‌Honorary Grads Summer 2018 Front left to right

Ten honorary degrees were today awarded to distinguished people in their fields by the University of Glasgow

All 10 received their honorary degrees from Professor Sir Kenneth Calman, the University’s Chancellor at a ceremony in the Bute Hall.

They included broadcaster & journalist Andrew Neil and the comedian & broadcaster Susan Calman.

‌The awards marked Commemoration Day, the anniversary of the foundation of the University of Glasgow in 1451.

Andrew Neil, was born in Paisley, is a distinguished journalist, editor and broadcaster. Mr Neil’s first newspaper editorship came in 1969 when he took over the University’s student newspaper the Glasgow Guardian, while studying Political Economy & Politics, later gaining his MA in 1972. A former editor of the Sunday Times, Mr Neil has fronted political programmes for the BBC since the 1990s including the Daily Politics and This Week.

He is recognised for his contribution to broadcasting and journalism and said: "It feels great. It's the best award I've ever had. It is worth more than a knighthood, a peerage or anything like that. To get an honorary degree from my old University is wonderful."

Another graduate of the University of Glasgow, Susan Calman graduated with a law degree in 1996 and gained a Diploma in Legal Practice the following year. She left the legal profession in 2006 when she decided it wasn’t for her. Today she is a successful comedian, panellist and performer, as well as, a talented television and radio presenter. She is being awarded her honorary degree for her work not only as a broadcaster and comedian but for highlighting mental health issues and LGBT rights.

Other recipients of honorary degrees on June 13 include:-

  • Dave Anderson, Theatre Director
  • Sandy Brindley, Chief Executive and National Co-ordinator, Rape Crisis Scotland
  • Pat Cassidy of Govan Workspace for his contribution to the social and economic regeneration of Glasgow. 
  • Mr Setyono Darmono, Founder and Chairman of Jababeka Group
  • Professor David Galloway, President of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons
  • Sir Harpal S Kumar, Chief Executive Officer, Cancer Research UK
  • Karine Polwart, Songwriter and Composer
  • Dr Lena Wilson CBE, former Chief Executive of Scottish Enterprise

Professor Anton Muscatelli, Principal and Vice Chancellor of the University of Glasgow, said: “Today we have honoured and acknowledged individuals who have achieved exceptional levels of success and who have made a great contribution to their fields, not just in Scotland, but also across the UK and around the world.

“We are delighted to celebrate the successes of all our graduates and are delighted to share this special day with them and look forward to working with them more closely in the future.”

A further group of awards are being made during the summer graduations 2018.

Commemoration 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 and journalist
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)
Juliet Kinchin, Curator, Museum of Modern Art, New York
Sandy Moffat, Formerly of the Glasgow School of Art (GSA)

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, Composer, (Posthumously) – 25 June 11am

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

First published: 13 June 2018

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