Saving our seas
Alumni anniversary graduation speakers
This year we were delighted to welcome back not one, but two alumni anniversary speakers to our summer and winter graduation ceremonies.
Samantha Baines (Drama, 2008)
After graduating, Samantha Baines went on to become a professional tv / film actress and comedian. More recently she’s become a bestselling author and award-winning broadcaster working across podcasts and radio. Samantha hosts the smash hit podcast The Divorce Social and as a hearing aid wearer herself, she is the author of critically acclaimed children’s books with deaf main characters, and non-fiction book Living With Hearing Loss and Deafness. You may recognise her from appearances on ITV’s Loose Women, Sky News and Andrew Neil’s This Week or acting roles in Netflix’s The Crown, Call the Midwife, Silent Witness and Magic Mike Live (directed by Channing Tatum). She is also a regular on BBC radio stations.
Reflecting on her time at the University, Samantha said: “I absolutely loved my time at the University of Exeter. I made lifelong friends and my drama degree truly prepared me for a successful career in the industry. Despite having some lovely credits like The Crown and Call the Midwife, people still say ‘ohhhh you went to Exeter’ when they look at my CV.”
In Sam’s speech she shared her biggest tip for our latest alumni as they start their future journeys: “Believe in yourself. No one else knows quite what you are capable of, the strength you have inside you and the talent that is ready to be unleashed, better than you do. It might feel buried down quite deep in there but it’s ready to be unravelled and celebrated. I give you my full permission to unleash yourselves into the world, to fulfil your potential and even your wildest dreams, to run headlong into challenges, to smash down walls, to eradicate doubt and to change the world. I believe in you and I hope you believe in you.”
“Believe in yourself. No one else knows quite what you are capable of, the strength you have inside you and the talent that is ready to be unleashed, better than you do.”
“Believe in yourself. No one else knows quite what you are capable of, the strength you have inside you and the talent that is ready to be unleashed, better than you do.”
Watch Sam’s interview here:
Will Graydon
(BSc Biological Sciences, 2011 and MSc Sustainable Development, 2013)
Since studying at Exeter, Will Graydon, known professionally as 220 Kid, has gone on to become a record producer, DJ, and remix artist. On the UK Singles Chart his collaboration “Don’t Need Love” with Gracey peaked at number 9 in 2020, whilst his remix of the popular song “Wellerman” with Billen Ted reached the top spot in 2021. Will’s stage name, 220 Kid, originated from a charity effort where he ran 220 miles, a distance corresponding to nine marathons, over seven days. Will completed this run in 2013 on the Isle of Man to support three medical charities.
Reflecting on his time at the University, Will said: “Exeter is a very special place to me. I arrived there with no idea who I was and what I wanted to do with my life. Over the four years I was at the University, I really found myself and the work ethic and determination that anything is possible. I met so many wonderful people who shaped my life and my influences. It put me on the path to where I am now and I’m forever grateful and proud of that.”
In Will’s speech he shared some reflections he’d had over his life and how it felt special to be asked back to share his thoughts: “I’m a far from perfect human. I’ve been self-destructive and I think it’s important to add that I wasn’t the best student whilst at Exeter, I have attention problems and I’m dyslexic and dyspraxic. But then that’s what’s important about me being here to speak. That you do not have to be perfect to make your way in this world, you do not have to conform to what society says to find happiness and success.”
Will also passed on some advice to anyone who might be struggling with what to do after graduating or with their own mental health difficulties saying that: “We live in a society where you’re supposed to have it all figured out and sorted at such a young age and you are shamed to not have direction as you get older. If I can part any advice right now it’s that it really does not matter right now. You are young and you are full of energy, you have a whole spectrum of opportunities you don’t even know exist yet, a wild and wonderous path ahead of you. Where the cliché saying is true, it’s all about the journey not the destination.”
“You do not have to be perfect to make your way in this world, you do not have to conform to what society says to find happiness and success.”
Watch Will’s interview here:
