Graduation

Musical star Michael Ball, multiple award-winning artists Gilbert and George, and former Secretary of State for Education Lord Kenneth Baker are to be recognised for their achievements with Honorary Doctorates from Plymouth University this year. Britain’s most celebrated designer Sir Kenneth Grange, journalists Kate Adie and Adam Boulton, Dartmoor Zoo owner and best-selling author Benjamin Mee, acclaimed choreographer Wayne McGregor, and former Dragon Doug Richard are also set to be honoured. They will join a cohort of thousands graduating on Plymouth Hoe this month – the sixth year that the event has been held in marquees overlooking the Sound. Michael Ball will be presented with an Honorary Doctorate of Arts on Friday 20th September, bringing him back to the city where he grew up and where he first became involved in youth theatre The globally-renowned modern artists Gilbert and George will receive their Honorary Doctorate of Arts on Monday 16th September. It too will mark the ‘home-coming’ of Plymouth-born George, whose work with Italian Gilbert has won a host of awards including The Turner Prize and the South Bank Award. Professor Wendy Purcell, Vice-Chancellor, said: “Graduation Week is one of the highlights of Plymouth University’s calendar, bringing over 20,000 visitors to our city to celebrate the achievements of our students as graduates. “And we’re delighted and honoured to be able to confer honorary doctorates upon a truly inspirational and influential group of leading international figures of high repute, who reflect the University’s wide-ranging interests and mission, from marine science to media, cutting-edge technology to contemporary art and design – with the spirit of enterprise throughout.