News - Alastair Stewart to Receive Honorary Doctorate From University of Plymouth
ITN newsreader Alastair Stewart is to be honoured for his achievements in journalism during the University of Plymouth's Graduation Week for 2010.
Alastair, who has anchored every major news programme on the ITV News Channel, and earlier this year hosted the first ever General Election leadership debate, will be presented with a Doctorate of Letters at a ceremony on Plymouth Hoe this month. Alastair follows in the footsteps of fellow ITV legend Sir Trevor Macdonald OBE, who received a Doctorate of Letters from the University in 1993.
Also being honoured among the 2010 honorary cohort is BBC presenter and recent Celebrity Masterchef finalist Dick Strawbridge, who will receive a Doctorate of Science, and Culture Show host and art critic Andrew Graham-Dixon, who will be awarded a Doctorate of Arts.
Sheikh Mubarak, heir to the Kuwait throne and Chief of Maritime Operations in the country, will receive a Doctorate of Science, while Tom Henderson, founder of disaster relief charity ShelterBox, will receive a Doctorate of Business.
In total, the University will confer 20 honorary awards as part of its Graduation Week, which is hosted on Plymouth Hoe from September 20-25.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Wendy Purcell said: "We have a distinguished set of Honorary Doctorates for 2010 who embody the spirit of enterprise and discovery that characterise both Plymouth's heritage and our vision for the future.
"The University is very proud of all of its graduates, and is looking forward to welcoming them and their families to the City, and our spectacular setting on the Hoe for Graduation Week."
Once again this year, the University is hosting a number of other high profile events in the Graduation marquees. On Tuesday 14 September it will be staging its inaugural Science and Technology Showcase and Research Centres Expo, entitled Explore Dream Discover, which is open to the general public from 1.30pm - 4.30pm.
On the evening of Thursday 16th is the second annual Vice-Chancellor's Enterprise Awards, which will see individuals from the business, public and community sectors as well as University staff, students and alumni, honoured for their enterprising work in the region.
On Friday 17 September, Bluestone 360 is organising a Hollywood-themed ball in the graduation marquee for Plymouth-based charity Jeremiah's Journey - an organisation that helps bereaved children and their parents or carers when they have lost somebody close.
And on Saturday 18th will be the Partners through Sport Sports Celebration Dinner 2010, when a number of people from across Plymouth will receive colours in recognition of their work to encourage participation in sport.
This year's University of Plymouth honorary graduates are:
. Richard Bayly, Deputy Regional Director for Economy Growth and Regeneration in the Government Office South West, who will receive an Honorary Doctorate of Business on Tuesday 21 September;
. Christine Beasley, Chief Nursing Officer, who will receive an Honorary Doctorate of Science on Saturday 25 September;
. Matthew Bourne, acclaimed choreographer and director, who will receive an Honorary Doctorate of Arts on Friday 24 September;
. Eric Dancer, the former Managing Director of Dartington Crystal and renowned training and development advisor, who will be awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Business on Tuesday 21 September;
. Roma French, founder of drug-support centres Trevi House and Hamoaze House, who will be awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Health on Saturday 25 September;
. Christopher Gates, Managing Director of Princess Yachts International, who will be presented with an Honorary Doctorate of Business on Wednesday 22 September;
. Andrew Graham-Dixon, art critic and television presenter, who will be presented with an Honorary Doctorate of Arts on Friday 24 September;
. Jane Henderson, Chief Executive of the South West of England Regional Development Agency, who will be presented with an Honorary Doctorate of Business on Tuesday 21 September;
. Tom Henderson, founder of ShelterBox, who will receive an Honorary Doctorate of Business on Monday 20 September;
. Thelma Holt, award-winning theatre producer, who will receive an Honorary Doctorate of Arts on Friday 24 September;
. Carleen Keleman, Director of the Convergence Partnership Office for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, who will be awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Business on Tuesday 21 September;
. Jonathan Kestenbaum, Chief Executive of NESTA, the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts, who will be awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Technology on Monday 20 September;
. Freddie Knox, former aide and confidante to the Astor family, who will be presented with an Honorary Doctorate of Humanities on Friday 24 September;
. Heather Maxwell, former Principal of South Devon College, who will receive an Honorary Doctorate of Education on Thursday 23 September;
. Sheikh Mubarak, member of the Kuwait Royal Family and Chief of Maritime Operations, who will receive an Honorary Doctorate of Science on Wednesday 22 September;
. Mary Quicke, agricultural entrepreneur, who will receive and Honorary Doctorate of Science on Wednesday 22 September;
. David Spiegelhalter, scientist and eminent risk-analysis expert, who will be awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Science on Wednesday 22 September;
. Alastair Stewart, ITV news presenter and journalist, who will be presented with an Honorary Doctorate of Letters on Tuesday 21 September;
. Dick Strawbridge, television presenter, who will be awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Science on Thursday 23 September;
. Simon Tonge, Executive Director of the Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust, who will be presented with an Honorary Doctorate of Science on Monday 20 September.