SANDI AND AGGERS GET DEGREES
3,500 STUDENTS - AND CELEBS - GRADUATING
PUBLIC figures from the worlds of cricket, television, academia and business have joined students graduating from the University of Leicester.
Hundreds of graduands have been receiving their degrees during ceremonies at De Montfort Hall this week, alongside writer, actor, comedian and TV presenter Sandi Toksvig.
The 60-year-old was made a Doctor of Letters. She said: “I’m thrilled to receive this unexpected honour.”
Born to a Danish father and British mother, Toksvig read law, archaeology and anthropology at Cambridge University, where her comedy career began with the Footlights amateur dramatics club.
Her version of Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island is to get its world premiere at the Haymarket Theatre, in Leicester, this year.
Ms Toksvig: “I like to think the show that I do, QI on the BBC, is all about expanding our knowledge.
“The wonderful thing for me was the number of mature graduates who came across the stage. We’re never too old and it’s never too late to keep learning.”
Broadcaster and former cricketer Jonathan Agnew has also become a Doctor of Letters.
Born in Cheshire but educated at Uppingham School, he had a successful first-class career as a fast bowler for Leicestershire from 1979 to 1990.
He won three Test caps for England, as well as playing three One Day Internationals in the mid-1980s.
On receiving his honorary degree, Aggers said: “I am very proud to be recognised by the University of Leicester.
“This wonderful city remains a big part of my life, even having retired from the cricket club many years ago, and I am thrilled that through this award our connection is strengthened further.”
Professor Fiona Stafford, Professor of English Language and Literature at the University of Oxford and a frequent contributor to BBC radio, also became a Doctor of Letters.
Further honorary degrees were today due to be awarded to scientist and Sky at Night presenter Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock; Leicester entrepreneur Dorothy Francis and Professor Sir John Savill, chief executive of the Medical Research Council.
In all, about 3,500 University of Leicester students are receiving their degrees across eight ceremonies.
President and vice-chancellor Professor Paul Boyle said: “University is the start of many great careers.
“Graduation is when we celebrate the culmination of the years of hard work and determination of our students, but it is not the end of their journey.
“As they look to their futures and launch their careers we are fortunate to also be honouring individuals with inspiring stories of their very different and very successful paths in life.”
The summer graduation ceremonies are the first to be overseen by the newly installed Chancellor of the University of Leicester, Lord Willetts.