The three distinguished figures who will be awarded Honorary Doctorates from the University are the high profile academic, Professor Sir Ronald Cooke, childrens author, Dick King-Smith and broadcaster, Sir Trevor McDonald, OBE. Sir Ronald Cooke Sir Ron Cooke has had a distinguished career as a geographer, and is a former President of the Royal Geographical Society. Sir Ron led several major UK initiatives in Higher Education as Chair of the Learning and Teaching Committee of the Higher Education Funding Council for England. Since his retirement in 2003, Sir Ron has taken over chairmanship of the Joint Information Systems Committee (JISC) reflecting his interest in the potential of electronic communication for enhancing learning opportunities. He was knighted for services to Higher Education in 2002 and has had academic involvement with staff in the University of Gloucestershire School of Environment for many years. Most recently, he has supported the School in developing and promoting its expertise in teaching and learning nation-wide. Dick King-Smith Dick King-Smith has spent much his life in Gloucestershire. Now in his eighties, the childrens author has worked as a farmer, a primary school teacher and fought in the Second World War before turning his hand to writing. He is best known as the creator of The Sheep Pig, which was made into the Academy Award winning film, Babe. The novel also won the Guardian Fiction Award 1984, and he was named as Childrens Author of the Year in 1992. Dick has written over 100 books that have been translated into 12 languages. His autobiography, Chewing the Cud was widely acclaimed and was named as Publishers Weekly Best Childrens Book in 2002. Sir Trevor McDonald Sir Trevor McDonald is one of the countrys best-known broadcasters. Sir Trevor currently presents the ITV News at 10.30 and the current affairs programme, Tonight with Trevor McDonald. Sir Trevor began his television career in Trinidad in 1962, before joining the BBC World Service in 1969. His prolific broadcasting career spans five decades, and he has been the recipient of many awards, including a Royal Television Society Gold Medal in 1998 and the BAFTA Richard Dimbleby Award for Outstanding Contribution to Television in 1999. In the same year, Sir Trevor was awarded a Knighthood in the Queens Birthday Honours List. The University is honouring Sir Trevor for his services to broadcast journalism, and it is hoped that he will also maintain an interest in the broadcast journalism programmes offered at the Pittville Campus. Lifetime achievements Dame Janet Trotter, Vice Chancellor and Principal of the University of Gloucestershire said: We are delighted to honour these outstanding individuals in recognition of their lifetime achievements and their ability to inspire others. We look forward to welcoming them to our graduation ceremonies later this year. The award ceremonies will take place on 4th & 5th November at The Centaur, Cheltenham Racecourse.
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Over 2,000 students will be graduating from the University of Gloucestershire and some famous names, who will be receiving Honorary Doctorates, will be joining them.
