Anniversary Honours from the University of Teesside

Six leading figures from the worlds of cinema, sport, literature, the health service, education and business will receive Honorary Degrees from the University of Teesside on Friday 22 November 2002 at 11am.

The ceremony at Middlesbrough Town Hall is a key part of the University's annual Academic Awards ceremonies, which take place from Tuesday 19 November to Friday 22 November.

This year Teesside is celebrating ten years of University status and the ceremonies will be the last to be conducted by the University's Vice-Chancellor, Professor Derek Fraser, who retires in March 2003. The Honorary Graduates ceremony will also be attended by the University's Chancellor, the Rt. Hon The Lord Brittan of Spennithorne QC.

There will be an opportunity to photograph/interview the Honorary Graduates from 9.45am - 10.30am on 22 November at the fourth floor, Learning Resource Centre, Southfield Road, Middlesbrough. Please call the Press & PR Office on 01642 342015, e-mail pr@tees.ac.uk to let us know if you are coming. This year's Graduands are:

Ray Harryhausen (Honorary degree of Doctor of Science). Ray is the internationally famous pioneer of film animation and an Oscar winner. His films include The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad, Jason and the Argonauts and Clash of the Titans. Ray first visited the University in February 2001 to speak about his career at the University's annual Animation festival.

Alan Smith (Honorary degree of Master of Science). Born in Middlesbrough, Alan has enjoyed an outstanding career as an international football Physiotherapist. In 1994 he was appointed as Physiotherapist to the England team, serving under Terry Venables, Glenn Hoddle, Kevin Keegan and Sven-Goran Eriksson. He helped in the rehabilitation of Alan Shearer before Euro 96 and David Beckham prior to the 2002 World Cup. Alan's last match before retiring was England v Brazil in the Quarter Final of the 2002 World Cup.

Jane Gardam (Honorary degree of Doctor of Letters). Born in Redcar, Jane is the author of many novels and collections of short stories, both for children and adults. Her novel, The Queen of the Tambourine, won her the 1991 Whitbread Best Novel of the Year. Other novels include God on the Rocks, which was televised in 1992 and The Flight of the Maidens.

Bill Murray OBE (Honorary degree of Doctor of Science). Bill is a Chartered Engineer by profession. He joined the National Health Service in the 1960s. As Chief Executive of South Tees Hospitals NHS Trust he is recognised nationally and internationally as a leader in the modernisation of the health service.

Phillip Yuill (Honorary degree of Master of Science). Phillip is the Chairman of the Yuill Group, a major local employer. He also makes a substantial contribution to the community as the President of the local NSPCC.

Ray Brunskill (Honorary degree of Doctor of Science). Ray was Dean of Computing & Mathematics at the University when it gained its 'Excellent' grading for teaching Computer Science, and is one of the best-known names in the computing sector of higher education.

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