University honours inspirational individuals

Inspirational people are set to be honoured by the University of Wolverhampton at this year’s graduation ceremonies.

Awards will be presented to individuals from various fields, including music, sport, health, education and law, in recognition of their significant achievements. Ceremonies will take place at the city’s Grand Theatre next month (SEPT).

Jazz singer and Radio 2 presenter Clare Teal, a University of Wolverhampton alumnus, will receive an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Music.

Former Government Minister Clare Short, who is now active in organisations working on issues such as slum upgrading in the developing world and African-led humanitarian action, is to be awarded an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters.

TV presenter and architect George Clarke will receive an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Technology and music mogul Paul Birch will receive an Honorary Fellowship.

Paralympic gold medallist Danielle Brown MBE, a three-time World Champion, and record holder in Archery, will be presented with an Honorary Fellowship.

Set to be honoured for their educational achievements are former Government Minister and co-founder of the Baker Dearing Educational Trust, Lord Kenneth Baker, and the University’s former Deputy Vice Chancellor Jane Nelson.

Also receiving awards are influential nursing leader Janice Stevens CBE, and Professor of Paediatrics and Child Health Rashid Gatrad.

District Judge Tan Ikram, a University of Wolverhampton graduate, and pioneering Deaf Studies and BSL/English Interpreting lecturer John Hay MBE will also receive awards.

Other recipients are poet Jo Bell and Danella Bagnall, Vehicle Programme Director – Product Creation and Delivery at Jaguar Land Rover.

In addition, Anthony Marsh, Chief Executive Officer of the Regional West Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust and East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust, and Wolverhampton singer Jaki Graham have received honorary awards from the University in previous years and are set to become Pro-Chancellors, individuals who are highly regarded in their field with a close link to the University.  Their expertise can be drawn upon by the Board of Governors when appropriate, and they can deputise for the Chancellor in his absence. 

University of Wolverhampton Vice-Chancellor, Professor Geoff Layer, said: “We have diverse range of individuals receiving awards this year for the significant impact they make within their fields.

“Each of them has made a positive contribution to society and serves as an inspiration to all our graduating students.”

The University of Wolverhampton graduation ceremonies will be held at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre from Thursday 17 September to Friday 25 September 2015.

The full list of honorary recipients and their awards is below:
 
Thursday 17 September

Faculty of Education, Health and Wellbeing
Danielle Brown MBE- Honorary Fellowship
Rashid Gatrad – Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science
 
Friday 18 September

Faculty of Education, Health and Wellbeing
Janice Stevens CBE
 
Saturday 19 September

Offices of the Vice-Chancellor
Jane Nelson – Honorary Fellowship
 
Monday 21 September

Faculty of Arts
Clare Teal – Honorary Degree of Doctor of Music
Jo Bell – Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters
 
Office of the Dean of Students
Paul Birch – Honorary Fellowship
 
Tuesday September 22

Education Central
Lord Kenneth Baker – Honorary Degree of Doctor of Education
Faculty of Social Sciences
Clare Short – Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters
 
Wednesday 23 September

Faculty of Social Sciences
Tan Ikram – Honorary Degree of Doctor of Law
Office of the Dean of Students
John Hay – Honorary Fellowship
 
Thursday September 24

Faculty of Science and Engineering
Danella Bagnall – Honorary Degree of Doctor of Technology
 
Friday September 25

Faculty of Science and Engineering
George Clarke – Honorary Degree of Doctor of Technology
Offices of the Vice Chancellor
Jaki Graham – Pro- Chancellor
Anthony Marsh – Pro-Chancellor

Ends

For media inquiries please contact Emma Pugh in the Media Relations Office on 01902 322736.