Scarborough's Patrick graduates remotely - 3,000 miles from his university

Patrick, 29, had been expecting his mum to fly out to New York – 3,392 miles away – to see him graduate with a first degree in his MPA in Public Policy and Administration, but due to the coronavirus outbreak it was him that made the flight.

The graduation was instead held virtually on Zoom and Patrick celebrated with his family at home in Scarborough.

Patrick said: “It feels strange to be graduating this week remotely.

“They have set it up over Zoom and each student has been assigned a slide. Instead of walking across the stage your slide is shown on the screen.”

Cllr Colling said: “In a way it has been an unexpected bonus as I’ve seen him more than I would have done.”

Patrick, who was sitting exams right up until last Thursday, said he was looking forward to having a bit of a break but was applying and interviewing for jobs in the UK.

Having worked for the Labour Party in London between his undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, he would like to work in politics or for the Bank of England.

Cllr Colling added: “I am proud of him for doing so well. He has worked very hard.”

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