Samantha Fannin (pictured above) continued with her studies and community placements throughout this traumatic period, and while being the main carer for her mother, to achieve a distinction in the Advanced Diploma in Mental Health Nursing (registered nurse) course.

At today’s ceremony, the last of four held in Luton’s St Mary’s Church to mark the achievements of 980 graduates, 37-year-old Samantha was presented with the Dean’s Prize for her remarkable achievements.

The humble Luton resident, who is now aiming to work with prisoners with mental health issues, said: “It’s been a very tough two years, I put my entire life on hold, and looking back even I don’t know how I did it. But, the University is incredibly geared up to support people in difficult circumstances like myself, and my son and cousin have supported me throughout too. Without all of the support I wouldn’t have been able to do it.

“Throughout though I pictured today, and me walking out that church with my gown on, and that kept me going. I also wanted to be able to give my children an example to look up to and I was doubly focused on completing this course as I had to withdraw from a midwifery course here 10 years ago when my father died.

“Plus the fact I love working in mental health. I have an incredible passion for it, there is history of it with my family and I have always wanted to be in a position to care for and help others.

“My ambition for the future is to simply be able to say I’ve helped change someone’s life for the better.”

The graduation ceremonies this week celebrate the achievements of graduates who studied courses in the faculties of Creative Arts, Technologies & Science; Education & Sport; Health & Social Sciences, and in the University of Bedfordshire Business School.

The Guest of Honour for the ceremonies on Friday was the Chief Nurse at Luton & Dunstable University Hospital, Patricia Reid, who spoke to the students about her career and being a highly experienced nurse, leader and senior manager with extensive NHS experience.

Alongside Samantha, other graduates to receive special awards included Adult Nursing graduate Sarah Weight (pictured above), who received a Dean’s Prize for her incredible three years in which her extra-curricular achievements included being a part of a nursing panel on the Keogh Mortality Review.

Another student to receive an award was former captain in the Pakistan Army Shahrukh Ali, who was presented with the Sir Ian Dixon Prize for achieving the highest grade point average in his cohort.

The postgraduate Business Administration graduate said: “Being in the army and having worked alongside the British and US armies in Afghanistan, I gained many leadership skills. I saw a lot of action in the army and also trained, and worked, as a helicopter pilot.

“Studying at Bedfordshire has been brilliant; the leadership skills I already possessed have been enhanced and I have gained much knowledge about the business world.”

Celebrating the students’ achievements and congratulating them Vice Chancellor Bill Rammell said to the graduates: “Today is about recognising the hard work you have all done. It is about acknowledging and applauding those of you who have overcome obstacles, who have persevered over three long years or more, and those who have pushed yourselves to achieve your goals.

• Further coverage of the graduations will be featured in the May edition of the University's Life magazine.
• For more information, contact the press office on 01582 743499.
• A gallery of further photos from the graduation ceremonies this week will be published at a later date.