AWARDS CEREMONY 2024
Sunday 14 July at 11 am
Newbold College, Salisbury Hall
MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Dear Graduates
Congratulations on the successful completion of your study at Newbold College of Higher Education. Whether or not you attended the celebration two days ago at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David in Lampeter, this morning’s special ceremony celebrates these achievements amongst the wider Newbold community. As you mark the transition from graduand to graduate within your academic discipline, I wish you every success as enter the world of work. For those continuing their studies at Newbold, we all look forward to welcoming you back in September.
Today we acknowledge the significant work you have done to complete the requirements for your awards. As part of the celebration of this achievement, I am sure we will all pause to give thanks to God for his leading and guidance throughout your studies, as well as to thank the many people who have supported you on this journey. I also want to acknowledge the role and impact of both the academic and professional services staff throughout your time at Newbold.
Newbold has given you the opportunity to study, socialise and worship with people from so many different cultural backgrounds. This diverse experience has enriched your life and forged life-long friendships.
You now joining the growing number of alumni of Newbold College of Higher Education. We ask that you continue to represent the values of your alma mater to the best of your ability wherever you are and encourage others to come and study here. When thinking about projects to support, remember Newbold – whether it is supporting students or investing in campus projects.
As you leave this place, I challenge you to continue to grow spiritually in a vibrant relationship with Jesus Christ; to ask questions and seek ‘truth’; to think for yourselves; to develop your understanding of life, learning and civic responsibility; to engage constructively and respectfully with all in our diverse world; and wherever life leads you, to be of service to others for God’s glory.
Wishing you God’s richest blessings
Dr Stephen J Currow
ABOUT NEWBOLD COLLEGE OF HIGHER EDUCATION
For more than 120 years, Newbold has provided a holistic approach for its students by addressing their physical, emotional, social, spiritual, and intellectual needs. Although Newbold has recently adapted its mode of delivery to a synchronous hybrid approach, the Newbold experience is best enjoyed on our physical campus. This enables students to have easy access to lectures, sports activities, and diverse opportunities for spiritual growth, social and emotional well-being. Students appreciate the holistic ways of teaching through interactive and personal approaches. Staff make themselves available outside the classroom to provide the additional support to students as part of their holistic educational experience. Alumni testify to the benefits of campus community, where students and staff build relationships and safely share their ideas while students prepare for ministry to the church and the wider society.
Newbold aspires to be the Seventhday Adventist Christian higher education institution of choice in Europe. To do so, we invite every member of our learning community to grow a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to demonstrate personal integrity and respect to the cultural differences of other people. Additionally, we encourage everyone to serve the church and society in ways that are consistent with the worldwide mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Moreover, we challenge people to think and to explore life, learning, teaching, and civic responsibilities from a Christian viewpoint. We also encourage students and staff to realise their full potential and to embrace a balanced lifestyle, with time for intellectual development, mental health, spiritual growth, physical activity, as well as social and cultural enrichment.
Thank you for partnering with us in the important work of Newbold College of Higher Education.
ABOUT OUR GUEST SPEAKER
Dr Paul W Thompson
Dr Paul Thompson has an impressive educational background. He holds an MBA from Henley Business School, an M.Sc. in Management Research, a Doctorate in Business Administration from the University of Reading, an MPhil in Leadership and Organisational Change, and a PhD in Leadership and Organisational Change from Walden University. In 2023, he earned an MSc in Evidence-based Health Care from Oxford University, Kellogg College, where he researched COVID-19 and its effect on minorities. This has led to further research at the University of Leicester.
Dr Thompson’s academic contributions and feature writing testify to his commitment to knowledge sharing. He has published 14 academic articles in peer-reviewed journals, exploring diverse topics such as debt and psychology, well-being, the impact of COVID-19 on the global majority, and consumer debt and its relationship to immigrants. His regular feature writing in the Messenger further underscores his dedication to sharing knowledge with the academic and professional community.
Dr Thompson’s professional journey is a testament to his leadership and adaptability. He served as the Senior Credit Manager in London at BT, leading a team of 250 employees and managing £1.3 billion of BT’s receivables. After leaving BT, he demonstrated adaptability by establishing his own consultancy in the credit industry and later diversifying into healthcare, commercial, and private real estate businesses, showcasing his entrepreneurial spirit and ability to lead in different sectors.
Paul has impressive professional affiliations, including being a Chartered Manager, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Credit Management, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management, and a Fellow of the Institute of Directors. He is also a Master Course speaker for the Chartered Institute of Management in England and Wales.
