The University of Winchester is commending the achievements of students at Graduation this year (14-18 October), as well as awarding Honorary Doctorates and Fellowships to prominent public figures - including actors, sports sensations and authors - recognising excellence in their respective fields.
Over 2,300 students are graduating in Winchester Cathedral during nine ceremonies presided over by Chancellor of the University Alan Titchmarsh MBE VMH DL. The annual celebrations begin on Monday 14 October with a procession from Abbey House to Winchester Cathedral, with civic dignitaries from across Hampshire joining senior staff from the University.
"Graduation is one of life's most significant occasions and is consistently one of my favourite times in the academic year. I am always incredibly proud of our graduates," said Professor Joy Carter CBE DL, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Winchester.
"As the University for sustainability and social justice, making a difference is key to what we do here at Winchester. We hope our students leave Winchester with the knowledge, wisdom and strength to make a real difference in the world."
As part of the University's commitment to contribute to a more sustainable future, each graduate will receive a copy of No One Is Too Small to Make a Difference by climate activist Greta Thunberg and 1,000 native trees will be planted in honour of the 2019 graduates, thanks to a partnership with environmental business Rising Forests.
In addition to this year's student graduates, the University has recognised the achievements, distinguished careers and contributions to society of some inspirational individuals. Individuals recognised with Honorary Doctorates and Fellowships have excelled in fields related to the University's values, research and teaching programmes, including the dramatic arts, sports and exercise science, animal welfare and literature. They include:
Dame Judi Dench CH DBE FRSA (Honorary Doctorate of Arts for services to Dramatic Arts) has garnered wide popular and critical acclaim for a career in the dramatic arts, in both classical and contemporary roles. She has won numerous major awards - including an Academy Award, ten BAFTA Awards and a record eight Laurence Olivier Awards. In recognition of her many achievements she received an OBE (Order of the British Empire) in 1970, became a DBE (Dame of the British Empire) in 1988, and in 2005 was awarded a Companion of Honour.
Hugh Bonneville (Honorary Doctorate of Arts for services to Dramatic Arts) a British actor with an extensive acting career. He is best known for his portrayal of Robert Crawley in ITV's global hit, Downton Abbey, for which he received a Golden Globe, two Emmy nominations and, along with his fellow cast members, won three SAG Awards for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series. Hugh is being honoured by the University for his consistent and significant contributions to the dramatic arts.
Neil Gaiman (Honorary Doctorate of Arts for services to Literature) is an author with many award winning works such as The Ocean at the End of the Lane, which won the National Book Awards Book of the Year, and is set to become a National Theatre play starting in December 2019, and The Graveyard Book, winner of the Carnegie and Newbery medals. American Gods, based on his novel, is now an acclaimed TV series. While more recently, a TV series called Good Omens has been adapted for television based on the book he wrote with Terry Pratchett.
Other prominent individuals being honoured include:
Bernard Cornwell OBE, author of the Richard Sharpe series and The Last Kingdom
Honorary Doctorate of Letters for services to History and Literature
James (Jimmy) Adams, cricketer, awarded his county cap in 2006
Honorary Fellowship for services to Cricket and support to the charity Parkinson's UK
Steven Frank BEM, educator, awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for his services to Holocaust Education
Honorary Fellowship for services to Holocaust Education
Luke Gamble FRCVS, mixed-practice vet, the CEO and founder of the charities Worldwide Veterinary Service (WVS) and Mission Rabies
Honorary Fellowship for services to Animal Welfare
Steve Furst, actor and comedian, who has appeared in many TV roles
Honorary Fellowship for services to Comedy and the Dramatic Arts
A full list of those receiving Honorary Doctorates and Fellowships this year, along with short biographies, is available here: Honoraries_Graduation_2019.
A timetable of graduation ceremonies, with details of which honorary doctorates will be awarded at each, is set out below.
Programme of Ceremonies for Graduation 2019
The Graduation 2019 procession from Abbey House to Winchester Cathedral starts at 1.45pm on Monday 14 October.
Monday 14 October at 2pm
Faculty of Education, Health and Social Care Ceremony I
Honorary Fellows: Chris Higgins and Steve Furst
Tuesday 15 October at 10.30am
Faculty of Education, Health and Social Care Ceremony II
Honorary Doctorate: Hugh Bonneville
Honorary Fellow: Steven Frank
Tuesday 15 October at 2pm
Faculty of Education, Health and Social Care Ceremony III
Wednesday 16 October at 10.30am
Faculty of Business, Law and Sport Ceremony I
Honorary Doctorate: Fran Kirby
Wednesday 16 October at 2pm
Faculty of Business, Law and Sport Ceremony II
Honorary Doctorate: Keith Cutler
Honorary Fellow: Jimmy Adams
Thursday 17 October at 10.30am
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Ceremony I
Honorary Doctorate: Bernard Cornwell
Thursday 17 October at 2pm
Faculty of Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Ceremony II
Honorary Doctorate: Kim Wilkie
Honorary Fellow: Brian Draper
Friday 18 October at 10.30am
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Ceremony III and Faculty of Arts Ceremony I
Honorary Doctorates: Ruth Valerio and Neil Gaiman
Honorary Fellow: Luke Gamble
Friday 18 October at 2pm
Faculty of Arts Ceremony II
Honorary Doctorate: Dame Judi Dench
Honorary Fellow: Tony Adigun
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