In addition to celebrating graduands who crossed the floor, several exceptional individuals were recognised for their outstanding contribution to Loughborough University and wider society. Here, we pay tribute to the Winter 2025 University Medallists and Honorary Graduates.
University Medallists
Loughborough University medals are granted to members and partners of the University who have made a distinctive and long-running contribution to the University, championed the values of the University throughout long careers, and consistently performed above-and-beyond the call of their duties.
Scott Lockyer
Professor Scott Lockyer is a highly esteemed academic, whose decades of industry experiences has proven invaluable to his many students and research projects over the years. Formerly holding the position of Technical Head of Materials and Corrosion as a part of Uniper Technologies, Professor Lockyer provided technical support with energy from waste and wind generation. He also spent many years in technical management and principal engineer roles at engineering consultancies and has held a Research Fellow position in the Department of Materials at the University of Oxford.
At Loughborough, Professor Lockyer volunteered his time as a Royal Academy of Engineering Visiting Professor in the Materials department, where he spent the last 15 years re-imagining various aspects of several undergraduate courses, supervising group work projects and teaching on several modules. Students laud his ability to bring subjects to life through his own experience solving industrial problems.
Professor Lockyer has also had a significant impact in Loughborough’s research space, acting as a key partner bridging the gap between Uniper Technologies and sustainable power projects. Work in this space grew the activity of the Loughborough Materials Characterisation Centre (LMCC) which continues today as a vital research centre.
Eric MacIntyre MBE
Eric has been one of the most instrumental people in Loughborough for building local and regional partnerships. Before and during his tenure as Loughborough College’s Head of Higher Education, Eric spent over 30 years in establishing liaisons and partnerships with universities across the East Midlands, creating opportunities for outstanding students at Loughborough College to pursue degrees in sport, music, business, engineering and more.
Eric has also made huge waves in sport partnerships and helped establish Derby County and Leicester City football academies. With the support of Sir Alex Ferguson, sport was added to Loughborough College’s curriculum through the development of a National Diploma in Sport. As a qualified athletics coach, Eric used his training to organise local community events, including setting up a primary school competitive relay race. His work in the region led him to be recognised with an MBE for his exemplary service to local educational communities.
Eric has recently collaborated with the University in writing a book titled ‘Where History Begins – Loughborough’s Journey Through Sport’, documenting and preserving the institution’s rich history of sport excellence.
Pauline King
Pauline is one of the University’s most dedicated lab technicians. Based in the School of Science, Pauline joined the University in 1996 as a technician supporting Inorganic Chemistry research. She is now a Senior Technician and Technical Tutor, a broader role that allows her to support the wider school wherever required, where colleagues describe her as the cornerstone of the Chemistry research labs.
In 2017, Pauline played a pivotal role when the Chemistry department relocated on campus, working diligently to get the newly refurbished labs up and running. She was instrumental during the 2020 Covid lockdown, getting researchers back into the laboratory after only three months of lockdown – months before many other academic chemistry labs were functioning again.
Her experience, dedication and friendly attitude have been praised by doctoral researchers and academic staff alike, who achieved successful outcomes in their research projects through her fierce dedication to the technician role. Students and staff expressed immense gratitude for how she showed concern and care for people’s wellbeing. Pauline’s positive impact is clear in the nomination for the award, which was brimming with recommendations and support from colleagues and students alike.
Honorary Graduates
Loughborough bestows honorary degrees on individuals who have made a significant contribution to fields the University has close links with, such as sport, engineering, social policy, or another academic or industrial areas in which we are a leading institution.
James Chiutsi (DUniv)
James is a visionary global changemaker in the world of Para sport. Since becoming President of the Malawi Paralympic Committee in 2018, he has transformed opportunities for athletes with disabilities across Malawi and Africa. Under his leadership, Malawi’s registered Para athletes have grown from 20 to over 500, and five new Para sport programmes have been established. In 2023, James oversaw the country’s first Malawi Para Games, giving nearly 130 athletes a national platform to compete and shine.
Beyond sport, James has championed equity, diversity and inclusion. He introduced Para sport into school curricula, promoted the International Paralympic Committee’s ‘I’mPossible’ education programme, and achieved gender parity within the Malawi Paralympic Committee leadership. His influence extends internationally as Chair of a regional committee of the African Union Sports Council and his advisory role to the International Paralympic Committee Governing Board.
James’ collaboration with Loughborough University on the ‘AT2030 Para Sport Against Stigma’ project has been instrumental in using sport to challenge narratives around disabled people and promote assistive technologies in and beyond sport. James’ holistic approach across all his work has strengthened governance, developed athletes and coaches, and ensured that the stories of Para athletes are told with dignity and pride.
Paul Sinton-Hewitt CBE (DUniv)
Paul didn’t have the easiest beginning in life but found solace through running: a simple activity that gave him freedom, taught him resilience and offered a sense of self-worth. Running showed Paul the impact exercise can have on improving not just physical health but easing the heavy burdens life often carries, a core value that Paul took forwards as he grew older.
On 2 October 2004, following a leg injury that impeded his running, Paul launched the Bushy Park Time Trial: a simple 5k run in a local London park. Beginning with just 13 runners and five volunteers, over the course of the next 20 years, Paul grew his humble local race into a global phenomenon now known as ‘parkrun’. With 1500 locations across five continents, people of all ages and abilities gather in local parks to be part of a positive and inclusive community to bring people together, support health and wellbeing, and foster the rehabilitation of prisoners.
For Paul, ‘parkrun’ was never about competition but bringing people together to share the joys of physical activity for those who may never have considered themselves able. He was awarded a CBE and the Albert Medal from the Royal Society of Arts for building such a widespread and successful movement. Paul reminds us all, though, that volunteers and communities around the world make ‘parkrun’ possible, reminding us that leadership is about service to others, not titles or power.
Many congratulations to all the University medallists and honorary graduates from this year’s winter graduation at Loughborough University.