Paul and his family are committed to serving God’s purpose wherever they are called. He and his wife are ordained elders, and their children and spouses are very intentional about serving the church. Their latest blessing is Clara, born last year, and Paul and Evreth adore their only grandchild.
AWARDS
Sunday 14 July 2024
Processional (audience to remain seated)
Welcome and Introduction
Ms Serena Santona, Academic Registrar
Invocation
Pr Marcel Ghioalda, Senior Pastor, Newbold Church
Principal’s Remarks
Dr Stephen Currow, Principal
Greetings from the Mayor Councillor Jenny Penfold, The Mayor of the Borough of Bracknell Forest
Musical Item
Introduction of Guest Speaker
Dr Daniel Duda, Chair NCHE Board
Address to the Graduating Students
Dr Paul Thompson, Governor/Entrepreneur
CEREMONY
11:00 am, Salisbury Hall
Presentation of the Graduating Students
Dr Stephen Currow, Principal
Dr Daniel Duda, Chair of Governing Body
Ms Serena Santona, Academic Registrar
Dr Laszlo Gallusz, Head of Centre for Ministry and Mission
Charge of the Graduating Students
Dr Kayle de Waal, Governor/TED Education Director
Student Response
Anđela Bogdanović, Graduate Collection
Victoria Afolayan, Graduate
Hymn - Be Thou My Vision
Benediction
Dr Daniel Duda, Chair of the Governing Body
Recessional
UNIVERSITY OF WALES
in partnership with Newbold
Master of Arts in Theology
Acheampong, Emmanuel Osei Asare, Linda
Ashalley, Moses (Merit)
Beočanin, Predrag
Fajardo Cemo, Luis Rafael
George, Steven (Merit)
Habib, Adil
Merkis, Mariusz Mateusz Morris, Fitzroy Anthony
Njoku, Ugochukwu Hope
Ofei, Lawrence Mensah (Merit) Simeonov, Radoy Tsonev
Teixeira, Stanley (Merit)
Thunem, Kristoffer Robin (Distinction)
Postgraduate Diploma in Theology
Nyajeri, Gustav (Merit)
Postgraduate Certificate in Mission
Prgonjić, Božidar (Merit)
Ofei, Lawrence Mensah Simeonov, Radoy Tsonev
TRINITY SAINT DAVID
College of Higher Education
Graduate Diploma in Biblical and Pastoral Studies
Acheampong, Addai
Afolayan, Victoria Oluyemisi (Distinction)
Colins Silva, João Gabriel
Darko, Obed Kumi
Erfurt, Wilhelm
Guasi Simwawa, Douglas (Merit)
McKenzie, Ronielia (Distinction)
Muwowo, Lumbani (Merit)
Nyarko, Ophelia (Merit)
Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Biblical and Pastoral Studies
Best, Adam Arnold (2.1)
Bogdanović, Anđela (2.2)
Darkwah, Manoah Attah
Dixon, Leslie Anthony (2.1)
Frood, Jake Martin (2.1)
Merrill, Jordan Jay (2.1)
Certificate of Higher Education
Williams, Andrew
BE THOU MY VISION
Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart; Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art; Thou my best thought, by day or by night; Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.
Be Thou my wisdom, and Thou my true Word; I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord; Thou my great Father and I, Thy true Son; Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.
Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise; Thou mine inheritance, now and always; Thou and Thou only, first in my heart; High King of heaven, my treasure Thou art.
High King of heaven, when vict’ry is won; May I reach heaven’s joy, O bright heaven’s Sun! Heart of my own heart, whatever befall; Still be my vision, O Ruler of all.
Words from The Poem Book of the Gael, edited by Eleanor Hull, by permission of the Editor’s Estate and Chatto & Windus
Special thanks to Edit Laszlone Liebhardt for the beautiful flower arrangements; to Asun Olivan, the official photographer; the Food Services staff for the refreshments; to all musicians and those who have worked so hard behind the scenes.
STUDENT HARDSHIP FUND
At Newbold, we understand the importance of financial support through scholarships, especially when unexpected events impact students’ financial lives. That is why we are committed to helping students who find themselves facing financial difficulties.
Today, we invite you to be part of maintaining the College’s Student Hardship Fund. Your contribution will directly assist students in need, enabling them to overcome financial obstacles and achieve their educational goals at Newbold College.
To donate, simply scan the QR code provided and make a difference in a student’s life.
If you didn’t come prepared, don’t worry! Our finance office is here to help you contribute to this meaningful fund. Join us in empowering students and shaping their educational future
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