HUNDREDS of students are preparing to take the next step toward their futures as they graduate from the University of Chester this week.
Tomorrow (Friday) about 600 students will be awarded degrees and follow the well-trodden path of the university’s countless alumni to have graduated at Chester Cathedral.
Both the university’s chancellor, the Duke of Westminster, and its vice chancellor, Professor Tim Wheeler, will congratulate the graduate scholars across three ceremonies.
Prof Wheeler said: “It is always a pleasure to see so many students graduate from the setting of the magnificent cathedral in the heart of this historic city.
“It is rightly one of the proudest moments of their lives and a day to cherish with family and friends.
“These qualifications symbolise all they have achieved to date and will unlock the boundless possibilities of their futures.
“As they embark upon their new lives as graduates, we hope they will make a positive mark in their chosen fields and the communities in which they make their lives.”
During each ceremony, an eminent individual will be awarded an honorary degree for outstanding achievements in their chosen fields – on this occasion in literature, engineering and commerce.
The first ceremony at 9.30am will see Michael Arditti receive a doctor of letters in recognition of his outstanding contribution to writing and critical review.
The Cheshire-born writer has written plays, novels and criticism and is a regular broadcaster on the BBC.
He said: “I am delighted to be awarded an honorary degree by the University of Chester, which shows that, unlike prophets, novelists are received with honour in their own countries – and, in this case, county.”
The second ceremony at 11.45am will see Michael Oliver OBE receive a doctor of engineering in recognition of his outstanding contribution to British industry and manufacturing, and business entrepreneurship.
He worked in America where he designed the revolutionary gear rolling machine to produce automatic transmission gears for Ford Motor Company.
He said: “I am extremely proud to receive this prestigious honour from the university as a mark of the university’s recognition of my engineering achievements.”
The third ceremony at 3pm will see James Berresford receive a doctor of business administration in recognition of his outstanding contribution to business, tourism and the economy of the North West.
In 2009, James took up the post of chief executive of VisitEngland, the recently established official tourism body for England.
He said: “I’m so proud to receive this special honour from the University of Chester, an academic institution on top of its game and at the forefront of innovation. This is why I believe its Business School is so highly regarded countrywide.
“With so much of the tourism industry made up of small and medium enterprises, I hope to see the University of Chester producing many exciting entrepreneurs who will see the opportunity in tourism and create exciting new businesses within this very important industry.”
