The day is a ‘scarlet day’, on which doctors wear scarlet on their traditional black gowns, and the University’s Chancellor, The Lord Sainsbury of Turville, was present to preside over the Congregation, which was attended by more than four hundred and fifty staff, students, alumni and Civic Guests.
Those graduating on this occasion were:
The Baroness Lawrence of Clarendon, a campaigner for racial justice, police reform and strengthened community relations who founded the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust in memory of her son murdered in a racist attack, to work with disadvantaged young people. (Doctor of Law)
Dame Rosemary Cramp, a renowned archaeologist and Anglo-Saxonist who was the first female Professor in the University of Durham and was President of the Society of Antiquaries. (Doctor of Science)
Dr Jane Goodall (Newnham College) an ethologist and conservationist and a world expert on the behaviour of chimpanzees. The founder of the Jane Goodall Institute, a wildlife and environmental conservation organisation, she is a United Nations Messenger of Peace. (Doctor of Science)
Professor Michael Levitt (Peterhouse and Gonville and Caius College) a Nobel Laureate and pioneering biophysicist who has researched the molecular structure of biological compounds and made outstanding contributions to the study of proteins. (Doctor of Science)
Professor Sir Angus Deaton (Fitzwilliam College) a Nobel Laureate, economist and academic whose research focuses on poverty, inequality, health and wellbeing. (Doctor of Letters)
Professor Marilynne Robinson (Clare Hall) a Pulitzer Prize-winner who is a novelist and essayist noted for her depictions of rural life and faith and for her contributions to public debate. (Doctor of Letters)
Sir Mark Elder (Corpus Christi College) a renowned conductor who has been Music Director of the Hallé Orchestra for the last nineteen years and has worked with many of the world’s leading orchestras and opera houses. (Doctor of Music)
Flags were flown and the bells of Great St Mary’s, the University Church, rang out as the Chancellor’s procession approached the Senate-House today for the annual conferment of Honorary Doctorates, the highest accolade the University can bestow, on recipients recognised for their outstanding contributions.
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