University to celebrate achievements of students and community heroes at Graduation Ceremony

Community heroes from the worlds of education, law and order, healthcare and sport will join thousands of graduates celebrating their achievements at University of Gloucestershire’s 2024 Graduation Ceremonies.

One of the most important dates in the University calendar, the ceremonies (20-22 November) will provide 2,600 graduates with the opportunity to celebrate their academic accomplishments at the University with family, friends and the academic and professional teams who have supported them.

As part of the annual celebrations at Cheltenham Racecourse, the University will confer honorary awards on seven exceptional individuals from Gloucestershire who have made an outstanding contribution to the county, nationally or on the international stage.

This year’s recipients include internationally renowned rugby referee, Wayne Barnes OBE (main image), who will be awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Philosophy; award-winning businesswoman, social activist and ultra-runner, Sabrina Pace-Humphreys (below), who will be awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Philosophy; long-serving manager at Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Natalie Beswetherick, who will receive an Honorary Doctorate of Science.

Vice-Chancellor, Dame Clare Marchant, said: “We’re exceptionally proud of our hard-working, motivated and ambitious student community, and the Graduation Ceremonies are a fantastic opportunity to recognise their achievements among their family, friends and everyone who has supported them at the University.

“Obtaining a university qualification demands resilience, sacrifice and commitment, so I hope every single one of our graduates who comes up on stage to collect their award feels immense pride in what they have achieved.

“They can reflect positively on the friends they have made for life, the remarkable experiences they have been through, and the important connections they have built during their time at the University. We wish them every success as they embark on successful, rewarding and fulfilling careers as the newest members of our alumni family.

“Our relationships to communities within Gloucestershire are extremely important to us, so we’re delighted to honour a group of seven exceptional people, including close friends of the University, for the positive impact they have made on the lives of many people in our great county and far beyond its borders, as recipients of our honorary doctorates and fellowships this year.”

The Graduation Ceremonies will be presided over by Lord Michael Bichard, Chancellor of the University, and the Bishop of Gloucester, the Right Reverend Rachel Treweek, Pro-Chancellor of the University.

The full list of honorary fellowships and doctorates for 2024 is:

• Wayne Barnes OBE, recently retired internationally renowned rugby union referee who officiated in leading competitions across the world, including the Rugby World Cup, the Six Nations, the English Premiership and the Heineken Cup: Honorary Doctorate of Philosophy
• Natalie Beswetherick OBE, employed in the field of healthcare for over 40 years, including as manager of physiotherapy and orthopedic services at Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and championed the rollout of the BSc and MSc Physiotherapy programmes at University of Gloucestershire: Honorary Doctorate of Science
• Karen Morgan OBE DL, significant national portfolio career over more than 40 years in relation to a range of organisations and charities, including as vice-chair of WaterAid, and long-serving member of University of Gloucestershire’s Council: Honorary Doctorate of Philosophy
• Sabrina Pace-Humphreys, award-winning businesswoman, social justice activist, author of Black Sheep: A Story of Rural Racism, Community and Hope, and adventure athlete who co-founded the volunteer-run Black Trail Runners charity: Honorary Doctorate of Philosophy
• Paul Roberts, recently retired as Chief Executive of Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust, leading the organisation through the pandemic, and now interim CEO of Royal Devon University Healthcare Foundation Trust: Honorary Fellowship
• Gary Tucker, University of Gloucestershire alumnus, headteacher at Woodmancote Primary School and strong supporter and advocate of initial teacher education (ITE) at University of Gloucestershire, Honorary Fellowship
• Dan Wood, serving Police Sergeant with Gloucestershire Constabulary who has worked collaboratively with the University to support students on our Professional Policing degree and has been instrumental in implementing an official partnership with the University: Honorary Fellowship