College prize-giving ceremony
More than 200 to attend dundee ‘oscars’
Published:
DUNDEE College students will gather at The Space in Dundee tonight for the college’s annual prize-giving ceremony.
More than 200 people including family, friends and college staff will attend the event, which is billed as the college’s Oscars.
Principal Christina Potter and Dundee Lord Provost John Letford are two of the dignitaries presenting awards.
Among the prize-winners are two students who have overcome the odds to complete their courses.
Mother-of-three Judy Scott, who will receive the Iain Macmillan Memorial Prize, was forced to give up her job four years ago after being diagnosed with depression.
Having dreamed of being an artist, the Kinross resident decided to enrol in an embroidery class. She said: “I had been seriously ill with depression to such an extent that I couldn’t face anyone and was frightened of everything.
“Despite never having been so scared, the thought of coming to college won through and I was delighted to meet some amazing and lovely people.”
After gaining her City and Guilds machine embroidery, Ms Scott signed up for an HNC in textile art, and is applying to study at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design.
She said: “I honestly know that without the constant encouragement from Sheila (lecturer Sheila Mortlock) and my course tutor James Donald, I would never have achieved all of this.
“Coming to Dundee College was the best decision I could have made and has been a catalyst to the new chapter in my life.”
HND textiles student Vivienne McGregor, 25, who will receive the Tailor Trade award, was halfway through the course when her son Lochlin arrived four weeks early.
The Perth-based artist said: “I actually came back to college a few days later to borrow a sewing machine so that I could work from home though, to be honest, that proved totally impractical.
“With the support of my family and the college tutors, I decided to come back to college though Lochlin’s early arrival upset the plan a little.
“I eventually had three weeks off and my lecturers were incredibly supportive, allowing me time to catch up with my course work.”
