HONORARY GRADUATES :: LINK MAGAZINE 17
Former Head of Alumni Relations, Sue Curley, is honoured Comedian Lee Mack receives his Honorary Doctorate
Honorary fellows
Honorary graduates
Honorary Fellowships were awarded to retired staff who have made an exceptional contribution to the university, or to friends of Brunel that have developed strong relationships/partnerships with us.
The University awards Honorary Doctorates in recognition of outstanding scholarly achievement, services to the university, or to the local, national or international community. Our latest honorary graduates include alumnus, Lee Mack, who was awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Humanities for his outstanding services to the arts. Lee, who graduated from Brunel with a degree in Drama with Film & Television Studies in 1996, commented that his time at university literally changed his life; not only did it inspire him to take the plunge into comedy, but Brunel was also where he met his wife Tara. Talking about his time at Brunel, he said: “It was during my time as a student at Brunel that I started performing stand-up comedy. I was worried that my ambitions wouldn’t fit in with the ethos of such an academic institution, but they couldn’t have been any more supportive, regularly letting me turn part of their building into a stand-up comedy club where I performed many of my early gigs. I am proud to have been honoured by and associated with such an institution.”
The other recipients were: Dr Robert John OBE, Director General Emeritus of TWI Doctor of Engineering Judith Knight MBE, co-Director and founder of Artsadmin Doctor of Humanities Professor Conor Gearty, Barrister, founder member of Matrix Chambers and Human Rights Law expert - Doctor of Laws Professor John Brewer, Sociologist, active contributor to Northern Ireland Peace Process Doctor of Social Sciences
This year, fellowship recipients included Sue Curley who coordinated Brunel’s Alumni Relations programme from its inception in the early 1990s through to her retirement in 2011.
The other recipients were: Carol Bagnald, HSBC Regional Commercial Director, London Marianne Bevis, former Head of Publications Denise Bufton, former Head of Student Services Professor Stephen A Greyser, Visiting Professor and Advisory Board member
Professor Rajiv Hanspal, Medical Director at the Royal Hospital for Neuro-Disability, Putney Doctor of Science
John Hall, Chair of Eversheds LLP
Rory Sutherland, Vice-Chairman of Ogilvy UK - Doctor of Letters
Robert Lougee, former University Council member
The Rt Hon Baroness Hayman GBE first elected Lord Speaker of the House of Lords - Doctor of Laws
John Thirkettle, local community sports advocate
Thomas Webb, former MD of the London Tourist Board and Convention Bureau and former Brunel Council Chair Doctor of the University
Peter Hall, Worshipful Company of Water Conservators and Brunel alumnus
Bob Westaway, former Head of Registry For further details about the recipients, visit www.brunel.ac.uk/about/people.