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20 Jul 2009 16:54:49
The first students to have studied for their degrees at the University of Bedfordshire since its inception have graduated with flying colours.
The class of ’06-’09 arrived just after the University was created by the merger of the University of Luton and the Bedford campus of De Montfort University in August 2006.
The graduation ceremonies took place during the week of 13-17 July at St Mary’s Church in Luton and featured graduands from the University’s four faculties – the Business School, Health and Social Sciences, Creative Arts, Technologies and Science (CATS) and Education and Sport.
Hundreds of students attended the ceremonies to receive their degrees in front of family, friends and academics.
A highlight was the annual civic procession through Luton Town Centre on Thursday afternoon led by the University of Bedfordshire Pipe Band.
Speaking during the graduation ceremonies, Vice Chancellor Les Ebdon CBE said the University of Bedfordshire had enjoyed a “fantastic year” in which it had gone from “strength to strength”.
He said: “The number of applications is rising weekly and at the last count was up a staggering 29 per cent on last year - putting us in the top five universities in the country for increases in applications.
“Students clearly like what they see so it will come as no surprise to hear that we leaped an impressive 18 places in The Times Good University Guide 2010 making us the highest-climbing institution in the UK.
“This was fantastic news and in recognition of our reputation as an institution where students can achieve their goals whatever their cultural background and whatever their financial circumstances.”
The University has also awarded eight honorary degrees this month to a variety of people from the world of entertainment, the arts, the legal profession and business.
‘Nasty Nigel’ Lythgoe was honoured by the University for his outstanding contribution to the performing arts in television.
Producer, dancer, choreographer and television judge Nigel was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Arts on Friday (17 July).
The ‘Nasty Nigel’ tag came about in 2000 when he was a judge on hit show ‘Popstars’. He also developed and produced the show ‘Pop Idol’, which has gone from strength to strength, and worked with stars such as Gene Kelly, Bing Crosby, Shirley Bassey and The Muppets!
Award-winning Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan was also given an honorary doctorate in Arts and Culture from the University at a ceremony in London on Friday, 10 July.
A local man, Judge John Farnworth, received an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws on Monday, 13 July, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the administration of justice in Bedfordshire.
Judge Farnworth retired as a full-time judge in June last year but was then appointed as a Deputy Circuit Judge and now sits on the South East circuit.
He was educated at Bedford School and after leaving in 1953, spent two years in the Army before taking a place at Oxford University to read law.
After spending a year at the University of Chicago Law School as a teacher fellow, Judge Farnworth returned to the UK to do his articles in Luton at Cooke and Sons. He has spent all his legal working life in the town.
He was admitted as a solicitor in 1962 and stayed with Cooke and Sons until he became a partner in the firm in 1967. He became a full-time circuit judge in 1991.
In 1999, Judge Farnworth was appointed designated civil judge for Beds and Herts and in 2005 was also designated family judge for Bedfordshire.
Another local man, music maestro Stephen Beaven, was awarded an Honorary Master of Arts on Friday (17 July) for his contribution to the musical life of Luton and to music education locally.
Stephen began his musical career at an early age and went on to study at St. Katharine’s College in Liverpool and with Henry Cummings privately at the Royal Academy of Music.
In 1985 he took on his first role in Luton, as head of music at Rotherham High School, which became South Luton High School in 1988.
When the Luton Music Service came into being in 1997, Stephen was appointed as Adviser/Inspector for Music and took on the lead role for the service. For 12 years he worked tirelessly to protect and develop the work of the Luton Music Service.
At the same time he could not ignore his roots as a musician, composing ten memorable pieces for the 'Mega Concerts', designed to showcase every strand of the Service’s work - the earliest of these also included the University Choir.
Stephen has been involved with the University choir on a number of occasions, both as soloist and chorus member. He also helped to set up the University’s PGCE music route with the Chiltern Training Group.
Others honoured during the week were Kirk Reynolds QC, campaigning journalist, author and broadcaster Bea Campbell, Hitchin-based businessman Matthew Reeve, and BT Global Services chief executive Hanif Lalani OBE.
Latest news» 2009» July» Honorary degrees cap a gr-eight graduation week
