GRADUATION 2026: Myerscough celebrates student success as new Honorary Fellowships awarded

Myerscough’s degree students completing their study programmes in 2026 have been recognised for their achievements, while further education students at a number of Myerscough’s centres have also been celebrated at their own special ceremonies.

You can catch up with our ceremony in full on our YouTube channel

Wes Johnson, Chief Executive and Principal of Myerscough College and University Centre said: ‘’Today is a day to celebrate, to recognise the hard work and commitment that has gone into the past years and to congratulate all our students on their successes.

‘’It is a time for every student to walk tall, smile and shine as they walk across the stage and proudly graduate from University Centre Myerscough.

‘’Today is also an opportunity to thank parents, families, friends for their contribution to this achievement. On behalf of the students and Myerscough I would like to personally thank you all for the part you have played in supporting our students.''

‘’So students, your success in your studies at Myerscough has equipped you exceptionally well for your future. You have demonstrated ambition, drive and tenacity to achieve in your studies and this should give you the courage, self-belief and determination to know that you can do anything in life.

‘’Whatever your next steps, the Myerscough Team wish you a very happy, healthy and successful future.’’

Myerscough is also delighted to announce the awarding of its latest Honorary Fellowships.

Dr Jonathan Knowles and Becky Moody have both accepted the highest honour that the College can bestow.

They have now been inducted into Myerscough’s elite group of inspirational people and join a very exclusive club that contains names from the world of business, sport and entertainment.

Dr Jonathan Knowles

Jonathan is one of the most respected names within the sportsturf industry, with his sector experience and knowledge spanning across five decades.

Jonathan began his career with a decade long spell at Rufford Park Golf Centre in the 1990s, before joining Myerscough as a work based training co-ordinator and sportsturf tutor in 2002, spending more than 17 years in the role.

During this period, in addition to training hundreds of sportsturf professionals, Jonathan gained a first class honours degree in Turf and Turfgrass Management, before becoming a Doctor of Philosophy, completing a PhD in microbiology and turfgrass pathology.

In 2020, he joined Leicester City Football Club to manage their new Sports Turf Academy. The state-of-the-art facility allows young people to earn a valuable qualification, learning within the classroom while also working as an apprentice at the club’s training ground in Seagrave.

In 2023, he was appointed Head of the academy, overseeing the next generation of turf specialists, as the sports pitch sector continues to evolve and embrace the latest in modern technology advancements.

Jonathan is passionate about lifting the standards of our whole turf community, creating more professionalism, better opportunities, and stronger pathways for anyone involved in the craft, by improving training, raising the quality of playing surfaces and growing research output.

Dr Jonathan Knowles is awarded a Myerscough Honorary Fellowship in recognition of his outstanding contribution to sportsturf.

Becky Moody

Becky is a leading light in the equestrian sector, international dressage rider, Olympic bronze medallist and a World Cup runner up.

Becky was born in Scotland and moved to Yorkshire as a child.

By the time she was in her early teens, she already knew that she wanted to ride and train horses for a living, so left school after her GCSEs and did an Equine NVQ apprenticeship.

Becky made her championship debut at the FEI Dressage Young Rider European Championship at Hartpury in 2000, where she picked up a team bronze medal.

To date, she currently holds 12 international wins, more than 30 national titles.

In 2015, she won the Dressage Future Elite prize at the Horse of the Year Show, but it was when her home-bred horse Jagerbomb reached the top level that she was able to achieve the things she'd dreamed of as a young rider.

Becky and Jagerbomb made their senior British team debut at the FEI Dressage Nations Cup, where they finished second in the Grand Prix Special.

One of the highlights of Becky’s equestrian career is when she competed with in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, where two personal best scores helped Team GB take bronze.

At the 2025 London International Horse Show, she placed 2nd in the FEI Dressage World Cup Freestyle to Music, and this year achieved second in the FEI Dressage World Rankings.

Becky runs Moody Dressage with her sister Hannah, where she has a sector leading reputation for producing horses and coaching clients.

Becky Moody is awarded a Myerscough Honorary Fellowship in recognition of her outstanding contribution to equestrianism.