Emotional graduation ceremonies have been held for tragic students Barnaby Webber and Grace O’Malley-Kumar.
The two 19-year-olds were killed by mentally ill Valdo Calocane in a series of attacks in Nottingham that also saw 65-year-old Ian Coates lose his life on June 13, 2023. But now The University of Nottingham has honoured their memories in a powerful graduation ceremony attended by their family and friends which saw them both receive honorary degrees - Barney received a degree in BA (hons) History and Grace a BMedSci (hons) Medicine.
Sadly neither set of parents could face the deeply moving ceremony which Barnaby’s family described as “too painful” but family and friends stepped into the breach. Barnaby’s degree was picked up by his brave younger brother Charlie, 17, along with Barney’s godmother Abi Rawlins whilst Grace’s was received by friend and fellow medical student Nicola Fletcher.
READ MORE: Final text Barnaby Webber's mum still reads one year after Nottingham attack

A speech from Barnaby’s parents Emma and David, delivered by godmother Abi Rawlins, asked graduating students to toast their son’s memory while a speech on behalf of Grace’s parents, Drs Sinead and Sanjoy, implored the medical students in the crowd to “heal your patients as if they were your own family members”. The pair were brutally killed when they were innocently walking home from a night out and Calocane fatally stabbed them, before going on to kill Mr Coates and using Mr Coates’s van to drive into three pedestrians.
But instead of focusing on the tragedy of their passing their memories were celebrated at Nottingham University on what should have been a day of family triumph for both families as stirring tributes were delivered to both young students. History student Barnaby’s parents told the crowd, via his godmother Abi: “There are no words ever spoken that can convey our grief and devastation at losing Barney.

“However, there are infinite ones that we can use to describe our beautiful son. Here are just a few: Kind. Funny. Irreverent. Caring. Adventurous. Carefree. Proud. Argumentative (with his parents!). Charming. Handsome. Generous. Exceptional. Normal. Remarkable. Resilient. Compassionate. Exceptional. Determined. Modest (mostly!). Boundless. Brave, Cheerful and most of all authentic.
“We are so sad that we are not able to attend today’s ceremony. It’s just too painful for us. As many parents who are sat here today will know, this is a day that you dream of for your children. A pivotal moment in their lives when they take the next steps into their future. That Barney’s future was so horrifically taken from him on June 13th 2023 is unimaginable cruelty.
“What we do know is that in the all too precious time he had with us all he made a difference, and he had an impact.” Praising their younger son Charlie’s bravery, they said: “It is with great pride that his younger brother Charlie accepts the award on all of our behalf.
“Charlie, you are exceptional. You really are. You know how proud we are of you. Your bravery, resilience and determination astound us. Barney may have eye rolled, tormented and teased you mercilessly, but you must know just how much he loved you too.”
And to the assembled hall of graduates they added: “To all who are here to quite rightly celebrate your graduation day. A huge well done. This is your day.
“We have just one ask of you if we may? When you have a much deserved drink later on to toast your success, please also raise a glass for Barney. He’d love that.”
A speech on behalf of medical student Grace’s parents and brother James, delivered by fellow student Nicola Fletcher, said: “Unfortunately, myself Sanjoy and James find it too difficult to be there in person to accept Grace’s posthumous degree as the unspeakable loss of her has rendered it too heartbreaking and painful to witness which I am sure you will understand. Her year at Nottingham was the happiest year of her life. Playing hockey as a member of a BUCS winning and premier league hockey team, making firm friendships on and off the pitch as well as studying medicine. She was so happy.
“As doctors ourselves, we are aware of the hard work and commitment it takes to complete a medical degree. Medical students spend longer at university and on training pathways than any other career professionals. We wish you all the luck in the world on your chosen specialties in the future. As an artistic, dextrous girl with attention to detail Grace hoped to train and qualify as a surgeon one day.
“We would like you to remember Grace as a beautiful, courageous and brave young lady who always stood by her friends. She was fearless and fought for friendship until her final breath.” They also made a powerful plea to the future medics in in the room adding: “We have one other thing to ask of all of you and that is to listen to and heal your patients as if they were your own family members.

“You can never go wrong in your clinical decision-making if you use this as your benchmark. The doctors who do less are not worthy to work in our noble profession. As for us as a family, we are making sure through Government that our country is safe, more accountable and more responsible for you and your families and loved ones. We do this in Grace’s name and she will have an everlasting legacy in making sure we live in a safer society.”
Professor Jane Norman, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Nottingham, said: “We pay tribute to our two wonderful students, Grace O’Malley-Kumar and Barney Webber, who should be here celebrating with the Class of 2025 as they graduate - Grace with a BMedSci (hons) Medicine and Barney with a BA (hons) History - and looking forward to their next exciting chapter. Our university community holds all those who loved Grace and Barney in our hearts as they mark this important and difficult milestone. It will be an emotional and bittersweet time for many of Grace and Barney’s cohort, and indeed everyone who has classmates missing today, who will be remembering their friends with warmth and affection and celebrating their achievements on a day when many of them will be graduating themselves.”

Calocane, who had been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, was sentenced to a hospital order in January 2024 after admitting manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility. He also pleaded guilty to three counts of attempted murder.
In February, a judge-led public inquiry into the killings was announced by the prime minister following extensive campaigning by the victims’ families. It revealed he was not forced to take his anti-psychotic medication in part because he did not like needles.
The detail was published among a catalogue of failings identified by the independent report, which revealed “the system got it wrong” with Calocane. It laid out how Calocane, who has paranoid schizophrenia, had no contact with mental health services or his GP for about nine months prior to the killings - after he was discharged when he repeatedly failed to engage with them.
At the time Mr Webber’s mother Emma described the report as a “horror show”. In response, the government repeated its commitment to a public inquiry into the attacks, with work ongoing to establish its scope.
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