University announces honours list

Singer-songwriter and former frontman of Dexy’s Midnight Runners, Kevin Rowland, and West Bromwich marathon runner Dave Heeley, known as Blind Dave, are to receive awards in September.

Bridgnorth-born former Great Britain and England hockey player Craig Parnham, who suffered a near fatal throat injury in 2001 while representing his country, will receive an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters.

Chief Executive of Virgin Trains Tony Collins and local businessman Hugh Meynell MBE, who also founded the County Air Ambulance, will be recognised.

The University will also honour Toni Fazaeli, Chief Executive of the Institute for Learning, Una O’Brien, Permanent Secretary for the Department of Health and the Imperial War Museum’s Project Director for the Holocaust Exhibition Suzanne Bardgett.

Award-winning illustrator and designer for books, comics, music and film, Dave McKean, and renowned glass sculptor David Reekie will both receive honours from the University’s School of Art & Design.

Vice-Chancellor, Professor Geoff Layer, said: “We are delighted to recognise people who have made a significant contribution to such a broad range of fields.

“Our honorary award recipients are an inspiration to our students and we look forward to welcoming them to the University in September.”

The awards will be presented at graduation ceremonies at the Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton, from Thursday, 1 September to Friday, 9 September 2011.

The full list of recipients and their awards is below.

School of Health and Wellbeing

Una O’Brien – Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science in recognition of her outstanding record of leadership in the Department of Health, for public and private service in health and social care.

School of Art & Design

David Reekie – Honorary Degree of Doctor of Arts in recognition of his eminence in English glass sculpture.

Dave McKean – Honorary Degree of Doctor of Design in recognition of his considerable contribution to British graphic novels.

School of Education

Toni Fazaeli – Honorary Degree of Doctor of Education in recognition of her considerable contribution to Post-Compulsory Education.

School of Law, Social Sciences and Communications

Suzanne Bardgett – Honorary Degree of Doctor of Arts in recognition of her significant contribution to research on survivors of Nazi Persecution.

Kevin Rowland – Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters in recognition of his significant contribution to popular culture.

University of Wolverhampton Business School

Hugh Meynell – Honorary Degree of Doctor of Business Administration in recognition of his entrepreneurial flair and business leadership.

Tony Collins – Honorary Degree of Doctor of Business Administration in recognition of his significant and successful contribution to the railway management and rail passenger service of Virgin Trains.

School of Sport, Performing Arts and Leisure

Craig Parnham – Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters in recognition of his significant contribution to the sport of hockey.

Dave Heeley – Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters in recognition of his inspirational approach to, and considerable contribution towards, charitable causes.

ENDS

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