Award-winning journalist John Sergeant and former Metropolitan Police Commissioner Lord Blair are among the Honorary guests joining the University of Lincoln’s largest ever cohort of graduating students, as they collect their degree certificates during a week of celebrations.
The ten Graduation ceremonies, which take place at Lincoln Cathedral from Monday 2nd – Thursday 5th September 2013, will be attended by more than 14,000 people and will see 3,000 students graduate from the University.
This year’s ceremonies will also include the first cohort of bachelor’s degree students to graduate from the University of Lincoln’s new School of Engineering, which was the first dedicated facility of its kind to be created in the UK for more than 20 years. The School was built in collaboration with the global engineering company Siemens, and nine of this September’s graduates will go on to employment with the company, as they join the renowned Siemens Graduate scheme.
The students will be joined by a number of famous faces, who have been invited to accept honorary degrees in recognition of their outstanding contribution to their given fields.
In a career spanning five decades, John Sergeant has become one of the nation’s most distinguished journalists. John has reported from more than 25 countries for ITV and the BBC, for whom he was Chief Political Correspondent for 12 years. In 2008 he was a much-celebrated contestant on Strictly Come Dancing, and now he is a regular contributor to popular TV panel shows. On Tuesday 3rd September 2013, John will become an Honorary Doctor of Letters.
On the same day, Lord Ian Blair of Boughton will receive an Honorary Doctorate of Laws in recognition of his significant contribution to the Metropolitan Police Force. Lord Blair was the most senior police officer in Britain from 2005-2008, and during this time was widely regarded as a leading exponent of police reform.
They will be joined by other honorary graduates, including Chief Executive of the British Library Roly Keating, architectural historian Anne Coltman OBE, organist at Lincoln Cathedral Colin Walsh and Graham Secker, Pro Chancellor at the University of Lincoln.
Among the students graduating is Kristina Key, who will collect her degree in Health and Social Care and has particular cause for celebration after overcoming a major challenge to complete her course. Kristina suffered a debilitating head injury in 2008, just two months before she was due to begin her university career. The accident caused deterioration in her speech, weaknesses in both hands and intolerance to light. Kristina was determined to complete her degree, and she will join her peers to celebrate their shared success.
Ahead of the graduation ceremonies, Vice Chancellor Professor Mary Stuart said: “Graduation is a moment of great celebration for our students, and their friends and families, as it represents the culmination of years of hard work.
“This year we are delighted to be recognising the first cohort of graduates from the University’s new School of Engineering, who along with their peers throughout the University, have exciting prospects ahead of them. There can be few more spectacular settings to recognise their accomplishments, and those of our honorary graduates, than Lincoln Cathedral. We very much look forward to celebrating with all of our guests.”
Ceremonies take place between Monday 2nd – Thursday 5th September 2013 at 10:30am, 2:30pm or 7:30pm.