Honorary doctorate for BBC’s Breakfast presenter

BROADCAST JOURNALIST Dan Walker, awarded an honorary doctorate at the University of Sheffield, has said he is “humbled” by the recognition from his alma mater.

The BBC Breakfast co-anchor, a regular presenter of Match of the Day, studied history at the university before going on to complete a masters in journalism and begin his broadcasting career. He is still a mentor there, working with students and sponsoring two of them with bursaries to its journalism school.

Now, receiving an Honorary Doctorate of Letters in recognition of his achievements, he said: “It’s a real privilege and I feel very thankful that Sheffield University have asked me – they must have got to the end of a very long list!

“I love the city and I love the

It’s a real privilege and I feel very thankful to have been asked. Dan Walker,

BBC broadcast journalist.

people,” added Mr Walker, who still lives in Sheffield with his family and is an active patron of Sheffield Children’s Hospital. “I had high expectations and they were all met.”

Further professionals are to be honoured over the course of the week, including local business leader Stuart Green, Sheffieldborn musician Chris Watson of the band Cabaret Voltaire, librarian Ciara Eastell OBE, businesswoman Ann Cairns, vice chair of Mastercard, and Dr Keith Clarkson, recognised with a distinguished alumni award for his work on bird migration.

Professor Ian Cooke, a former chair of obstetrics and gynaecology at the university who has worked with the World Health Organisation, has also been recognised for his work on fertility with an honorary doctorate of medicine.

PICTURE: CHRIS ETCHELLS ACHIEVEMENTS: Broadcaster Dan Walker said it was a ‘real privilege’ to receive an honorary doctorate of letters from the University of Sheffield, where he studied and now mentors students.