University to celebrate achievements of students and honorary award recipients at Graduation Ceremony

TV stars and broadcasters, gold-medal winners and pioneers in the charity, business, health and arts sectors will soon join thousands of graduates celebrating their achievements at University of Gloucestershire’s 2023 Graduation Ceremonies.

Overseen by new Vice-Chancellor, Clare Marchant, the ceremonies (22-24 November) will provide 2,300 graduates with the opportunity to celebrate their achievements during their time at the University with family, friends and the academic and professional teams who have supported them.

As part of the celebrations at Cheltenham Racecourse, the University will confer honorary awards on 10 individuals who have made an outstanding contribution in Gloucestershire, nationally or on the international stage.

This year’s recipients include University alumna and pioneering former international footballer Karen Carney MBE and sports broadcaster, who will receive an Honorary Doctorate of Philosophy; TV presenter, interior designer and philanthropist Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, who will receive an Honorary Doctorate of Arts; and Nick Gazzard, the founder of the Hollie Gazzard Trust, which is increasing awareness of and tackling domestic abuse, who will be awarded an Honorary Fellowship.

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

Vice-Chancellor, Clare Marchant, said: “I’m absolutely delighted to be attending the University’s Graduation Ceremonies – one of the most important dates in the University’s calendar – and celebrating the achievements of our newest graduates for the first time as Vice-Chancellor.

“We’re extremely proud of our vibrant, innovative and ambitious student community, and the Graduation Ceremonies are a fabulous opportunity to recognise their academic successes among their family, friends and everyone at the University.

“We wish all our 2023 graduates every success as they embark on rewarding, meaningful and fulfilling careers, as new members of the University of Gloucestershire alumni family.

“We’re also proud to announce the names of such an outstanding group of individuals, including a number of alumni and close friends of the University, who have made a valuable contribution to Gloucestershire and beyond as recipients of our honorary doctorates and fellowships this year.”

The full list of honorary fellowships and doctorates for 2023 is:

• Teddy Burton, University of Gloucestershire alumnus and Chair of the Community Legitimacy Panel in Gloucestershire, Honorary Fellowship
• Karen Carney MBE, University of Gloucestershire alumna and pioneering former international footballer, Honorary Doctorate of Philosophy
• Dr Phil Cowburn MBE, consultant in Emergency Medicine at Bristol Royal Infirmary and North Bristol NHS Trust, Honorary Fellowship
• Chris Cundy, improviser, composer and performer, Honorary Doctorate of Music 
• Jill Douglas MBE, sports journalist and chief executive of the My Name’5 Doddie charity raising funds and awareness around MND, Honorary Doctorate of Philosophy
• Nick Gazzard, founder of the Hollie Gazzard Trust increasing awareness of domestic abuse, Honorary Fellowship
• Kylie Grimes MBE, gold medal-winning Paralympian, Honorary Doctorate of Philosophy
• Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, interior designer and philanthropist, Honorary Doctorate of Arts
• Dr Ingrid Pollard MBE, international artist and photographer, Honorary Doctorate of Arts
• Rupert Walters, social entrepreneur and business owner, Honorary Fellowship

Images, from top: Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen (credit Steve Thorp), alumna Karen Carney, Nick Gazzard and alumnus Teddy Burton