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Lord Coe and the VC

22 Jul 2017

Summer graduation ceremonies

This week’s degree ceremonies saw around 3,000 students graduate from Loughborough.

Lord Sebastian Coe was installed as the University’s sixth Chancellor at the start of the first ceremony on Tuesday morning, with his first task in the post to confer degrees and awards to the University’s graduands.

“I arrived, and passed through this wonderful university some 40 years ago,” said Lord Coe. “And, like many of you in this room, and those on this stage, I have watched with great pride as this university has graduated to best-in-class both domestically and overseas.

“I hope that you, who are graduating today, you will join me on this journey of representing this university, both at home and overseas, and supporting everything it has historically stood for and everything it will achieve in the future.”

At the ceremonies the University conferred honorary degrees on five individuals, for the contributions they have made to society.

Mountaineer Doug Scott CBE, Operations Director of Community Action Nepal, was awarded an honorary Doctorate of the University in recognition of his outstanding achievements in mountaineering and his sustained contribution to international charity.

Penny Briscoe OBE, Director of Sport at the British Paralympic Association, was made an Honorary Doctor of the University, in recognition of her outstanding contribution to Olympic and Paralympic sport as a coach and administrator.

Strictly Come Dancing winner Ore Oduba was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of the University in recognition of his contribution to British television as a news and sports broadcaster.

Sir Terry Morgan, Chairman of Crossrail, was made an Honorary Doctor of Technology in recognition of his outstanding contribution to UK transport infrastructure and his advocacy of vocational training and apprenticeship programmes

Kito De Boer, Head of Mission at the Office of the Quartet, was presented with an Honorary Doctorate of the University in recognition of his outstanding contribution to international relations as a major statesman who is able to cross political divides.

For photos and video of the Class of 2017, go to the #LboroGrad2017 website