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 has this morning announced that it is awarding seven honorary doctorates at its summer graduation ceremonies this year.
Among the recipients is actor Toby Jones, who played the lead role in a TV series about the Post Office scandal and won a BAFTA for Best Male Performance in a Comedy Programme for his role in The Detectorists.
Toby, who will become Doctor of the University in recognition of his work in the field of acting, also portrayed Neil Baldwin, a much-loved figure on the Keele campus, in the BBC TV drama Marvellous.
Toby and the others being honoured will receive the awards alongside thousands of students who are set to graduate in ceremonies from 14 to 18 July inside the university’s chapel – including the first cohort from the Harper & Keele Veterinary School.
Other honours are being given to:
- Tom and Emily Ford, from Holmes Chapel, in Cheshire, who won gold and bronze medals in rowing at the Paris 2024 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.
