|
The
three distinguished figures who will be awarded Honorary Doctorates
from the University are the high profile academic, Professor Sir
Ronald Cooke, childrenÂ’s author, Dick King-Smith and broadcaster,
Sir Trevor McDonald, OBE.
Sir
Ronald Cooke
Sir
Ron Cooke has had a distinguished career as a geographer, and is
a former President of the Royal Geographical Society.
Sir
Ron led several major UK initiatives in Higher Education as Chair
of the Learning and Teaching Committee of the Higher Education Funding
Council for England.
Since
his retirement in 2003, Sir Ron has taken over chairmanship of the
Joint Information Systems Committee (JISC) reflecting his interest
in the potential of electronic communication for enhancing learning
opportunities.
He
was knighted for services to Higher Education in 2002 and has had
academic involvement with staff in the University of Gloucestershire
School of Environment for many years.
Most
recently, he has supported the School in developing and promoting
its expertise in teaching and learning nation-wide.
Dick
King-Smith
Dick
King-Smith has spent much his life in Gloucestershire. Now in his
eighties, the childrenÂ’s author has worked as a farmer, a primary
school teacher and fought in the Second World War before turning
his hand to writing.
He
is best known as the creator of The Sheep Pig, which was made into
the Academy Award winning film, Babe. The novel also won the Guardian
Fiction Award 1984, and he was named as ChildrenÂ’s Author of
the Year in 1992.
Dick
has written over 100 books that have been translated into 12 languages.
His autobiography, Chewing the Cud was widely acclaimed and was
named as Publishers Weekly Best ChildrenÂ’s Book in 2002.
Sir
Trevor McDonald
Sir
Trevor McDonald is one of the countryÂ’s best-known broadcasters.
Sir Trevor currently presents the ITV News at 10.30 and the current
affairs programme, Tonight with Trevor McDonald.
Sir
Trevor began his television career in Trinidad in 1962, before joining
the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ World Service in 1969. His prolific broadcasting career
spans five decades, and he has been the recipient of many awards,
including a Royal Television Society Gold Medal in 1998 and the
BAFTA Richard Dimbleby Award for Outstanding Contribution to Television
in 1999. In the same year, Sir Trevor was awarded a Knighthood in
the QueenÂ’s Birthday Honours List.
The
University is honouring Sir Trevor for his services to broadcast
journalism, and it is hoped that he will also maintain an interest
in the broadcast journalism programmes offered at the Pittville
Campus.
Lifetime
achievements
Dame
Janet Trotter, Vice Chancellor and Principal of the University of
Gloucestershire said:
“We
are delighted to honour these outstanding individuals in recognition
of their lifetime achievements and their ability to inspire others.
We look forward to welcoming them to our graduation ceremonies later
this year.”
The
award ceremonies will take place on 4th & 5th November at The
Centaur, Cheltenham Racecourse.
If
you would like to comment on this story get in touch at gloucestershire@bbc.co.uk
or have your say on our
|
Over
2,000 students will be graduating from the University of Gloucestershire
and some famous names, who will be receiving Honorary Doctorates,
will be joining them.
