Graduation Celebration at Teesside

Over 3,000 graduates from the University of Teesside will receive their degrees, diplomas and certificates at Middlesbrough Town Hall, from Tuesday 25 to Friday 28 November. This year’s ceremonies are the first to be conducted by the University’s new Vice-Chancellor, Professor Graham Henderson.

They will be receiving their academic awards in person from the Vice-Chancellor on the Town Hall's main stage. Ten individual ceremonies have been organised and family members, friends and other guests will increase the numbers enjoying the celebrations to more than 7,000.

As well as the Teesside students, five high profile individuals will also be receiving honorary degrees (see below for more details, including photo opportunity).

The first cohorts of students will be graduating from the following degrees: BSc (Hons) Sports Therapy, BA (Hons) Tourism Management and BA (Hons) Public Relations.

Before the first ceremony on Tuesday 25 November a procession by academic staff and members of the University's Board of Governors will take place, leaving the University's recently re-developed main entrance on King Edward's Square, Middlesbrough, at 10.08am and along Albert Road to Middlesbrough Town Hall where the ceremonies will take place. (The procession only takes place once and leaves the University at 10.08am on Tuesday 25 November).

Honorary Graduands

There will be an opportunity to photograph/interview the Honorary Graduands from 9.45am - 10.30am on Friday 28 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 Honorary Graduands are:

Brian Clough (Doctor of Science) - Brian Clough was born in Middlesbrough and attended Grove Hill Primary School. He later joined Middlesbrough Football Club, before playing for England and Sunderland Football Club. A football management career began with Hartlepool United in 1965, followed by Derby County and Brighton & Hove Albion, before he began 18 years managing Nottingham Forest from 1975 to 1993. Brian Clough, also known as 'Cloughie', was the only British manager to win the European Club twice in successive years (1979 and 1980).

Shiulie Ghosh (Master of Arts) - News reader and Home Affairs Editor of Independent Television News Shiule Ghosh was educated in the Tees Valley after spending time in India. After achieving a Law degree from the University of Kent, she began her news career at BBC Radio Cleveland in Middlesbrough, before moving on to BBC East Midlands Today programme. Shiulie joined ITN News as a general news reporter in 1998, progressing to Home Affairs editor. Shiulie received the Ethnic Multicultural Media Award of Best Television News Journalist in 2001

Suzannah Clarke (Master of Arts) - Middlesbrough born, Suzannah graduated from the University of Teesside in 1992 with a BA (Hons) degree in Business Studies. She is now an internationally renowned opera singer, having trained with Luciano Pavarotti's singing teacher in Modena, Italy. Suzannah has performed around the world, including the legendry La Scale opera house. She has also performed the National Anthem at a number of major football events, including the opening ceremony of Euro 96 and the more recent clash with Slovakia (held at Middlesbrough Football Club Riverside Stadium), where she also sang the Slovakian national anthem - in Albanian, with coaching from two University of Teesside Slovakian students.

Judge Peter Fox (Doctor of Laws) - The Senior Circuit Judge and Recorder of Middlesbrough, Judge Peter Fox is a long time friend to the School of Social Sciences & Law. He is a highly eminent member of the legal profession who has served the community of Middlesbrough for many years.

Professor Derek Fraser (Doctor of Laws) - Professor Derek Fraser was the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Teesside for ten years, presiding over a campus redevelopment of around £70m. Professor Fraser is an eminent social historian, particularly of the history of the welfare state. In 2001 he was appointed as chairman of the Independent Football Commission.

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