Thousands of students from the University of Hull will graduate this month at the Bonus Arena bringing more than 24,000 guests to the city as they celebrate all their achievements and hard work of the past few years.
The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the University’s staff and students, and indeed the wider community, has been challenging but the entire University community has demonstrated remarkable determination and resilience. There is much excitement on campus as staff and students look forward to celebrating all of our graduates from 2021 and 2022.
Professor Susan Lea, Vice-Chancellor at the University of Hull, said: “We are all so looking forward to graduation this year; seeing our students cross that stage and be conferred their degree is a highlight in the University calendar.
“This year is all the more special as we recognise both students’ academic success and tremendous personal resilience through the pandemic. We are delighted to be awarding an honorary degree to Dame Sarah Gilbert who played a pivotal role in the development of the Covid vaccine.”
Alongside nearly 5000 graduands will be 12 honorary graduands attending across the 21 ceremonies commencing on Thursday 14 July and taking place over two weeks. Dame Sarah Gilbert and Brian May, CBE, PhD, FRAS are amongst the 12 esteemed and highly-acclaimed honorary graduates, including four University of Hull alumni.
Dr Brian May CBE, founding member of Queen, guitarist, renowned songwriter, skilled producer and beloved performer will be graduating at the first ceremony on Thursday by video link. As well as being an incredibly successful and award-winning musician, Brian is a Doctor of Astrophysics after resuming his studies and achieving his PhD from Imperial College, London in 2007.
Brian was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 2005 for ‘services to the Music Industry’ and for his charity work. Brian will be presented with Doctor of Science, honoris causa at the graduation ceremony on Thursday 14 July at 10.30am.
Professor Brad Gibson, Head of the University’s Department of Physics & Mathematics and Director of the E.A. Milne Centre for Astrophysics, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be able to honour such a famed and accomplished musician and passionate astrophysicist. Dr Brian May’s commitment to astrophysics throughout his successful career in Queen is certainly something to be admired and, indeed, recognised.”