Honours from the University of Teesside

Six leading men and women from the diverse worlds of sport, music, health, science and education will receive Honorary degrees from the University of Teesside on Friday 30 November 2001. The Honorary Degree ceremony begins at 11am in Middlesbrough Town Hall, and is a key part of the grand finale of the University’s four days of graduation celebrations (from Tuesday 27 November-Friday 30 November). The Honorary Degree ceremony will be attended by the University’s Chancellor, the Rt. Hon The Lord Brittan of Spennithorne QC.

There will be an opportunity to interview/photograph the Honorary Graduates between 9.45am-10.30am on Friday 30 November, at the 4th Floor, Learning Resource Centre, Southfield Road, Middlesbrough. Please call the Press & PR Office on 01642 342015 if you are coming.

This year's Honorary Graduands are:

Tanni Grey-Thompson OBE will receive the Honorary Degree of Master of Science. Tanni is Britain's best-known Paralympic athlete, having performed at world-class level for the past 13 years. She now lives in Redcar and won four gold medals in the 2000 Sydney Paralympics. In 2001 Tanni was admitted to the World Sports Academy, alongside sporting legends including Pele, Ed Moses and Boris Becker. She is the only athlete with a disability amongst the Academy's 42 members.

Vin Garbutt will receive the Honorary Degree of Master of Arts. Born in South Bank, Middlesbrough, Vin's career as a musician began in 1963 aged 15, when he first sang in Teesside folk clubs. He has been Teesside's roving ambassador of folk music for nearly 30 years, performing in the Unites States, Canada and Europe. His songs are largely inspired by the people and culture of Teesside and North Yorkshire.

Professor Harry Smith will receive the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science. Professor Smith was until recently Professor of Botany and Director of the Botanic Garden at the University of Leicester. Professor Smith was born in Middlesbrough and is one of the lending botanists of his generation and a fellow of the Royal Society.

Roy Brown will receive the Honorary Degree of Master of Science. Roy was until recently, Deputy Chief Executive of the Tees Valley Training & Enterprise Council and also Director of Lifelong Learning. Roy has made a key contribution to education and training achievement in the Tees Valley and to the raising of aspirations.

Dame Deirdre Hine will receive the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters. Dame Deidre is Chair of the Commission for Health Improvement, having previously worked as Chief Medical Officer at the Welsh Office. Dame Deirdre continues to make a major contribution to health promotion, building on her many publications including the Calman-Hine Report.

Professor Joe Herbst will receive the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science. Professor Herbst is an Emeritus Professor of the University of Teesside. Still highly active in the University 10 years after his retirement, he was previously Head of Instrumentation and Control Engineering. A long-term adviser on educational policy, Professor Herbst has made a major contribution to the history of the University.

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