the Downpatrick Campus at a special event attended by over 300 guests.

The ceremony was hosted by Heather McKee, Director of Strategic Planning, Quality and Support and Paul Walsh, Campus Manager (Learning Support and Pastoral Care) and  Awards were presented by Karen Fraser, SERC Board of Governors and special guest speaker, Daniel Murdock, a past student of SERCs Foundation Degree in International Hospitality at the Downpatrick Campus and Ulster University where he completed a BSc (Hons) in International Hospitality Management.   Daniel spoke about how his  qualifications and work experience persuaded him that he had the entrepreneurial spirit and drive to become the owner and manager of 11A Café in Crossgar.  He said, “Following graduation, I managed Henderson’s Retail first ever sit in café for a year and I loved it.   I have always wanted to be my own boss, making the decisions and doing things my own way.   When the chance came to open up my own café, I knew I had the qualifications, skills and experience to make it work and am proud to say I am now celebrating our first year in business.   What started out as a one man show, ie me, is now a thriving business which is providing employment and has a regular clientele both for the café and outside catering.

He added, “My advice to anyone thinking of setting up their own business is to make sure you have the skills and passion to do everything.   The hours are long, but it is worth it.   You will be the boss; you get to make the decisions and you alone are responsible for everything.   It is a steep learning curve, but I am glad that I took the decision to set up 11A Café and am looking forward to developing the business over the coming years.” Twenty-six (26) Awards were presented to students from a range of programmes for Students, Apprentices and Trainees of the Year and 2 were presented to local businesses, Hair Graduates and Quinn Piling for Student Placement Provider.   A further 11 Excellence Awards were presented to students for their Commitment to Learning in the Face of Challenge, Commitment to Enhancing the Student Experience and Excellence in Project Work.  

The final Award was for Excellence in Entrepreneurship.    The winner of the Award, Jessica Kent, a student on the Level 3 Extended Diploma in Animal Management, was also presented with the Geraldine Boden Perpetual Enterprise Cup by Cara and Jenna Boden, daughters of the late Geraldine Boden who worked at SERC as Enterprise Manager before she sadly passed away in 2016.   The College has worked closely with the Boden family to establish the Geraldine Boden Student Enterprise Fund which will provide some support for students as they turn their business ideas into live business ventures.  One aspect of the Fund is the awarding of an Excellence Award for Entrepreneurship.

Paul Walsh, Downpatrick Campus Manager, said, “I have the best job in the College.   As Campus Manager, I get to meet every single student that comes through our doors in September in this very hall.  I see them develop over the course of the year, from shy young people, finding their feet, becoming more independent, to busy, engaged students who are working towards their goals and realising their ambitions.   It is a pleasure to see you all here this evening to recognise and celebrate your success.”

Ken Webb, Principal and Chief Executive of SERC said, “The Awards are closely aligned to the values of SERC and are presented to students nominated by their Course Tutors from across a range of courses, training programmes and apprenticeships from Construction to Animal Management, IT to Performing Arts, Professional Baking to Security and Alarm Systems.     They recognise students who have overcome educational barriers, demonstrated an impressive commitment to learning or have shown excellence in entrepreneurship or project work.  We also take this opportunity to recognise local businesses who have shown their commitment to supporting the learning experience at SERC, both for our students as well as upskilling and developing their staff through courses, some of which are bespoke for the sector.

He added, “I would like to congratulate the students and businesses who have received Excellence Awards.   The talents of our students never cease to amaze me, and it is important that we recognise all that they have achieved and encourage them in all that is possible for themselves in the future.”   

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