Our new honorary graduates

A degree scroll and gown for Commemoration Day

Nine honorary degrees were awarded on this year’s Commemoration Day on 15 June, which marks the foundation of the University in 1451.

Recipients from across Europe were recognised for their achievements in the fields of politics, arts, science, and humanities.

Among the recipients were two former leading political figures, Mario Monti, Italian Prime Minister from 2011 to 2013, and Mary Robinson, the first woman President of Ireland between 1990 and 1997. Others recognised on Commemoration Day include President of the National Academy of Science and Engineering in Germany and ex-Director General of the European Space Agency, Johann-Dietrich Wörner, and columnist with The Irish Times Fintan O’Toole.

Honorary degrees will also be awarded to a host of recipients during the University’s summer graduation ceremonies, from a world-leading novelist to a Nobel Prize winner.

During the summer graduation ceremonies, author of the 'Outlander' series of novels, Diana Gabaldon, will become a Doctor of Letters along with Jackie Wylie, Artistic Director and Chief Executive of the National Theatre of Scotland.

The 2021 Nobel Prize for Chemistry winner and University of Glasgow graduate Professor Sir David MacMillan will become Doctor of Science (DSc), along with Professor Dorairaj Prabhakaran, Vice President of Public Health Foundation of India.

“It is an honour to recognise the work of such distinguished people from across the world at this year’s Commemoration Day, individuals who have a made a genuine difference to so many people’s lives across the globe, the UK and here in Scotland," said Professor Anton Muscatelli, Principal & Vice-Chancellor. "Awarding honorary degrees is a way for the University to recognise the achievements of people who have made a positive impact and are world changers in their chosen fields. We look forward to celebrating their successes and welcoming them to our UofG community.”

Commemoration Day 2022

DOCTOR OF LAWS (LLD)

  • Professor Dr Sonja SNACKEN Professor Emeritus of Criminology, Penology and Sociology of Law, Vrije University Brussel

DOCTOR OF LETTERS (DLitt)

  • Professor Dr hab Zdzisław MACH Jagiellonian University, Poland
  • Fintan O’TOOLE Columnist, The Irish Times

DOCTOR OF SCIENCE (DSc)

  • Professor Gunnar VON HEIJNE University of Stockholm
  • Professor Martin LOHSE Chairman, ISAR Bioscience and ex-Scientific Director of the Max Delbruck Center for Molecular Medicine

DOCTOR OF ENGINEERING (DEng)

  • Johann-Dietrich WÖRNER President, National Academy of Science and Engineering, Germany and ex-Director General, European Space Agency

DOCTOR OF THE UNIVERSITY (DUniv)

  • Mario MONTI Former Italian Prime Minister
  • Mary ROBINSON Former President of Ireland and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
  • Dr Finian TAN Chairman, Vickers Venture Partners

Honorary Degrees Summer 2022

DOCTOR OF LAWS (LLD)

  • Dana DENIS-SMITH Founder and CEO, Obelist Support

DOCTOR OF LETTERS (DLitt)

  • Dr Diana GABALDON Author
  • Professor Sir Geoff (Godfrey) PALMER Human Rights Activist
  • Jackie WYLIE Artistic Director and Chief Executive, National Theatre of Scotland

DOCTOR OF SCIENCE (DSC)

  • Dr Aart DE GEUS Chair and Co-CEO of Synopsis
  • Professor Deborah LAWLOR Professor of Epidemiology, University of Bristol
  • Professor Sir David MACMILLAN Merck Center for Catalysis at Princeton University and Recipient of the Nobel Prize for Chemistry 2021
  • Professor Dorairaj PRABHAKARAN Vice President (Research and Policy), Public Health Foundation of India

DOCTOR OF THE UNIVERSITY (DUniv)

  • Professor Kofi ANYIDOHO Professor of English, University of Ghana
  • Etienne d’ABOVILLE Chief Executive of Glasgow Centre For Inclusive Living (GCIL)
  • Councillor Graham CAMPBELL Human Rights Activist
  • Sir Douglas Jardine FLINT Businessman
  • Corinne HUTTON Founder of Finding Your Feet Charity and Motivational Speaker

Commemoration Day 2022

This article was first published June 2022.

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