This was originally posted on Facebook, but I thought it worthwhile to immortalise it here as well. 😂
Eleven years ago in the summer of 2010 Alice started on her University journey – we visited Keele, Swansea, Sussex, Norwich and Leicester (I think) – little suspecting just how long and far this journey was going to be – not just geographically, but also physically and mentally. An ill-health enforced ending of her schooling before she could complete her A levels meant that the next leg had to be postponed for a few years.
By 2014, Alice was feeling up to “trying again” and undertook an access course at Bournemouth and Poole College and we started off round the country again – Nottingham, Hull, Sussex, Leicester and Kent were the chosen destinations this time.
It was quickly clear that the University of Nottingham was her favourite option and she successfully enrolled there to pursue a degree in American and Canadian Literature, History and Culture. There have been plenty of hurdles put in her path along the way, but the University has been very supportive and understanding of the issues facing Alice. She also enjoyed the accessible studio accommodation at Broadgate Park – but perhaps not so much the walk uphill to her classes.
Today marks the end of that journey which not only took her to Nottingham but also to the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse for a couple of terms – a great opportunity to experience living and studying in a foreign country and to see and sample the history and culture at first hand. Of course, like so many others over the last couple of years a lot of studying has been done from home.
So the dissertation is done with; there are no more essays; no more seminars; no more trips to the Uni library (or the Broadgate Park laundry); no more trips on the tram into Nottingham; no more “how can we get all that in the car”!!; no more midnight chats showing me what was on the menu in La Crosse; and no more curries from Gurkha Express.
Instead we have Alice McConnell BA (Hons) and she has graduated – not in a full blown ceremony with everyone in caps and gowns, but rather in a “do-it-yourself” graduation at home – by email – which I think she prefers.
Well done Alice – you have excelled – all the hard work you have put in and your perseverance in managing what you could cope with given your energy and pain levels means that this degree is well earned.🎓
Comments :
Elizabeth Hay
Congratulations to Alice and you have every right to be proud parents 🎉🥳
Nicola Mercer
Congratulations to Alice.
I’m sure your support has been gratefully received along the journey too.
👩🎓 👏🏻
Joy Lawrence
Huge congratulations- this has just given me very watery eyes 💖💖🎉🎉😘😘. Very proud Auntie. Xxxx
David Gibb
Fantastic!!!! Huge congratulations Alice 🎉🎉👩🏻🎓
Maureen Mercer
Oh Alice, what wonderful news. Congratulations on finally getting your degree but perhaps even more Congratulations on your determination and perseverance over the past 12 years. We wish you every happiness in what the future holds for you. God Bless – Maureen & Martyn xx.
Julie Wheeler
Very proud of you Alice McConnell! As a fellow ME/cfs sufferer I fully understand what this will have taken. Huge congratulations to you. Sending loads of love xx❤️❤️🥰🥰
George R McConnell
Julie – thanks – as you say you perhaps understand more than many…
Julie Wheeler
George R McConnell I do indeed and it’s a great achievement. Must catch up with Alice sometime xx🥰❤️
Vincenzo Arrichiello
The most hearthfelt congratulations to Alice and all her family.
Dave Astbury
Wonderful achievement, Alice. So proud of a fellow University Of Nottingham alumnus. And a fellow BA (Hons) too. 👊❤
George R McConnell
Dave – she had a lot to live up to following in your footsteps 😂
Dave Astbury
George R McConnell Far too kind, George. I’d say that she comfortably eclipsed me. Give her my congratulations on a superb accomplishment.
George R McConnell
She has been reading all the comments – so she will see this one!
Alice McConnell
thank you!!
Stewart Reid
Well done Alice 😃
Valerie Winter
Fantastic Alice very well done . Congratulations xxx
Colin Sneade
Brilliant!
In normal times, I play in the brass group for the Graduation Ceremonies for Nottingham Uni.
Due to Covid they have been cancelled until 2022, otherwise I would have been there for Alice’s Grad!
George R McConnell
Thanks Colin – I had been looking forward to seeing you at the graduation – should have got you to record a “virtual” fanfare 😂
Terry Hudson
Great tribute from a proud dad!
Jonathan Bellshaw
Congratulations Alice.
Paul Winter
Great news, well done Alice McConnell
Emily Smith
Amazing news! Congratulations and well done Alice xx
Christine Dow
Congratulations
Liz Healing
Absolutely wonderful news. I have leaky eyes now. Congratulations Alice xx
Beverley Chalker
What a lovely tribute. It doesn’t matter how long it take but if we rise to the challenges we eventually reap the reward . X
Jo Starkes
Congratulations xx
Norry Smith
Congratulations and well done Alice 👏👏👏👏
Muriel Smith
Congratulations Alice 🎊🎊💚💚👩🏼🎓👩🏼🎓
Ivor Telfer
Great news – congratulations to all of you!
Gordon Muir
What can I say but congratulations to a very special young lady called Alice. Your journey has been a hard one but you have had many friends and relatives who have been on it with you and have been supportive to you and we think especially of your gran who would have been really chuffed today as we all are and to your parents and big sister as their love and support have shone through. Big hugs
Amy Kate
Amazing! Well done Alice McConnell ! 💜xxx
Doreen Thomas
Congratulations and very well done Alice. A fantastic achievement x
Howard J Evans
Vey best congratulations Alice.
Alison Gibb
Congratulations Alice. That is fantastic 👩🏻🎓🎉 A&M
Stuart Hay
Congratulations Alice, well done and well deserved 👩🎓👩🎓
Jane Alton
Huge congratulations Alice! Well done 👏👏🧑🏼🎓
David Alton
Congratulations
Douglas Macdonald
Congratulations 👏well done!
Hugh Brennan
Well done Alice (and proud and supportive parents). You’ve several right to be proud of such determination.
Brian Eastment
Thanks for the story George, a good read Alice and some challenge.
Reading about your degree, definitely an interesting title to write the next chapter of your life.
Brian Wright
Many, many congratulations to Alice.
Dawn Hudson
Wonderful xx
Helen Young
Every right to be proud of your daughters achievement.
Well done Alice many Congratulations 👏
Keith Price
Well done Alice.
Brian Milligan
Well done Alice. June and I are so pleased to hear this great news. Proud parents I am sure.
Alice McConnell
thank you dad & thank you everyone for such lovely comments!
i think you’ll miss the gurkha express most dad?!
Ruth Ehrly
Well done Alice McConnell. Congratulations!
Gemma Hinchliffe
Congratulations 🎉 Fantastic news xx
Colin Goodyer
This is brilliant news well done Alice and to the family for all the support and encouragement given over these years, very happy for all, Colin
Sarah Goodyer
We’ll done Alice. X
Alison Lowe
Congratulations Alice. 🎊 Wonderful news! X
Geoff Blurton
Congratulations. Wonderful achievement
Stephen Sutcliffe
George, truly inspirational story. Congratulations to your daughter for gaining her degree with all the additional challenges she faced. She should feel very proud.
Helen Blow
Brilliant! Congratulations!!!