BAFTA winning actor and Olympic medal winning siblings among summer honorary graduates at Keele
A BAFTA winning actor, the first brother and sister to win medals at the same Olympic Games since 1908, and a Crown Court Judge – who campaigns against discrimination and homophobia – are among those to be awarded honorary degrees from Keele University.
The University is awarding seven honorary doctorates at its summer graduation ceremonies to inspirational people, for special recognition of their exceptional achievements in their field.
They will receive the awards alongside thousands of students who are set to graduate in ceremonies from July 14 – 18 inside the University’s Chapel – including the first cohort from the Harper & Keele Veterinary School.
(Image supplied by Keele University. Image caption: Toby Jones (centre), clockwise from top right: Professor Abid Ali Malik; Emily Ford; His Honour Judge Edward Connell; Dr Athula Attygalle; Tom Ford; Rebekah Staton.)
This year’s honours are being given to: Actor Toby Jones; who won a BAFTA for Best Male Performance in a Comedy Programme for his role in The Detectorists, played the lead role in a TV series about the Post Office scandal and portrayed Neil Baldwin, a much-loved figure on Keele campus, in the BBC TV drama “Marvellous”
Cheshire siblings Tom and Emily Ford, who won gold and bronze medals in rowing at the Paris Olympics
His Honour Judge Edward Connell, a Keele alumnus, who helped set up the Association of LGBTQ+ Judges
Fellow Keele alumnus Dr Athula Attygalle, a globally respected chemist with more than 250 peer-reviewed publications
Keele alumnus Professor Abid Ali Malik, a leading authority in global mental health, intervention science, and translational research
Staffordshire actress and writer Rebekah Staton, who is known for playing Della in Raised by Wolves, and as Louise from Pulling, for which she was nominated for a British Comedy Award.
Professor Trevor McMillan OBE, Vice-Chancellor of Keele University, said: “We’re delighted to welcome all our honorary graduates to Keele University and recognise their exceptional achievements and outstanding contribution to society. It’s particularly pleasing to have three former students who have gone on to achieve great things joining us back on our campus, while we’re also welcoming four new people into the Keele family.
“Graduation is always a special time at the University, when we celebrate with our graduates and their families and recognise all the hard work the students have put in throughout their studies. It’s an exciting time for students as they approach the next step in their lives and we wish them every success for the future.”
Richard Barnes, who served 17 years as Chief Financial Officer at Waterford Wedgwood and was a founding Director of Advantage West Midlands, the Regional Development Agency, will also be appointed to Keele’s College of Fellows.
