4 minute read
Graduation ceremonies Pages 26 and
Stephen McGann. Claire Harvey MBE.
MORE than 2,700 soon-to-be-graduates were joined by their family and friends at Chester Cathedral this term to celebrate their achievements.
The University hosted its Chester graduation ceremonies across four days at the beginning of November.
They were joined by seven inspiring individuals who were recognised by the University for their achievements in their respective fields including sport, business, music and the arts.
Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Eunice Simmons, said: “We welcomed our latest graduates to celebrate their achievements in the majestic surroundings of Chester Cathedral. We congratulate them and will be supporting them as they embark on their careers.
“We were also very pleased to welcome distinguished individuals who have given so much to society and it gave us great pleasure to award them honorary degrees that recognise their significant achievements.”
The individuals were: • Claire Harvey MBE who received an honorary Doctor of Letters (DLitt) in recognition of her outstanding contribution to sports, diversity and inclusion. • Joëlle Warren MBE, DL who received an honorary
Master of Business Administration (MBA) in recognition of her outstanding contribution to business. • Professor Henry Sun who received an honorary Doctor
of Business Administration (DBA) in recognition of his outstanding contribution to business. • Keith Skempton CBE, DL who received an honorary
Master of Business Administration (MBA) in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the work of the
Cheshire Military Museum. • Lady Rose Cholmondeley who received an honorary
Master of Music (MMus) in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the arts. • Valérie Masterson who received an honorary Doctor of Music (DMus) in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the arts. • Stephen McGann who received an honorary Doctor of Letters (DLitt) in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the arts.
Stephen said: “As a child of Liverpool, I’m particularly proud and delighted to be awarded an Honorary Degree from the University of Chester. When I was a boy, Chester was a place I escaped to - full of the history that I loved. The Roman Museum - the beautiful and ancient Cathedral - somewhere where a bookish working-class child could dream and imagine places beyond himself.
“That’s where all good education begins; in travelling to new places that can challenge and spark passion. Chester was all of that, and it’s nice to come back and say thank you for what it has given to me.”
Celebrating people in recovery
THE University’s Chapel was illuminated in purple as part of International Recovery Day celebrations and challenging the stigma associated with recovery from addictions.
For the third year in a row, the University’s Chapel was lit up in purple on the day (September 30) to show solidarity with staff and students in recovery from addictions and to indicate its ongoing commitment to addressing the stigma surrounding recovery and addictions.
Dr Wendy Dossett, Associate Professor of Religious Studies, whose award-winning research explores the role of spirituality in communities of addiction recovery explained: “People find it easier to seek support when the barriers of stigma are dismantled. Stigma can only be addressed if our social institutions, including universities, address it corporately. I’m proud that the University of Chester acknowledges and honours staff and students who are in, or seeking, recovery from addictions.
“Lighting our Chapel in purple on this significant day of celebration is part of that, but the University is doing so much more. We have a ‘Staff in Recovery’ group that meets weekly for confidential peer-support at the interface of recovery with workplace issues. This year, for the first time, we are offering Recovery Ally training to staff and students. This training will help us not only to develop the support people in recovery might need, but also to acknowledge and celebrate the strengths they bring to our University community.
“Furthermore, the University is a leading partner with other Higher Education Institutions in national discussions towards a Pledge for the ‘Recovery Friendly University’.
Wendy added: “We recognise that the stigma associated with addiction is particularly ‘sticky’ and there is so much more to do. However, there is a groundswell of interest in challenging this stigma here at Chester, and indeed in the university sector more widely. We’re delighted that the University of Chester is in the vanguard of these national conversations.”
If you would like to get involved in the conversation about recovery within the University, please get in touch with Wendy by emailing: w.dossett@chester.ac.uk.
More information about International Recovery Day is available here.
The following organisations offer free support for addictions: • Alcoholics Anonymous (for problems with alcohol) • Narcotics Anonymous (for problems with all drugs) • Gamblers Anonymous (for problems with gambling) • NHS Addiction Support (to find local NHS support services) • Smart Recovery (for alcohol and other drug issues) • Al-Anon Family Groups (for family members and friends of people with substance issues) • Westminster Drug Project (local substance misuse services in the Chester area) • Warrington Drugs and Alcohol Support Service (local services in the Warrington area) • Shropshire Recovery Partnership (local services in the
Shrewsbury area)
If you would like to contribute to Forum, please contact Corporate Communications on extension 1344 or communications@chester.ac.uk
Editorial content by Corporate Communications. Designed by Graphics, LIS.
