Every Gown has a Story
Suzie Cassels
There was a real sense of occasion at Ayrshire College’s Kilmarnock Campus as graduates gathered to celebrate their hard work, determination and achievement. Hosting graduation for the first time, the campus welcomed the Class of 2026 across three ceremonies on 1st and 2nd October, bringing together families, friends, staff and guests for a celebration to remember.
Dressed in academic gowns, posing for photographs and sharing the moment with those who had supported them along the way, graduates made the most of their time in the spotlight. Proud smiles, cheers and applause marked an occasion that gave everyone a chance to pause, enjoy the moment and recognise how far they had come.
Behind every gown is a story. For some, college was the first step towards a chosen career. For others, it offered the opportunity to change direction, develop new skills or rediscover an interest that had been waiting for the right moment. Reaching graduation meant balancing assignments and assessments with work, family commitments and the demands of daily life. The celebrations recognised all that effort, alongside the qualifications achieved.
Holding the ceremonies on campus gave the occasion a personal connection. The college environment where many graduates had developed their skills, built friendships and grown in confidence became the setting for celebrating their success. Familiar surroundings took on a different purpose as students returned to share their achievement with the people who mattered most.
The graduates of 2026 leave Ayrshire College with a diverse range of skills, experiences and ambitions. Some will continue their studies at university, while others will enter employment or take the next step in their professional development. Their destinations may differ, but each has an achievement to build on.
Among those celebrated was Overall Student of the Year, Aurelija Tulauskaite. Having completed her HNC in Mechatronics, she has progressed to study Electronic and Electrical Engineering at the University of Strathclyde. Her next step shows how a college qualification can lay the foundations for a career in engineering.
While graduates took centre stage, the occasion was also a celebration of the community around them. Families and friends shared in the success they had helped support, while lecturers and support staff saw students they had worked alongside reach an important milestone. Their encouragement, guidance and belief were part of the stories being celebrated.
As the ceremonies drew to a close, attention turned to photographs, congratulations and conversations about what comes next. There would be new challenges ahead, but first there was time to enjoy an achievement earned through hard work, and to celebrate it together.
