Music to the ears as top artists to attend St Andrews winter graduation ceremonies
Margaret Atwood is unable to attend the graduation ceremony this week, and we are arranging for her to receive her honorary doctorate at graduation in June next year.
A world-famous author, one of the most sought-after Scottish concert violinists in a generation, a Lord who came to the UK as a child refugee, and the first British singer-songwriter to enjoy international success will join more than 1100 students graduating at the University of St Andrews at the end of this month.
Graduates will receive their academic awards at the winter graduation celebrations on Tuesday 29 November and St Andrew’s Day, Wednesday 30 November 2022.
Internationally-renowned author Margaret Atwood will be awarded an honorary degree on Wednesday 30 November in recognition of her distinguished career as an award-winning novelist, poet and scriptwriter. Atwood, who has published 17 novels and eight children’s books, countless pieces of short fiction and poetry, as well as scripts for TV, radio and theatre, is perhaps best known for her novel, The Handmaid’s Tale, recently made into a multi-season TV series on Netflix.
Others to be honored in St Andrews include GRAMMY award-winning violinist Nicola Benedetti who, as well as being a devoted chamber musician, is also a dedicated, passionate ambassador and leader in music education, and Ivor Novello Award-winning singer-songwriter Joan Armatrading, who has produced 21 albums in an outstanding career spanning nearly five decades.
Labour Peer Lord Alf Dubs, who fled the Nazi occupation of the then Czechoslovakia through the Kindertransport scheme, has spent his career standing up for the rights of refugees, especially children, successfully campaigning for UK Government legislation to grant special status for unaccompanied child refugees, known as the ‘Dubs Amendment’.
The full list of recipients is as follows:
Tuesday 29 November 10.30am Lord Alf Dubs – To be awarded Doctor of Law (LLD)
Tuesday 29 November 2pm Joan Armatrading – To be awarded Doctor of Music (DMus)
Wednesday 30 November 10.30am Margaret Atwood – To be awarded Doctor of Letters (DLitt)
Wednesday 30 November 2pm Nicola Benedetti – To be awarded Doctor of Music (DMus)
Winter graduation 2022 will take place at the University of St Andrews’ Younger Hall, North Street, St Andrews KY16 9AJ.
Photo calls with each Honorary Graduate will be held immediately after each ceremony outside the Younger Hall, North Street, St Andrews KY16 9AJ
Photo opps will take place at approximately 12pm (following morning ceremonies) and 3.30pm (following afternoon ceremonies). Media are requested to attend 15 minutes beforehand.
THERE WILL BE LIMITED INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES AT EACH PHOTOCALL.
If you would like to attend any of the ceremonies in the Hall, please contact the communications office in advance on [email protected].
Photos of Honorary Graduates during the ceremony can be supplied upon request.
Full details of all ceremonies.
Full biographies of all Honorary Graduates.
Issued by the University of St Andrews Communications Office.