University to honour nine at summer ceremonies

Nine notable personalities will receive an honorary degree from Glasgow Caledonian University next week.

Graduates at the ceremonies will hear inspirational words from former Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard, Biify Clyro star Simon Neil and author Bernardine Evaristo OBE.

At the ceremonies, graduates will also hear messages from the University's leadership team, including Chancellor Dr Annie Lennox OBE and Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Pamela Gillies CBE.

Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Pamela Gillies CBE FRSE, said: “Graduation ceremonies are very special events at which the whole University community comes together as one to celebrate the considerable achievements of our talented students, all of whom are strongly committed to our mission for the common good.

“Graduations also afford us the opportunity to welcome distinguished individuals into our GCU family as honorary graduates. This year we are privileged indeed to honour many worthy recipients. They all share a deeply held core set of values that align with our own. They authentically live these values and are an inspiration to us all.”

The University will award honorary degrees to the following:

Julia Gillard, Doctor of Laws (LLD) has been recognised for her outstanding commitment to the advancement of gender equality and access to education. Julia is a former Prime Minister of Australia.

Simon Neil, Doctor of Letters (DLitt) in recognition of his continued inspiration to all creatives the world over. Simon is a vocalist, guitarist and songwriter from the band Biffy Clyro.

Ricky Ross, Doctor of Letters (DLitt) has been recognised for his outstanding contribution to Scottish music and culture, and support of the GCU Archive Centre. Ricky is a broadcaster and singer/songwriter for the band Deacon Blue.

Vicky Wright MBE, Doctor of Science (DSc) has been recognised for her outstanding contribution to public wellbeing through her work at the front line of nursing and her recent success in the Olympic Games.

Jonny Benjamin MBE, Doctor of Letters (DLitt) has been recognised for his outstanding commitment and contribution to mental health services and suicide prevention. Jonny is a mental health campaigner, author and vlogger. In January 2014, he launched a social media campaign called 'Find Mike' to search for a stranger who had talked him out of taking his own life in 2008.

Ian Urquhart CBE, Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) has been recognised for his outstanding leadership, development and senior management of quality iconic Scottish products, notably Cashmere and whisky, with a wealth of other contributions across many sectors.Chairman of Johnston's of Elgin, a Scottish company, established in 1797 and known for its high-end cashmere products, Ian is a past director of Food & Drink Scotland, and was heavily involved in the whisky industry, being managing director of Gordon & MacPhail.

Daniel Schwartz, Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) has been recognised for his outstanding contribution to philanthropy, having been at the forefront for more than 20 years as a leader in the non-profit, philanthropic and corporate sectors, specialising in donor collaborations, multi-stakeholder engagements, and public-private partnerships.

Major Patrick Burgess MBE, Doctor of Science (DSc) has been recognised for his active promotion of and commitment to improving positive mental health and wellbeing for military personnel and civilians, through the embedding of mindfulness programmes in military training that are also accessible to the general public.

Bernardine Evaristo OBE, Doctor of Letters (DLitt) has been recognised for her outstanding contribution to literature and human rights. She has won many prizes for her literary works over the years, including the Booker Prize in 2019 and the British Book Awards: Fiction Book of the Year and Author of the Year in 2020. She is a longstanding advocate for the inclusion of writers and artists of colour.

The ceremonies  can be watched live via the following stream: https://www.gcu.ac.uk/currentstudents/essentials/graduation/graduationday