Honorary Graduates

Honorary Graduates

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Last Updated: November 10th 2022

2019

Marcia McLaughlin

Marcia McLaughlin – Honorary Doctor of Letters

Awarded for her considerable achievements in bringing together people from all backgrounds and communities across the Commonwealth and beyond in a positive and celebratory way through the medium of the written word.

Margaret Walsh, IJS – Honorary Doctor of Laws

Awarded for her visionary and inspirational work over many years to help those who find themselves marginalised in society.

Jack Robbins

Jack Robbins – Honorary Master of Arts

Awarded in absentia in recognition of his contributions to research and scholarship in the fields of Ecclesiastical History and Church Music.

 

2018

Dr Noreen Carrocci

Noreen M Carrocci, PhD – Honorary Degree of Doctor of Education

Awarded for her outstanding contribution as an academic leader, her engagement with many charitable works, and to celebrate, in our Golden Jubilee year, the connection between Newman University, Birmingham and Newman University, Wichita, Kansas, USA.

Dr Rachel Shenton

Rachel Joy ShentonHonorary Degree of Doctor of Letters

Awarded for her outstanding contribution as an actress and screenwriter and for her dedicated charity work.

 

2017

Dr Sian Massey-Ellis

Sian Massey-Ellis MBE – Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science

Awarded for her outstanding contribution to the advancement of women’s sport and for her continuing involvement as a Physical Education teacher.

Dr Marcia Williams

Marcia Shakespeare MBE – Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws

Awarded for her tireless campaign working with young people against gangs, gun and knife crimes.

 

2016

Dr Alison Nicholas

Alison Nicholas MBE – Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science 

Awarded for her outstanding contribution to the advancement of women’s sport and for her continuing involvement with coaching and teaching golf to those aspiring to the profession

 

2015

Dr Eamon Duffy

Professor Eamon Duffy – Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters

Awarded for his distinguished academic work on the history of Christianity and for the scholarly and public impact of his research, writing and teaching.

Dr Mark Williams

Mark Williams – Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters 

Awarded for his outstanding contribution as a film and television actor.

 

2014

Dr Annette Cashmore

Professor Annette Cashmore (Deceased) – Honorary Degree of Doctor of Education 
Awarded for her distinguished contributions to learning and teaching in higher education and for her invaluable support and service to Newman University.

Dr Trevor Eve

Trevor Eve – Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters
Awarded for his outstanding contribution as a film and television actor.

Dr Verna Wilkins

Verna Wilkins – Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters
Awarded for her work as a champion for children’s literature and for her involvement with the education sector.

Mr David Wilby

David Wilby – Honorary Degree of Master of Arts
Awarded for his significant contribution to Newman University over many years.

 

2013

Edward Bond

Edward Bond – Doctor of Letters
Awarded to recognise his renowned work as a dramatist and his engagement with schools and higher education.

David Charlesworth

The Right Reverend David Charlesworth O.S.B – Doctor of Education
Awarded to recognise his commitment to providing educational opportunities for school children, exemplified by the work of the Education Department at Buckfast Abbey.

 

2012

Sister Bernadette Mary Porter
Sister Bernadette Mary Porter CBE – The Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters
Awarded for her lifelong engagement with education in schools, colleges and universities.

2011
dr john cornwell
Dr John Cornwell – Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters (UoL)
Awarded for his distinguished work as an author and his interest in the relationship between science, philosophy and theology.

dr dion dublin
Dr Dion Dublin – Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws (UoL)
Awarded for his distinguished contribution to sport and for his work with young people.

2010
dr tony benn
Dr Tony Benn (Deceased)- Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws (UoL) 
Awarded for his distinguished contribution to politics and public life.

prof michael fullan
Prof Michael Fullan – Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters (UoL)
Awarded for his distinguished contribution to educational change.

dr oona stannard
Dr Oona Stannard – Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws (UoL) 
Awarded for her distinguished contribution to Catholic Education.

dr pamela taylor
Dr Pamela Taylor – Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws (UoL) 
Awarded for her distinguished contribution to higher education.

2009
prof mona siddiqui
Prof Mona Siddiqui – Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters (UoL) 
Awarded for her distinguished contribution to religious studies and the Islam-West dialogue.

dr jane slowey
Ms Jane Slowey (Deceased) – Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws (UoL) 
Awarded for her distinguished contribution to the third sector and charitable works.

2008
dr harry christophers
Dr Harry Christophers – Honorary Degree of Doctor of Music (UoL) 
Awarded for his distinguished contribution to the world of music.

dr gulzar kanji
Dr Gulzar Kanji – Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws (UoL) 
Awarded for her outstanding and sustained contribution to early childhood and primary education.

prof alexander mcCall-smith
Prof Alexander McCall Smith – Hon Degree of Doctor of Letters (UoL) 
Awarded for his distinguished contribution to literature.

2007

dr desmond kelly
Dr Desmond Kelly – Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters (UoL) 
Awarded for his acclaimed work with the Royal Ballet Companies and his success working with disadvantaged young people.

dr brian wicker
Dr Brian Wicker – Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters (UoL) 
Awarded for his inspirational teaching and lifelong commitment to widening access to education, one of the ideals that Newman proclaims in its mission.

2006
Dr James MacMillan – Honorary Degree of Doctor of Music (UoL)
Dame Janet Trotter – Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters (UoL)
Dr Vanley Burke – Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters (UoL)
Dr Shirley Court – Honorary Degree of Doctor of Music (UoL)

2005
Dr David Almond – Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters (UoL)
The Most Reverend Dr John Sentamu – Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws (UoL)
The Rev Dr Ian Ker – Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters (UoL)

2004
Dr Margaret Robinson – Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters (UoL)
The Rt Hon Baroness Scotland of Asthal,QC – Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws (UoL)
Professor Bart McGettrick – Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters (UoL)

2003
Dr Clare Short, MP – Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws (CU)

2002
Dr Indarjit Singh – Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters (CU)

2001
Dr Joyce Sugg (Deceased) – Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters (CU)

2000
Bishop Philip Pargeter – Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters (CU)

1999
Prof Tim Brighouse – Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws (UoB)
Canon Gerard Hanlon (Deceased) – Honorary Degree of Doctor of Business Administration (CU)

1998
Dr Margaret Smart – Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws (UoB)
Canon Patrick McKinney – Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters (CU)

1997
Don Maclean – Honorary Master of Arts (UoB)

1996
Archbishop Maurice Couve de Murville (Deceased) – Honorary Degree of Doctor of Divinity (UoB)

1995
Dr Gerard Coghlan (Deceased) – Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws (UoB)
Accrediting body:
UoB – University of Birmingham
CU – Coventry University
UoL – University of Leicester

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