Classmates, friends, whānau and a few tears - UCOL Te Pūkenga gathered them all as 923 ākonga (students) celebrated their graduation over the last two days.
Across the four campuses in Manawatū, Wairarapa, Horowhenua, and Whanganui, a total of 1,329 graduates will be eligible to cross the stage, with Manawatū the first to host their ceremonies.
Among the Manawatū graduates were this year's Valedictorians - Grace Souness (for certificate and diploma programmes) and James Pringle (for degrees and post-grad). They both had something extra to celebrate, having been offered jobs before they had completed their programmes.
"I'm working for Town and Country Vets in an emergency clinic - it was one of my placements and they offered me a role before I'd even finished," says Souness, who completed her Diploma of Vet Nursing. "It's really exciting, every single day we never know what is going to come through the door, so I'm on my toes!"
Meanwhile Pringle discovered Graduate Diploma exams are far more relaxing when you've already got the job sorted. "Sellar & Sellar, the biggest accounting firm in Masterton, called me the day before my final tax exam. It felt amazing to be approached and great to have that all sewn up."
They've also both been bitten by the learning bug, and are continuing their studies part time while they work. Souness is going on to do her Bachelors of Vet Nursing, and Pringle has begun the process to become a Chartered Accountant.
When they look at their time at UCOL, one of Pringle's highlights was the people he collaborated with and building a connection with te ao Māori. "Before, it was a foreign concept to me, even though it's indigenous.
"It is hard to put into words, for those who haven't experienced the wairua (spirit) of the space, just how much of an impact UCOL's whānau room community has had on me. I began attending kapa haka, waiata and karakia with students and staff. It is such a supportive space for settling into study, and helped me begin my own journey with te ao Māori.
For Souness, it was discovering the power of motivation, not just knowledge. "Our lecturers taught us that in the field, nothing's going to be the same, or the way we expect. There's going to be challenges and setbacks that are so unpredictable you may not know what to do with yourself. It really is all about critical thinking. The main thing I take away from UCOL is it's okay not to plan everything, as long as you learn and adapt."
For Manawatū, the largest cohort was the 65 graduates who had completed their Bachelor of Nursing. Also celebrating were the first ever graduates of UCOL's Certificate in Electrical Pre-Trade Level 3 and the Certificate in Food and Beverage (Barista and Restaurant Service) Level 3.
Jasmine Groves, Operations Lead says UCOL is delighted with the success of their Manawatū Valedictorians, as well as the accomplishments of all their graduates.
"This is such a special moment for our ākonga - to have their efforts recognised and celebrate with whānau and friends all that they achieved. It can feel like an ending but it's actually the opposite. This is us celebrating the beginning of their careers, and all that they will go out and do with the skills they have learned."