The current round of nominations is open until 12 February 2024.
Definitions of University Medals and Honorary Degrees can be found below. Further details about eligibility and criteria can be found on the Honorary Graduates webpage, where you can also nominate an individual.
University Medallists
These celebrate the very best of the Loughborough community; the University Medal is the most prestigious honour that the University can award. Only a small number are given out each year and they are normally presented at a graduation ceremony.
Honorary Degrees
Loughborough University bestows Honorary Degrees on high-profile individuals who have made outstanding contributions to fields which the University has close links with. Areas of contribution could be any academic, business or professional service area, or of particular relevance to the University’s values and strategic vision.
At the most recent graduation ceremonies (December 2023), the following recipients were chosen to receive an honorary degree:
- Nirmal ‘Nims’ Purja MBE, world record-breaking mountaineer and Loughborough alumnus
Born in Nepal, Nims had a distinguished 16-year military career, of which he spent six years as a Gurkha and 10 years with the UK Special Forces. It was during this time he developed an interest in mountaineering that quickly turned into a passion, accumulating an ever-growing list of record-breaking summits alongside many high-altitude rescue missions. Today Nims is celebrated as one of the greatest climbers of his generation.
- Diane-Louise Jordan, broadcaster and activist
Diane has been a broadcaster for more than 30 years, first hitting the nation’s screens in 1990 when she was selected to appear on the BBC’s Blue Peter – becoming the first Black presenter of the show. As a passionate activist, Diane dedicates time to charity and to promoting inclusivity and equal opportunities.
- Mary Earps, Lioness’ goalkeeper and Loughborough alumna
Mary has been recognised for her outstanding contribution to football and to women’s sport. At the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, Earps served as vice-captain for England and played in all of England’s seven matches, conceding just four goals. She was named the best goalkeeper at the tournament and awarded the Golden Glove accolade. She was also voted BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year 2023 and winner of the 2023 BBC Sports Personality of the Year award.
- Helen Calcutt, award-winning poet, dance artist and choreographer
Helen has more than a decade’s experience of performing, devising and facilitating various forms of creative expression in the UK and around the world and is the author of three volumes of poetry. Helen is the Artistic Director of ‘Beyond Words’ – a ground-breaking new company that seeks to translate written language into dance – and has been a Visiting Lecturer in Creative Writing at Loughborough since 2017, spending a year as the University’s Poet in Residence.
- Rebecca Heaton, Director of Environmental Sustainability for Lloyds Banking Group
Rebecca has been recognised for her work in helping large organisations develop their environmental strategies. Rebecca’s knowledge and ever-growing expertise has been utilised by the UK Committee on Climate Change, appointed to strengthen the Committee’s expertise on business affairs. She was a member of the committee between 2017 and 2021.
- Sir Michael Berry, world-famous mathematical physicist
Sir Michael has been celebrated by the University for his outstanding contribution to mathematical and theoretical physics. He has contributed significantly to the understanding of mathematical physics, publishing several hundred research papers and book reviews.
You can see more of our previous Honorary Award winners on the dedicated webpage.