Conductor, top physiologist and former Aberdeen Vice-Principal to be honoured at Winter Graduations

An internationally renowned conductor and a number of leading scientists and academics are among those being honoured at the University of Aberdeen's Winter graduations this week.

Dr John Smith CBE (known as Ed) will receive an honorary Doctorate of Laws (LLD) on Thursday, November 27.  Dr Smith is the former Chief Operating Officer of Global Assurance and Strategy Chairman of PricewaterhouseCoopers. He retired in 2007 from a very successful 30 year career which included many leading roles in the UK and globally. He now enjoys a variety of Board roles and is also Pro Chancellor and Chairman of Council for the University of Birmingham.

On Thursday afternoon Professor James Jordan will be awarded an honorary Doctorate of Music. Professor Jordan is an internationally recognised conductor, writer and innovator in choral music and is currently professor and senior conductor at Westminster Choir College. His recording of ‘Annelies’ received a 2013 Grammy nomination for Best Choral Performance. In 2012 he received the lorio Research Prize from Rider University.

Former University of Aberdeen Vice Principal for External Affairs Professor Albert Rodger will be honoured by the University on Friday, November 29 when he receives an honorary Doctorate of Science. Professor Rodger joined the University as a Lecturer in Engineering in 1979 and during his career he held various positions including the Head of College of Physical Sciences. Professor Rodger retired from the University earlier this year.

The same award will also be presented to Professor Frances Mary Ashcroft, the Royal Society GlaxoSmithKline Research Professor at the University Laboratory of Physiology at Oxford. In 2012, Professor Ashcroft won the top award in the L’oreal-Unesco for Women in Science Awards for her contribution to science.

Professor Sir Leszek Krzysztof Borysiewicz will also receive an honorary Doctorate of Science on Friday. Professor Sir Leszek Borysiewicz became the 345^th Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge in 2010. He was knighted in the 2001 New Year’s Honours Lists or his contribution to medical education and research into developing vaccines, including his work towards a vaccine to combat cervical cancer.

Professor Sir Ian Diamond, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Aberdeen, said: “The University of Aberdeen is delighted to recognise the achievements of such talented and distinguished individual and I would like to welcome them to the University family.

“These inspirational individuals have attained huge success in their fields and provide a strong example for our granduands of the success which they too can achieve.”