Meet our 2018 Honorary Graduates – Alumni Newsletter, Winter 2018
Despite biting cold and pouring rain, spirits were high when over the course of three days and six ceremonies, 1500 new graduates were proclaimed alongside the 12 inspirational individuals who received honorary degrees. As 2018 marked the centenary of women’s right to vote, York St John University awarded honorary degrees to some of the UK’s most inspiring women: Dr Helen Sharman, the first Briton in space; BBC news presenter Reeta Chakrabarti; paralympian and disability rights campaigner Anne Wafula Strike; Sue Smith, one of the most experienced players in women’s football; and Baroness of the Supreme Court Rt Hon Lady Hale. Honorary degrees were also presented to comedian, transgender activist and charity fundraiser Eddie Izzard, award-winning novelist Matt Haig, BBC Look North presenter Harry Gration, former Vice Chancellor of York St John Dianne Willcocks, CEO of the English National Opera Stuart Murphy and leading business figures Allan Leighton and Carol Kane.
Reeta Chakrabarti
Reeta Chakrabarti, who received a Doctor of Letters was first a producer, then a reporter and is now a presenter, currently presenting BBC1’s News at One, Six and Ten and bulletins on the BBC News Channel. As a community affairs correspondent, she covered the Stephen Lawrence inquest and subsequent public enquiry. She also served as a correspondent for education and for social affairs, and spent many years reporting from Westminster as a political correspondent.
Lady Hale, the Baroness of Richmond, was awarded a Doctor of Law. She is the President of the UK’s Supreme Court and is the first woman to hold this position, the pinnacle of an extraordinary, successful legal career. She is a tireless advocate for women’s right, as well as other under-represented groups in the judiciary and among lawyers.
Award-winning novelist, journalist and screenwriter Matt Haig who received a Doctor of Letters has written extensively for both adults and children and all of his adult novels have been optioned for film. His memoir of mental illness, Reasons to Stay Alive, and his latest non-fiction book, Notes on a Nervous Planet, have both been at the top of the Sunday Times bestsellers’ list.
Harry Gration
York St John alum Harry Gration also received a Doctor of Letters. Harry presents BBC Look North for the Yorkshire region, and he initially joined the program in 1982. He has been a broadcaster for over four decades. He trained as a teacher at St John’s College, a precursor of York St John University, and was Head of History at Rodillian School in Wakefield before joining BBC Radio Leeds. He has twice been named Regional Presenter of the Year at the Royal Television Society Awards, and in 2013 he received an MBE for services to broadcasting.
Allan Leighton, who received a Doctor of Letters is one of the UK’s most experienced and effective business executives. He is the first independent Non-Executive Chair of the Co-operative Group, a role he assumed in early 2015.
Stuart Murphy who was awarded a Doctor of Letters, became the Chief Executive Officer of English National Opera in April 2018. His earlier career was spent in television, including 10 years at the BBC and six at Sky.
Doctor Helen Sharman received a Doctor of Science Honorary Degree. The first Briton in space as a member of the expedition to the Russian space station, Mir, in 1991m, she was appointed a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George for her science and technology outreach work earlier this year.
Sue Smith
Sue Smith was awarded a Doctor of Health Sciences. One of the most experienced players in women’s football, Sue scored 16 goals in 93 appearances during an England career that spanned 14 years. She is now a respected commentator and pundit for the BBC and Sky Sports. She featured in the 1999 FIFA World XI, was a European Cup finalist, and won the FA International Player of the Year award in 1999 and 2001.
Professor Dianne Willcocks received a Doctor of Education. She was the first Vice Chancellor of York St John University, leading the institution through the fundamental process of relocating to a single campus in York.
Eddie Izzard
Stand-up comedian, transgender activist, actor, political campaigner, advocate for language learning, marathon runner, and charity fundraiser Eddie Izzard was awarded a Doctor of Letters. Eddie is a long-time advocate for the importance of language learning and recently spent two months in Paris devising his new stand up show in French. In 2016, Izzard completed running 27 marathons in 27 days in South Africa as a tribute to Nelson Mandela and raised over £2.6 million for Sport Relief.
Carol Kane, co-founder and joint chief executive of Boohoo, the highly successful online fashion retail group, was awarded a Doctor of Business Administration. Carol is responsible for the company’s marketing, product and brand strategy in the UK and internationally. Her background is in fashion design and illustration, and she sold her first collection (of ski-wear) while she was still a student.
Anne Wafula Strike
A Paralympian, author and campaigner, Anne Wafula Strike was awarded Doctor of Health Sciences. is a powerful and effective advocate. Through her charity – the Olympia-Wafula Foundation – she promotes healthy living solutions for differently able and disadvantaged people. She was the first wheelchair racer from East Africa to compete at the Paralympics (in Athens, 2004). She became a British citizen in 2006 and competed for Team GB; she is now a Board Member of UK Athletics.
Do you know anyone who has made a major contribution and earned national and international distinction in their field? If you do, and you wish to nominate someone for a York St John Honorary Degree, nominations are accepted all year round.
