Community, celebration and ceremony: EEE staff play their part at Graduation

This week Imperial welcomed thousands of graduands and guests to South Kensington campus across two days of ceremonies.

Graduation at Imperial is a momentous occasion for students, their families, friends and supporters, and the wider university community — a time to celebrate achievement, reflect on the journey, and look forward to what’s next. 

Among the staff helping to make postgraduate Graduation 2025 memorable for our graduates were three familiar faces from EEE — Lina Brazinskaite, Linh Le and Tim Green.

Lina Brazinskaite - Education Office Manager

A ceremonial role

This year was Education Office Manager Lina's second time serving as a Graduation Marshal — a role that saw her carry the one of ceremonial wands across the stage before graduands' names are announced.

“It’s a brief responsibility, but a meaningful one,” she says. “I was fortunate to enjoy the rest of the ceremony from a front-row seat.”

“Seeing the proud smiles on their faces as names were called and degrees awarded is a powerful reminder of the hard work and support behind each achievement.” Lina Brazinskaite Education Office Manager, EEE

For Lina, the highlight was witnessing the emotional reactions of the graduates and their families. “Seeing the proud smiles on their faces as names were called and degrees awarded is a powerful reminder of the hard work and support behind each achievement.”

Having been invited to take part by the Faculty’s Director of Education and Student Experience Strategy, Lina was quick to say yes. “It’s a privilege to contribute to such a meaningful event.”

Linh Le - Education Support Administrator

Celebrations and community

Linh, who is part of our Education Team in EEE, took on two Volunteer roles. Volunteers are essential to the successful running of Graduation. In the morning she worked at the Faculty Receptions, scanning tickets and welcoming guests, and in the afternoon she moved to the Royal Albert Hall, where she served as a steward at the Engineering ceremony.

“Just being present in the graduation ceremony was already a great experience,” she said. “It made me feel a lot of emotions seeing graduands crossing the stage as everyone clapped and cheered, especially the family members, and it reminded me a lot of my own graduation.”

"After supporting students throughout their study, I am proud to contribute a very tiny bit to their success while watching them celebrating their graduation." Linh Le Education Support Administrator, EEE

Linh has previous experience of supporting graduation events in her previous higher education role, and enjoys being part of such a significant moment in students’ journeys. "After supporting students throughout their study, I am proud to contribute a very tiny bit to their success while watching them celebrating their graduation."

“Graduation brings a great sense of community,” she added. “Everyone joins hands to celebrate the event. I would definitely recommend volunteering — it’s a nice way to step out of the office and be part of the Imperial community, and a great networking opportunity – getting to know other Imperial colleagues whom I may not have a chance to meet on a daily basis."

Professor Tim Green - Head of Department

A new tradition

This year’s Engineering ceremony was a new opportunity to play a part in the proceedings for Professor Tim Green, EEE Head of Department. In a change to tradition, department heads came to the stage to shake hands with their department's graduating students.

“It was a privilege to personally congratulate our department's graduates. I made the same walk in 1986, and I know just how special it is." Prof Tim Green Head of Department, EEE

For Tim this carried a particular resonance as he once crossed the Royal Albert Hall stage himself as an EEE graduate.

“It was a privilege to personally congratulate our department's graduates,” he said. “I made the same walk in 1986, and I know just how special it is.

"Marking this milestone with our newest alumni and their guests is a proud day for the entire community — celebrating the talent and dedication of our brilliant students, and the exciting possibilities ahead.”