Dr Sheena McDonald will receive the honorary degree of Doctor of Letters (DLitt) in recognition for her work as a radio and television journalist and her lifelong support for many branches of the creative and performing arts. For while Sheena McDonald's contribution to the artistic life of Scotland may be less well known than her public success in media journalism, her presence on the boards of almost every major arts organisation in the country has been very active.

Former post-graduate of the University, Keenan Smart will receive the Degree of Doctor of Science (DSc) in recognition for the major contributions as an outstanding wild life film-maker. After graduating from Glasgow University, he worked on the BBC series 'Flight of the Condor' which won six international awards. Keenan continued at the BBC to film nature in a wide variety of exotic and remote locations producing numerous award-winning programmes for many series including 'Wild Life on One' the 'Natural World' and the 'Trials of Life'. In 1991, after 14 years with the BBC, he was head-hunted by National Geographic where he has worked for the past 12 years as Head of National Geographic Television's Natural History Unit. Here his films have earned numerous 'Emmys' from the National Academy of Television Arts and Science for excellence in television.

Rt Hon Michael Martin MP, Speaker of the House of Commons and MP for Glasgow Springburn, will receive the honorary degree Doctor of the University (DUniv) in recognition for his services to politics and his strong links with the city of Glasgow. A title that dates back to 1377, Michael Martin is the fourth Labour Speaker, the second Scottish Speaker and the first Catholic Speaker since the Reformation.

Major General Leslie Francis Harry Busk will receive the honorary degree of Doctor of the University (DUniv) in recognition of his commitment to cardiovascular disease research. As Director General of the British Heart Foundation, Leslie Busk has also generously shared his in-depth knowledge and experience of fundraising and fund management with other charities at home and abroad. He chairs the Executive Council of the Association of Medical Research Charities, some sixty in number, which aims to facilitate and encourage best practice in the work of its members.

Augustine (Gus) Thomas O'Donnell, Permanent Secretary, HM Treasury, and a former lecturer in Economics at the University will receive the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws (LLD). Whilst his status as a senior civil servant is in itself worthy of recognition, Gus O'Donnell has also made a huge contribution to the economics profession. As head of the Government Economic Service he has made huge efforts to attract the best economics graduates and to improve the quality of the training of these recruits. Gus has also been instrumental in bolstering the links between policymakers and academic economists, and he serves on the Council of the Royal Economic Society

Sir Lewis Robertson, best known to Scotland's Universities as the former Chairman of the Carnegie Trust for the Universities of Scotland will receive the honorary degree of Doctor of the University (DUniv). As beneficiaries of the Carnegie Trust, the Universities of Scotland are indebted to the Trust, and to Sir Lewis, and it is recognition of this and his long-term support of lifelong learning that Sir Lewis is to be honoured.

Najib Budeiri will receive the honorary degree of Doctor of the University (DUniv) in recognition of his support and hard work as President and founder of The Friends of Glasgow University

The Commemoration Day Ceremony will take place in the Bute Hall, University of Glasgow and begins at 11.15am.

Media Relations Office (media@gla.ac.uk)

Keenan Smart will give a talk titled 'Giant hornets, wolf packs and colossal squids: a day in the life of National Geographic Television' and show some of his films at 4pm on Wednesday 18th June 2003 in Lecture Theatre 1, Boyd Orr Building

Copies of complete orations available from the University of Glasgow Press Office

Press / cameras will be admitted to the gallery of the Bute Hall and should enter by turret G before 11.15am

There will be informal photo opportunities at the end of the Commemoration Ceremony at approximately 12.30 in the East Quad.

For further details please contact the press office on 0141 330 3535 / 3683

First published: 18 June 2003