Stars Of Pitch and Public Service To Receive Honorary Awards
23 November 2011
Dianne Jeffrey, former Chair of the University's Governing Council, will become an Honorary Doctor of the University.
BBC Radio 5 Live's Chief Football Correspondent Mike Ingham will become an Honorary Master of the University.
Veteran community activist George Mighty will become an Honorary Master of the University.
Sporting excellence and community service figure strongly among those chosen to receive an Honorary Award from the University of Derby.
Around 2,000 students will graduate from the University at its annual Awards Ceremonies on January 19 and 20, next year (2012), in the Great Hall at the Assembly Rooms in Derby city-centre.
Joining them will be recipients of Honorary Awards, chosen for their contribution to their field, who also share a strong connection to Derbyshire.
The 2012 honorary graduates will be:
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Archie Gemmill - to be made an Honorary Master of the University (HonMUniv):
Former footballer Archie Gemmill represented Scotland 43 times.
Brian Clough and Peter Taylor brought Archie to Derby County in 1970, where he played for seven years. During that time Derby County won the League Championship twice. In retirement Archie has remained active in the sport, from coaching to supporting local and national football initiatives. -
Mike Ingham MBE - Honorary Master of the University (HonMUniv):
Mike is BBC Radio 5 Live's Chief Football Correspondent. A veteran broadcaster, he began his career at BBC Radio Derby in 1973. Since he began commentating on football in 1984 Mike has covered 25 FA Cup Finals and seven World Cups. In 2010 Mike was awarded an MBE for services to sports broadcasting. -
Dianne Jeffrey CBE - Honorary Doctor of the University (HonDUniv):
Dianne is an inspirational servant of her community. An ardent supporter of lifelong learning, she promotes the value of older people within society and in celebrating people's achievements. Dianne has been an Honorary Colonel of the Derbyshire Army Cadet Force since 2003 and is also a Deputy Lieutenant.
Dianne was Chair of the University's Governing Council from 1999 to 2011, and is the founder and current Chair of Age UK. In 2011 Dianne was awarded a CBE in recognition of her contribution to public service. -
George Mighty MBE - Honorary Master of the University (HonMUniv)
George has been active in the Derby community for almost 50 years. He has been part of the Derby West Indian Community Association since 1962, and its Chair since 1986. He has invested immeasurable time and energy into improving the city's social cohesion. George's beliefs are rooted in his earlier career as a teacher, bringing inspiration and promoting the value of education. George was awarded an MBE in 1990 for his voluntary work. -
Don Amott - Honorary Doctor of the University (HonDUniv):
Since leaving school aged 15 Don has built up a multi-million pound empire, which employs hundreds of people across Derbyshire and Lincolnshire.
He was previously co-owner of Derby County Football Club and is currently its Honorary Vice-President. Don was also Chairman of Derbyshire County Cricket Club. He continues to head-up his businesses and enjoys putting money back into the community, keenly sponsoring several local sports teams and clubs. -
Dr Emmanuel Cooper OBE - Honorary Doctor of Fine Art (HonDFA):
An internationally distinguished working potter, writer, exhibition creator and lecturer. His first solo show was in London in 1968 and he continues to exhibit. He is the author of many books on ceramics and was awarded an OBE for services to the arts. -
Liz Burnley CBE DL - Honorary Doctor of the University (HonDUniv):
Liz has been a Girlguiding UK volunteer all her adult life and recently stood down as Chief Guide after five years. She received a CBE in 2010 for services to young people.
As well as her Girlguiding UK work she is an active volunteer with the Motor Neurone Disease Association and a trustee of the WRVS (formerly the Women's Royal Voluntary Service). Liz is currently an NHS non-Executive Director, works in the North-East for the Cranfield Trust, is a member of the Fitness to Practise Committee of the General Pharmaceutical Council and is studying for a PhD in Community Health at the University of Nottingham.
Professor John Coyne, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Derby, said: "The University has always been very fortunate in the calibre of individuals accepting its Honorary Awards and the 2012 Awards Ceremonies will be no exception.
"We have three great supporters of British sport, three champions of work in the community, and an academic and artist at the top of his field. I am very much looking forward to seeing them honoured by the University in January.
"It is a very real personal pleasure that amongst them will be our former Chair of Governing Council, Dianne Jeffrey. Dianne's inspirational guidance of our University over the past nine years has been pivotal in creating our current success."
Before the Derby Awards in January, the University's Buxton Campus will host its own graduation ceremony this year (2011) on Saturday December 3. The Honoraries at that ceremony will be former High Peak MP Tom Levitt and Andrew Pugh, Managing Director of the Heights of Abraham tourist attraction in Matlock.
For more information about all the University's upcoming Awards Ceremonies see website www.derby.ac.uk/graduation
For further media information please contact Press and PR Officer Sean Kirby on 01332 591891 or 07876 476103, or email
s.kirby@derby.ac.uk.
