At the University of Aberdeen’s annual, winter graduation ceremonies at Marischal College this week, leading figures from the worlds of further education, sport, business, medicine and music will be honoured.
On Friday, November 25, prominent Scottish sportswoman Tracey Robb, Principal of Banff & Buchan College Robert Sinclair, and Musician Bryan Dargie, will each receive honorary degrees.
On Saturday, November 26, prominent North-east businessman George Stevenson, Chief Executive of the Medical Research Council and Waynflete Professor of Physiology at the University of Oxford Colin Blakemore, and Former Chairman of the Scottish Arts Council and Cultural Commission, James Boyle, will each receive honorary degrees.
Friday, 25 November, at 3.00pm
Tracey Robb, Scottish Sportswoman, Degree of Doctor Honoris Causa
Tracey Robb has enjoyed a brilliant career as a leading Scottish sportswoman. Over a period of 17 years she played hockey with the Glasgow Western Club, and for Scotland and Great Britain. Tracey Robb was the national squad's No 1 goalkeeper for many years and captain of the Scotland squad at the Commonwealth Games in Manchester. She also experienced two World Cups, along with numerous European Cups and world-class tournaments before retiring from the game in 2003. Tracey Robb’s success as a sportswoman alone is remarkable but in parallel with this she achieved a first class honours degree from the University of Aberdeen and a partnership with one of Scotland’s top legal firms.
Robert Sinclair, Principal, Banff & Buchan College, Degree of Doctor Honoris Causa
Robert Sinclair has been Principal & Chief Executive of Banff & Buchan College since 2000. Mr Sinclair, born and brought up in Fraserburgh, initially served in the Merchant Navy, attaining the rank of Master Mariner. He worked in the offshore oil Industry from 1973 until 1988, when he began his long association with Banff & Buchan College. In 1992 he became the first Principal of North Atlantic Fisheries College in Shetland. Robert Sinclair returned to Banff & Buchan College in 1995 as Depute Principal. His tenure as Depute Principal, then Principal, has been a period of great change. He has overseen expansion of the College, and been deeply involved in the growing relationship between the Further and Higher Education Sectors.
Bryan Dargie, Musician, Degree of MUniv
For a number of years Bryan Dargie, a graduate of the University of Aberdeen, played with leading London orchestras, including the Royal Philharmonic and the London Mozart Players. On returning to Aberdeen, he established himself as an influential violinist, violin teacher, and orchestra leader – in particular of the Aberdeen Sinfonietta. He was a member of the Aberdeen Piano Trio for many years and he is currently the leading violinist with Aberdeen Chamber Players.
Saturday, November 26 at 11.00am
George S Stevenson, Businessman, Degree of Doctor Honoris Causa
George S Stevenson is a prominent local businessman of many years standing and has been a major influence in shaping the City of Aberdeen. Mr Stevenson has been a valued adviser and supporter of the University over a great number of years and served as a Member of University Court from 1997 to 2004. He has also found time to support other local educational institutions and champion sport in Aberdeen, heading up Club Project Group to give Aberdeen a state-of-the-art curling rink.
Colin Blakemore FRS, Chief Executive, Medical Research Council and Waynflete Professor of Physiology, University of Oxford, Degree of Doctor of Science
Colin Blakemore became Chief Executive of the MRC in 2003. He is a distinguished scientist, who is devoted to advancing the public understanding of science and the contribution of scientific advances to society. Professor Blakemore is a frequent broadcaster on radio and television, and has written widely for the general public. It is recorded that, in 1989, when he won the Michael Faraday Award for furtherance of the public understanding of science, The Royal Society described him as "one of Britain's most influential communicators of science". Colin Blakemore taught at the University of Cambridge for 11 years and in 1979 took up the Chair of Physiology at the University of Oxford, where he is also Director of the Oxford Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience. His research has made a huge contribution to our understanding of the development of the brain. Among other markers of peer esteem he has been President of the British Neuroscience Association, the Physiological Society and the new Biosciences Federation.
James Boyle, Former Chairman, Scottish Arts Council and Cultural Commission, Degree of Doctor of Laws
James Boyle served as Chairman of the Scottish Arts Council from 2002 until his appointment as Chair of the Cultural Commission in 2004. As Chair of the Cultural Commission, he led an investigation into every aspect of culture and cultural provision in Scotland. James Boyle joined the BBC, initially as an Education Officer in Scotland, and then England. He subsequently moved into production as a manager in radio and later in television. A series of high-profile posts at the BBC, culminating in four years as Controller of Radio Four from 1998-2002 ensued. He was previously BBC Chief Advisor, Editorial Policy, Head of Radio Scotland (1992-96) and Secretary and Head of Press, BBC Scotland (from 1989).
The winter graduation ceremonies will be held at Mitchell Hall, Marischal College on Friday, November 25, at 3.00pm and Saturday, November 26, at 11.00am.