University of Glasgow announce 23 honorary doctorates for outstanding achievement

Published: 26 April 2018

The University of Glasgow is awarding 23 honorary doctorates this summer to leading figures in the arts, broadcasting, music, science, medicine and law in recognition of outstanding achievements and contributions.

View of graduates in quadrangle from the roof of the main building

The University of Glasgow is awarding 23 honorary doctorates this summer to leading figures in the arts, broadcasting, music, science, medicine and law in recognition of outstanding achievements and contributions.

Among those accepting honorary degrees on Commemoration Day – June 13 – will be Andrew Neil, recognised for his contribution to broadcasting and journalism.

Susan Calman will be honoured for her work as a broadcaster and comedian but also for highlighting mental health issues and LGBT rights.

Other degrees are being awarded to: Sandy Brindley, Chief Executive and National Co-ordinator, Rape Crisis Scotland; Dr Lena Wilson CBE, former Chief Executive of Scottish Enterprise; Pat Cassidy of Govan Workspace for his contribution to the social and economic regeneration of Glasgow; and Mr Setyono Darmono, Founder and Chairman of Jababeka Group. 

Theatre Director Dave Anderson is honoured for his contribution to the Arts in Scotland; songwriter and composer Karine Polwart will receive an Honorary Doctor of Music.

Professor David Galloway, President of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons, is honoured for his contribution to clinical skills training for medical students at the University of Glasgow and Sir Harpal S Kumar, Chief Executive Officer, Cancer Research UK, for his contribution to cancer research and cancer care.

In other summer Graduations at the University, the Scottish composer John Maxwell Geddes, who died in September last year, is posthumously awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Music for his contribution as a “composer, educator and ambassador for our cultural life”.

Also honoured is Reverend Dr Angus Morrison, the former Moderator of the Church of Scotland, for his contribution to championing Gaelic, refugee and asylum seekers and changing attitudes within the Church to same sex relationships.

Professor Gabriela Gonzalez, Professor of Physics at Louisiana State University will be honoured for her contribution to research on gravitational waves.

The Lord Advocate, James Wolffe, will receive his honorary degree in his home town of Dumfries for his contribution to the law and public service in Scotland and beyond.

Also at the Crichton campus in Dumfries, Fiona Armstrong, Lady MacGregor of MacGregor, the journalist, broadcaster and author, will receive an Honorary Doctor of the University.


Full List of Honorary Doctorates 2018
Commemoration Day - 13 June 2018

DOCTOR OF LETTERS (DLitt)
Dave Anderson, Theatre Director

DOCTOR OF MUSIC (DMus)
Karine Polwart, Songwriter and Composer

DOCTOR OF SCIENCE (DSc)
Professor David Galloway, President of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons
Sir Harpal S Kumar, Chief Executive Officer, Cancer Research UK

DOCTOR OF THE UNIVERSITY (DUniv)
Sandy Brindley, Chief Executive and National Co-ordinator, Rape Crisis Scotland
Susan Calman, Comedian and broadcaster
Pat Cassidy, Govan Workspace Ltd
Mr Setyono Darmono, Founder and Chairman of Jababeka Group
Andrew Neil, Broadcaster
Dr Lena Wilson CBE, former Chief Executive of Scottish Enterprise

Summer Graduations 2018

DOCTOR OF LETTERS (DLitt) – Glasgow School of Art 15 June
Sam Ainsley, Formerly of the Glasgow School of Art (GSA)
David Harding OBE, Formerly of the Glasgow School of Art (GSA)
Sandy Moffat, Formerly of the Glasgow School of Art (GSA)
Juliet Kinchin, Curator, Museum of Modern Art

DOCTOR OF DIVINITY (DD)
Reverend Dr Angus Morrison – 26 June 11am
Minister of the Church of Scotland

DOCTOR OF LAWS (LLD)
Professor Paola Severino – 25 June 11am
Rector of LUISS University in Rome

Right Honourable James Wolffe – Dumfries 3 July
Lord Advocate

DOCTOR OF MUSIC (DMus)
John Maxwell Geddes – 25 June 11am
Composer

DOCTOR OF SCIENCE (DSc)
Professor Gabriela Gonzalez – 27 June 11am
Professor of Physics, Louisiana State University

Professor Marc Pfeffer - 21 June 11am
Victor J. Dzau Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School

DOCTOR OF ENGINEERING (DEng)
Professor Robert McMeeking – 20 June 11am
Tony Evans Professor of Structural Materials, University of California

DOCTOR OF THE UNIVERSITY (DUniv)
Dr Fiona Armstrong – Dumfries 3 July
Lord Lieutenant of Dumfries

First published: 26 April 2018

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