- About postgraduate study
- Part-time study
- Courses
- Order a Prospectus
- Faculties & Departments
- UK students
- EU students
- International Students
- How to apply for your course
- Handy Hints
- Open Events
- Student Recruitment
- Money Matters
- About Us
19 Oct 2006 10:25:45
A former Olympic swimming coach and ex Chief Executive of Bedfordshire County Council will be among those receiving honorary degrees at one of the last ceremonies of the former De Montfort University (DMU) Bedford next week.
Helen Elkington, a former Principal Lecturer at the University, and an internationally renowned expert in the field of swimming, will be awarded an Honorary Master of Arts.
David Bell, now Permanent Secretary of the Department of Education and Skills, will receive an Honorary Doctor of Education award; Reverend John Pedlar, of St Paul’s Church in Bedford, will be given an Honorary Master of Arts award; and Managing Director of Charles Wells brewery, Paul Wells, will become an Honorary Doctor of Business Administration.
The distinguished honourands will be among more than 900 students who will see their hard work rewarded at graduation ceremonies at Bedford Corn Exchange on 26 and 27 October. DMU Bedford’s campus merged with the University of Luton on 1 August to become the University of Bedfordshire, but this year’s cohort of students will all graduate from DMU.
Professor Kate Jacques, Pro-Vice Chancellor and Dean of the Bedford Faculty of Education and Contemporary Studies, said: “I am looking forward to congratulating all the graduates next week, who have all worked extremely hard to receive their degrees.
“The University wishes them the best of luck on the exciting journey they are about to embark on, as they now possess the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in their chosen careers.
“We will also be awarding honorary degrees to well-known figures in the local community who are highly recognised in their fields and will hopefully inspire the students.”
Helen Elkington’s achievements in the world of swimming have spanned four decades. She was Stroke Coach to the Great Britain Olympic Swimming Team at the Mexico Olympics in 1968 and Junior British Synchronised Swimming Team Coach from 1971 to 1977.
She has also worked as a commentator for both the BBC and ITV and, in 1988, she led the synchronised swimming commentary at the Seoul Olympics.
In 1998 Helen’s achievements as a swimming coach were recognised by the National Coaching Foundation when she was inaugurated into the coaching hall of fame - the highest honour for coaches in any sport. She joined, among others, Sir Alf Ramsey, Betty Calloway and Ron Pickering.
She has been teaching swimming for 50 years and is a leading authority in the field, having lectured at conferences all over the world, and her impressive list of publications include Swimming: a Handbook for Teachers, which was printed almost 30 years ago and is still used as a reference book for swimming teachers today.
Despite officially retiring from her position as Principal Lecturer two years ago, she has continued to lecture swimming at the University.
David Bell, who lives in Sharnbrook, in Bedfordshire, has an impressive track record in the field of education. He started his career as a primary school teacher and held teaching posts in Glasgow and Essex, before becoming Director of Education at Newcastle City Council in 1995 and Chief Executive of Bedfordshire County Council in 2000.
Two years later he took up one of the most powerful jobs in education as Chief Inspector of Schools for Ofsted (Office for Standards in Education) and, in January 2006, he was appointed new Permanent Secretary of the Department of Education and Skills and he now advises Ministers at the highest level on education policy and practice.
Reverend John Pedlar, a well known figure in Bedford, has represented many communities in the town through his work on the Council of Faiths. Later this year, John will also be awarded the title of Honorary Canon of St Albans in recognition of the long and dedicated service to the church.
Paul Wells is Managing Director of family brewery Charles Wells, which was founded in Bedford in 1876 and is now the UK's largest independent brewer. The company is based at the Eagle Brewery in Havelock Street and, after five generations of the Wells family, Paul is one of three family members who remain actively involved in shaping the company’s future.
Latest news» 2006» Oct» University celebrates Bedford graduates and honourands
