The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Honorary degree For Snow Patrol star
DUNDEE: Frontman joins Amanda Kopel and other figures in catching university’s collective eye
Snow Patrol singer Gary Lightbody is to receive an honorary degree from Dundee University this month.
The university is also to confer honorary degrees on dementia rights campaigner Amanda Kopel, Maggie’s Centre co-founder Dr Charles Jencks and Sir William Patey, one of the world’s foremost experts on the Middle East.
Both Gary Lightbody and Sir William are graduates of the university.
Snow Patrol were formed on the singer’s first day at the university in 1994 and the band have now sold more than 11 million albums worldwide.
Mrs Kopel has campaigned for free care to be extended to dementia sufferers under the age of 65.
The honorary degrees will be presented as part of the university’s summer graduations, which take place in the Caird Hall in Dundee from June 22 to 24.
“In choosing our honorary graduates we are looking at people who are the best possible role models for our students and staff, and who have displayed excellence and achievement in their chosen fields,” said Professor Pete Downes, principal and vice-chancellor of the university.
“Each of the people we will award an honorary degree to this summer fits that description. They have achieved great things in fields that are directly relevant to our own students here at Dundee and include two of our own alumni in Gary Lightbody and William Patey.”
Mrs Kopel, from Kirriemuir, campaigns for the introduction of Frank’s Law, which would see free personal care given to dementia sufferers under the age of 65.
Her late husband, former Dundee United player Frank Kopel, died at the age of 65 in 2014, five years after being diagnosed with dementia.
The university is also to award honorary degrees to Sir William Castell, former chairman of the board of governors of the Wellcome Trust, and Dr Hilal Al-Sayer, chairman of the Dasman Diabetes Institute board in Kuwait.