A renowned folk musician and a well-known inventor are set to be awarded honorary degrees at Durham University’s winter graduation ceremonies, which are taking place this week. Kathryn Tickell OBE and Professor John C Taylor will pick up their awards as 2500 students graduate over the next two days.
The winter graduation ceremonies are being held on 12th and 13th January in the stunning venue of Durham Cathedral, part of Durham’s UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Kathryn Tickell OBE is an acclaimed player of the Northumbrian pipes and a composer. She is the founder of The Young Musicians’ Fund, which has raised £100,000 to help young people in the north east, as well as being a founder of the Festival of the North East.
Kathryn has links to Durham, having performed and recorded in Durham Cathedral and given a concert at Ushaw College. She received the Queen’s Medal for Music in 2009 and was awarded an OBE for her services to folk music in 2015.
Professor John C Taylor is an inventor and entrepreneur who, among other achievements, designed the thermostat system. His company, Strix Ltd, has won four Queen’s Awards.
As well as owning a famous collection of English clocks and watches, and designing clocks himself, Professor Taylor is a visiting professor of physics at Durham.
The vice chancellor of Durham University, Professor Stuart Corbridge, said, “Both of our honorary graduates are great innovators in their fields and I am sure our students will draw inspiration from them.”
Commenting on the students graduating from Durham, Professor Corbridge said, “Durham students benefit from an education that is challenging, difficult, enabling, research-led and transformative, delivered in an environment of world-leading and world-changing research, as well as enjoying a wider student experience to rival the best in the world.”
“This helps make our graduates among the most sought-after in the world.”
“I congratulate all our graduates and wish them every success as they embark upon a new phase in their lives.”
Durham is in the global top 50 of universities regarding the employability of its graduates by blue chip companies.
Tomorrow’s graduation ceremonies will feature special guests from Durham’s Class of 1967. These alumni have been invited back to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of their graduation.
