Photo Credit: BBC News
To acknowledge Fudge the Dog's significant contribution to Jack's 'A-Graded' Honours dissertation, which explored content shareability via online videos (starring Fudge), the pair graduated along side each other in matching ceremonial gowns.
Images of Fudge, dressed in his custom made graduation gown, captured the hearts of the Nation. The story was featured extensively in national and international press, and Fudge became one of the most talked about graduates of the season.
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The Daily Record - One Man and His Dog Graduate from Napier University after Completing Honours Degree
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Video Credit: BBC News
Press Release:
A STUDENT and his dog both donned graduation robes this week after the pet aided in his master's successfull completion of his university degree. Jack Proctor joined forces with cocker spaniel Fudge to complete a series of assignments as he studied for his BDes (Hons) in Design and Digital Arts at Edinburgh Napier University, Scotland.
The six-year-old dog starred in Jack’s introductory video and course work, and featured prominently in his dissertation, which got an A grade.
To mark Fudge’s supporting role in his owner’s academic journey, the dog joined the student at his graduation ceremony wearing bespoke robes made by Jack’s wife.
Jack, 34, of Coatbridge, Lanarkshire, said: “I know it seems eccentric, but Fudge has been part of my journey through University since day one, so it just feels like a nice way to mark the journey's end.
“He was such a fundamental part of my dissertation that I even mentioned him in the acknowledgement section.”
Jack and Fudge delighted web surfers during last year’s Ice Bucket Challenge craze when technical trickery was used to show Jack being hoodwinked into getting a soaking by his four-legged friend.
Youtube - Fudge the Dog - Ice Bucket Challenge
But their video collaborations go back to his very first day at the university, when Jack’s class were asked to make introduction videos. Fudge was given the lead role in Jack’s and the laughs which followed encouraged him to keep putting his pet in the spotlight.
Fudge featured in a series of videos for Jack’s dissertation on how designers can optimise the shareability of their work, comedy special effects being used to show the dog regularly outsmarting hapless humans achieved viral status.
He also took lead and cameo roles in Jack’s course assignment videos including The Dog Dice (in which Fudge plays Snakes and Ladders) and charity video made in collaboration with the Soi Dog Foundation.
Jack said: “Our Ice Bucket Challenge video was our most successful, with millions of views on Facebook and 300,000 on Youtube, but other videos we had made have had view counts ranging from 30,000 to 300,000, and have appeared on news video sites.
“We are very much a partnership so it just seemed right that Fudge should share my big day with me.”
Photo Credit: TIMES HIGHER EDUCATION; http://bit.ly/1JmyS1I
