Actor will return to his roots to receive honorary degree

A star of stage and screen, a world-class rock climber and an industry stalwart will all be honoured by Teesside University during this year’s graduation celebrations.

Stephen Tompkinson, Steve McClure and Maurice Dawson will each receive honorary degrees at the ceremonies, which take place from 23 to 30 November.

Stockton-born actor Stephen Tompkinson has been a well-known face in television and film for three decades. He currently plays detective Alan Banks in the ITV crime drama DCI Banks. Stephen previously starred in Ballykissangel and Wild at Heart, and his film credits include the 1996 comedy-drama Brassed Off. He regularly performs on the stage in London’s West End and played Damien Day in the hit comedy Drop the Dead Donkey from 1990 to 1998.

Born in Oulston Road in Stockton, Stephen’s grandparents lived nearby at Windermere Road and his aunt and uncle lived in Grangefield Road. He moved to Scarborough when he was four, but returned to the area regularly to visit relatives.

With a passion for sport, Stephen is an avid Boro fan and said if he wasn’t an actor he would like to be a cricket commentator.

He is set to receive a Doctor of Art from Teesside University on the morning of Friday 27 November.

Steve McClure is regarded as one of the best rock climbers in the world and is famed for his hard sport climbing routes in England. He has competed on the World and European stage over a number of years and in 2007 made the free ascent of Overshadow in Malham Cove, the first 9a+ route in the UK.

Born in Saltburn, both Steve’s parents were climbers and he jokes that he learnt to climb before he could walk. He originally practiced traditional climbing and rapidly went on to become one of the world’s top rock climbers, before switching to sport climbing at the age of 24.

A lifelong dedication and passion for climbing has seen Steve become an experienced coach in both one-on-one and group sessions. He has helped to nurture over 150 individuals in locations including Sardinia, Turkey and Spain.

Steve will receive a Doctor of Civil Law on the afternoon of Wednesday 25 November.

Maurice Dawson is Chairman of AV Dawson, specialists in logistics, transport and freight who have been operating in the Teesside area for almost 80 years.

The company was founded by Maurice’s father in 1938 and Maurice became Managing Director in 1971. He has grown the company over four decades and AV Dawson now employs 240 people and has built award-winning facilities at Dawson’s Wharf on Teesside.

Maurice will receive a Doctor of Business Administration on the morning of Thursday 26 November.

Professor Paul Croney, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of Teesside University, said: 'Graduation is a special time to celebrate the success of our students. I am delighted to be awarding honorary degrees to three people who have each achieved remarkable standards in their chosen careers.

'It will be a pleasure to welcome them to the Teesside University family and I am sure their stories of hard work, dedication and achievement will help to inspire the thousands of graduates who will be receiving their degrees during the week.'

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