Serious or Celeb latest
A post some time ago on Honorary Degree recipients noted that almost all of them fall clearly into one of two categories: they are either serious or celeb. The most recent post on this topic has more worthy recipients, mainly in the celeb category it has to be said.
Basically, if you are a serious academic, no matter how outstanding your research, if you haven’t got your own TV series or popular science book, you really aren’t going to get the headlines. But maybe some of these awards are for real sustained and serious achievement in a field rather than simply for reasons attached to fleeting celebrity:
- Kevin Phillips, former Sunderland footballer, was honoured by Sunderland University, presumably for being good at football.
- Newcastle University awarded an Honorary to Angela Ripon for her distinguished broadcasting career. And presumably not for her contribution to the nation’s fitness:
- Steve Winwood, a musician with a long and distinguished career, and Lizzy Yarnold, a more recent sporting achiever, were honoured by the University of Gloucestershire.
- A couple of notable politicians were recognised last year. Julia Gillard was awarded an Honorary by Victoria University and John Kerry was recognised by Boston College. One which might raise a few eyebrows is the honouring of George W Bush by Harvard:
Former President George H. W. Bush received one of eight honorary degrees at Harvard’s 363rd Commencement Exercises on Thursday. “With faith courage, and service true, his eyes ever fixed on points of light, he piloted our nation through changeful skies,” University President Drew G. Faust said as she awarded the 41st president of the United States a Doctor of Laws degree.
- Jim Carrey picked up an honorary degree last year, from the internationally renowned Maharishi University of Management. His Doctorate in Fine Arts (or something) was presumably in recognition of his acting career in movies such as Dumb & Dumber. And Dumb & Dumber To.
- P J Harvey, was recognised by Goldsmiths in 2014 for her substantial contribution to popular music. A well-deserved one this for an artist who would be unlikely to be described as easy listening.
- Boston University’s decision to award Bill Cosby an Honorary last May is something they may now be reconsidering.
- Anne Wood one of the originators of Teletubbies, received an Honorary from Sheffield University.
And finally, there is this irresistible combination of both serious and celeb at Derby:
The artist behind the Tower of London poppies installation has been given an honorary degree by the University of Derby.
Paul Cummins, who was appointed MBE in the New Year Honours, has been made an Honorary Master of Arts.
He graduated from the university in 2010 with a BA (Hons) Craft degree and set up his own business, Paul Cummins Ceramics, based on Pride Park in Derby.
He is currently working on a PhD at the university.
Particular congratulations to Mr Cummins who, had he not been enrolled on PhD, might have found himself with an Honorary Doctorate instead.
No doubt there are many others I’ve missed.
