September 10, 2010 2.48 pm This story is over 162 months old

University gives honorary degrees to media kingpins at graduation ceremony

Guest graduates: Nine guest appearances were made at the University of Lincoln’s graduation ceremonies this week.

Nine guests received honorary degrees this week at the University of Lincoln’s graduation ceremonies, held at Lincoln Cathedral.

Among them was BBC Deputy Director General Mark Byford, Daily Telegraph editor Will Lewis, famous cricketer Sir Ian Botham (pictured), and Innocent Smoothies founder Richard Reed.

The guests received their doctorates over the four-day graduation week, alongside over 3,000 students. All of them praised the city’s university.

The occasion reminded Byford of his years in the city: “I’m honoured and really delighted to receive this award. I have very happy memories of my teenage years living in Lincoln.

“Of course the University did not exist then in the 1970s but to be recognised in this way and to receive it in Lincoln Cathedral, one of the finest buildings in the world, makes it a very personal and special moment which I will treasure.”

Outspoken journalist Yasmin Alibhai-Brown hit out at the higher education cuts by government, stating they were disastrous for the country.

“I am grateful for this honour. Universities are the arteries of Britain — my daughter goes to one next year. To cut and slash those is to drain the lifeblood of a nation.”

Human rights campaigner Baroness Helena Kennedy QC was also concerned about the cuts: “I know the University well; it has a very good law school that is doing extremely well in creating a new generation of lawyers.”

Source, Photo: University of Lincoln | Related Report: Lincolnshire Echo