A ceremony at this year’s Graduation celebrations marked an historic occasion during Lancaster University’s 60^th anniversary year as, for the first time, an all-female ‘cast’ took ‘centre stage’ in the ceremonial roles.

All the key ceremonial positions of Master of Ceremonies (MC), Mace Bearer, two Halberdiers and two Marshals were taken on by women for the first time ever at the ceremony on December 12 at 10.30am.

Daphne Barker, a doctor of auditory neuroscience, took on the role of MC, responsible for welcoming the graduands and guests, setting out rules and expectations, and ensuring the smooth running of the event.

Daphne, who hails from Cambridge, studied at Lancaster University for her undergraduate degree in psychology from 2004 to 2007 before receiving a PhD from University of Manchester and the MRC Institute of Hearing Research in Nottinghamshire in 2010.

She has held post-doctorate posts at Lancaster and Manchester and now works as Strategic Projects Officer in the University’s Strategic Projects Team.

“I took part in the graduation ceremonies for the first time last year, and I was super excited to be part of the first ever all-female graduation team at Lancaster, in the role of MC,” says Daphne.

“I hope this will instil in the women of Lancaster University the confidence to sign up for key officer roles in future.”

Jo Butterworth, who lives in Brookhouse, has worked as a Business Analyst in the University’s Information Systems Services Department since November 2018 covering many aspects of the student journey from Admissions and Clearing, through Registration and even the Graduation Ceremonies software towards the end of that journey.

As Mace Bearer, a role she first undertook at last December's graduation ceremonies, she led the procession to and from the platform in a ‘timely fashion’.

She has taken on the role of Halberdier in several previous ceremonies and has been on the platform in her own graduation robes, from Warwick University, too.

She has a long history with the University from her two weeks’ work experience as a year ten pupil, in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, back in the late 90s. She also helped as an usher for Graduation Ceremonies the following Summer, just after her GCSEs.

“I have fond memories of helping at the ceremonies in 1994 at Lancaster University, where I met Princess Alexandra, who was the Chancellor back then,” says Jo. “I really enjoyed the atmosphere and it has hardly changed. Every ceremony still feels special.”

Laura McGowan, who lives in Caton, was one of the two Halberdiers, or ceremonial bodyguards, for the first time. She has undertaken several roles, from Mace Bearer and Marshal to Ceremony Supervisor, in previous years.

A Halberdier carries the ceremonial halberd, or axe, and follows the Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor or other officiating personnel, in the procession to and from the platform.

“I’ve worked at the University for 20 years,” says Laura. “In my current role I work as a Recruitment Events Officer. I specialise in postgraduate recruitment so it is lovely to see students graduate where a number of them will have attended events I have organised at the very start of their journey.”

Laura has covered roles as College Manager for Grizedale College, postgraduate recruitment manager and has worked in the Management School and LICA.

Hannah Rosbrook-Brown, who arrived in Lancaster in 2010 to complete a Mathematics degree, has been an EDI Advisor at the University for two years and, she says, hasn’t looked back since.

“I was one of the two Halberdiers in this year’s winter graduations, a role I first did in summer 2024, though I’ve helped out in plenty of graduation roles before that,” says Hannah.

“I might have the best seat in the house as a Halberdier. At the side of the stage, it’s wonderful to get to see all the smiling faces walking across the stage and experiencing the overwhelming joy and celebration that overtakes campus during graduation weeks.”

As Stage Marshal Abi Lucy-Lloyd wasup on stage, overseeing the graduands coming up to receive their degrees. She worked closely with Floor Marshall Kate Dunbavan to ensure the ceremony ran smoothly.

“I’ve volunteered to support Graduations ceremonies since I started at Lancaster University over eight years ago and it’s one of my favourite things to be involved in,” says Abi, who lives in Arnside with her husband and twin boys. “It’s such a wonderful atmosphere, everyone is excited to be there and campus is just buzzing.

“I’ve been a marshal a few times now and always feel excited to put the red robes on, even if the hats are a little wobbly!”

In her day job as an Engagement Manager at the University, Abi leads on a programme of events and activities to engage regional and national stakeholders and bring together key partners and communities around a common goal.

“I’m honoured to be part of the all-female ceremony, it’ll be a true privilege to work with such a fantastic group of women both on and off the stage,” added Abi.

Kate Dunbavan, a Senior Project Manager who lives in Caton, took on the role of Floor Marshal.

Originally from Preston she moved to Lancaster 12 years ago, when she started working at the University.

“Having undertaken a few different graduation ceremony roles over the years I’ve been at Lancaster, I now tend to be handed the role of Marshal, a role I thoroughly enjoy,” she says.

“It’s such a privilege to share the stage with our wonderful graduates as they quite literally step into the next phase of their journeys, and to witness the reaction of their proud family and friends as they do so.”

Up until December 2018, the ceremonial roles (Mace Bearer and Halberdiers) were all male with the first female Mace Bearer, Karen Coupe, taking up the role in December 2018.

The Graduation Ceremony organising team, Anna Mackenzie and Rachel Powell, were both very keen to broaden the pool of ceremonial roles, partly to increase diversity.

“The ‘bumper’ two weeks of ceremonies in 2022 enabled me to bring in a lot more female staff in these roles and I’m delighted that it’s now embedded as part of our business-as-usual approach,” explained Anna, the Head of Corporate and Ceremonial Events.

Graduation Events Manager Rachel added: “When I emailed the staff about this ceremony and what I wanted to achieve they were all really excited to get involved and were very pleased to undertake these roles for this ceremony and be part of history!”