Graduates 'Roll of Honour' at Awards Ceremonies

Over 4,300 new graduates, their proud parents and friends have been invited to celebrate academic success in St Albans next week when the annual Awards Ceremony for the University of Hertfordshire takes place at the Cathedral and Abbey Church of St Alban.

At this time, the University will also show its appreciation to sixteen pillars of the community by awarding Honorary Degrees and Fellowships for outstanding contribution to academic disciplines, charity, professions or public service - presented by Lord Salisbury, Chancellor of the University of Hertfordshire; Mrs Jo Connell, Pro Chancellor of the University and Professor Tim Wilson, Vice-Chancellor. “These ceremonies are the ultimate recognition that the University can award its students following their hard work.” Says Philip Waters, Secretary and Registrar at the University of Hertfordshire who leads the academic procession at the ceremonies. “This year our honorary awards are recognising one of the UK’s most respected businesswomen Michelle Mone, former Stevenage MP, Barbara Follett and Hertfordshire based Holocaust survivor, Mrs Kitty Hart-Moxon.”

Honorary Awards and Fellowships will be awarded to:

• Mrs Barbara Follett, in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the region and to local and national politics.
• Mr Stuart McKay, MBE, a writer and historian in recognition of outstanding contribution to the study of aviation history and work on the deHavilland Aircraft Company.
• Mr Mike Norris, Chief Executive Officer of Computacenter plc, recognised for his contribution to the computer services industry and the regional community.
• Mr David Piper, former Director of Learning Technology at the University of Hertfordshire for his contribution to many pioneering developments and projects including the University’s Voyager library system and student portal, StudyNet.
• Mr Chris Corbould, recognised for his unquestionable talent, career success and for his inspiration to young people looking to work in the special effects industry.
• Dr Peter Carter, OBE, for his outstanding contribution to national healthcare and in recognition of his support of the University’s School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work.
• Mr Paul Turner, for his contribution to health education and establishing the University as a local, regional and international centre of excellence for research, learning and teaching for health and social care professionals.
• Dr Malcolm Skingle, CBE, Director of Academic Liaison in the worldwide business development department of pharmaceutical company, GlaxoSmithKline. Recognised for his outstanding contribution to the pharmaceutical industry and some of the most productive partnerships to emerge from the UK pharmaceutical industry in recent times.
• Mr Stephen Joseph, OBE, a well-known commentator and a leading campaigner on transport and environmental issues. In recognition of his personal commitment to sustainable communities and of his professional work in continually refreshing and raising the national debate about public transport provision.
• Mrs Michelle Mone, OBE, MJM International Ltd, in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the development of entrepreneurship in the fashion industry and for her tremendous achievements as a businesswoman.
• Mr Terry Green, Chief Executive of the clothing and homes divisions at Tesco in recognition of his successful retail career and for his support for the University in giving our students opportunities for workplace experience.
• Mr Roger Lewis, a leading Autobiographer, Journalist and Literary Critic, in recognition for his work in informing and entertaining readers for nearly thirty years.
• Mr Richard Lambert, former Editor of the Financial Times and current Director-General of the Confederation of British Industry, in recognition of his dedicated work in forging closer partnerships between the business and academic worlds, and as a leading advocate for UK business.
• Lord Thomas McNally, a highly-regarded and influential British politician, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to political life in the UK and to the local community.
• Mr Stuart Kenny, one of the country’s leading regeneration experts is recognised for his contribution to the county’s cultural, social and economic prosperity.
• Mrs Kitty Hart-Moxon, OBE, a Holocaust survivor, for her commitment to education on the consequences of ‘discrimination and bullying’ working closely with the Holocaust Educational Trust.

Philip Waters adds, “For the University, this is always a special time of year as people travel to St Albans from all over the world to take part in this celebration of academic success. To minimise the impact of the extra traffic, we encourage our visitors to use public transport and we are running a shuttle bus service for them from Westminster Lodge car parks, which we use as a park and ride for those who travel by car.”

The ceremonies begin on Tuesday 16 November and finish on Friday 19 November.