QRC graduation number biggest yet

The 94 Queenstown Resort College students who graduated on Friday afternoon come together as a...
The 94 Queenstown Resort College students who graduated on Friday afternoon come together as a group for one last time. The Queenstown Memorial Hall was packed with friends and family of the classes of 2009 and 2010, and only 11 of the 105 graduates were not present to receive their diplomas. Photo by Joe Dodgshun.
The Queenstown Resort College (QRC) saw 94 hospitality management and adventure tourism management graduates receive their diplomas on Friday.

Family and friends of the graduates of the classes of 2009 and 2010 packed the Queenstown Memorial Hall.

The venue was chosen because of the number of students graduating with diplomas in hospitality management or adventure tourism management, or higher hospitality management diplomas, in association with Cesar Ritz Colleges in Switzerland.

From humble beginnings with just nine students in 2006, the QRC now has 350 students.

In his graduation address, ex-Real Journeys chief executive Dave Hawkey commended the graduates on their achievements, but urged them to keeping developing their "emotional quotient, or EQ".

"You're about to take up roles in a very people-centred industry and, on one hand, that will mean working in amazing locations and meeting people from all walks of life. Some of those people can be difficult," Mr Hawkey said.

"Sometimes you will want to throw them off the bridge before you have finished securing the bungy cord ... Your EQ will ensure you don't and will enable you to be tolerant, resilient, patient and compassionate when faced with adversity."

Deputy Prime Minister Bill English and Tertiary Education Minister Steven Joyce sent their apologies for being unable to be at the event.

The chairman of the Tertiary Education Commission, Sir Wira Gardiner, gave the closing address.

 

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