Honorary degrees to celebrate Commemoration Day
Published: 14 June 2017
The great and the good of science, art and business were honoured by the University of Glasgow today as part of the Commemoration Day celebrations.
The great and the good of science, art and business were honoured by the University of Glasgow today as part of the Commemoration Day celebrations.
The prestigious recipients included a Nobel Prize scientist, a world leading comic artist and an international biomedical business leader.
Seven graduates were presented with their honrary degrees during the Commemoration Day ceremony in Bute Hall. They included Nobel Prize winner Sir Paul Nurse, genenticist and cell biologist, who received a Doctor of Science; Vincent Deighan, alias Frank Quitely, a world leading comic artist for DC Comics, who received a Doctor of Letter; and Amanda MacMillan, CEO of AGS Airports Ltd and Managing Director of Glasgow Airport, who received Doctor of the University.
The awards marked Commemoration Day, the anniversary of the foundation of the University of Glasgow in 1451.
Commenting on his degree, Frank Quitely said: "It's a huge honour. It's something that wasn't an ambition of mine, it was never on my radar. I studied drawing and painting at the Glasgow School of Art but I'm afraid I got kicked out at the end of the second year for not doing enough work. So I am getting a degree at last, thirty years later! I am delighted, it feels great, it feels temendous."
Theatre Director John Tiffany said: "If you had known me as a student I would have been the least likley to be sitting there between a Dame and a Knight receiving an honorary doctorate. But I feel really proud I had an amazing time here."
Amanda McMillan OBE, CEO of AGS Airports Ltd and Managing Director of Glasgow Airport, said "It's been fabulous, a great family occasion, and a wonderful opportunity to look back over the last 25 years of my career."
Watch all the honororay graduates give their reactions to today.
Other honorary graduates included: Dame Minouche Shafik, Former Deputy Governor of the Bank of England; Robert Calderwood, former Chief Executive of Greater Glasgow & Clyde NHS Board; Sir Paul Nurse, Nobel Prize scientist; and John Shaw, international biomedical business leader.
Picture gallery of the day, with thanks to the UofG Photo Unit.
Further information contact Jane Chilton, Communications Office: Tel 0141 330 3535 / Jane.Chilton@glasgow.ac.uk
First published: 14 June 2017
<< June