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Honours for six at graduations’ climax

19 November 2010

 

The University’s Academic Awards for 2010 were brought to a close when honorary degrees were bestowed on six notable figures.

They were in the spotlight alongside 300 graduates from a wide range of courses in the School of Social Sciences & Law, including psychology, sport and exercise and sports therapy.

Receiving their honorary degrees were: journalist and broadcaster John Sergeant (Doctor of Letters) >author Philippa Gregory (Doctor of Letters) >businessman Steve Cochrane (Doctor of Business Administration) >concept artist Dan Walker (Doctor in Professional Achievement) >Pete Widlinski, of the North of England Refugee Service (Doctor of Laws) >Financial Times Group Chief Executive Rona Fairhead (Doctor of Business Administration).

John Sergeant said, ‘This is a great honour, I’m extremely happy. I think it’s wonderful although I’m not exactly sure how I’ll feel until the ceremony. I started my journalism career on a two-month course at Darlington College in 1967, the first journalism training course of its type at the time. I owe a lot of my success to that.’

Steve Cochrane is a Teesside graduate and said, ‘I found out about my degree when flying over Copenhagen, I was flabbergasted and speechless. I’m from a working class background and it’s a great achievement to receive this honour from the University of the Year.’

Pete Widlinski said, ‘I was absolutely stunned when I got the letter about my honorary degree. It reflects very well on the University that they recognise the value of what we do. I’ve always been very proud to have such a fantastic University in this area.’

Another Teesside graduate, Dan Walker said ‘I’m really happy to be here today, it’s a wonderful feeling. I’ve an immense sense of pride for Teesside University and really feel part of the family.’

Philippa Gregory lectured in English at Teesside Polytechnic and said, ‘I’m really delighted, it’s a great honour, especially as Teesside University is my local university.’

Rona Fairhead said, ‘I couldn’t believe it when I received the letter to say I was to receive an honorary degree. It came at the right time for me, as I had been diagnosed with cancer. It’s something very special to be recognised by the town I grew up in. It has been a fantastic day. Everyone has been incredibly welcoming. The University is really going places and I’m really impressed by the range of facilities.’

The life of the University is the wealth of the University The honorary degrees were awarded at the Town Hall by the University’s Chancellor, Lord Sawyer of Darlington. He said the audience, ‘What I experience here at Teesside is a community of people working together, supporting and helping each other. The life of the University is the wealth of the University. As you move forward from the University there is a bigger picture, there is always an opportunity to work together and support others. I wish you all a happy and successful life.’

Professor Graham Henderson, University Vice-Chancellor, in his speech thanked the graduates’ families and friends for their support. He added, ‘You have all graduated from the University of the Year. This accolade is a staging post for the University as we are going on to even greater success. And with 30,000 students and 2,000 staff we can say that Middlesbrough is definitely a University town.’

The next Teesside University graduation ceremony will take place next year in Darlington, leading up to the opening of the University’s £13m campus in the town.


 
 
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