BNU Graduation Week: Jay Blades MBE and guests to receive Honorary Doctorates at ceremony
Buckinghamshire New University (BNU) will bestow honorary degrees on individuals who have given extraordinary service to the community as part of this year’s graduation ceremonies – one of whom will be the University’s inaugural Chancellor, alumnus and award-winning broadcaster and social entrepreneur, Jay Blades MBE.
Graduation Week is the highlight of the University’s academic year, where we proudly celebrate our students’ achievements in successfully completing their studies.
Jay will receive an Honorary Doctorate on Friday, 9 September for his community work supporting vulnerable and disadvantaged groups and his contribution to furniture-making and craft. He will also be formally invested as inaugural Chancellor of Buckinghamshire New University during the ceremony.
This year’s BNU honoraries are:
· Jay Blades MBE (Honorary Doctorate)
· Chair of the Royal College of Physicians, Professor David Croisdale-Appleby OBE (Honorary Doctorate)
· Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire, Countess Elizabeth Howe (Honorary Doctorate)
· Disability and charity ambassador, Phil Packer MBE (Honorary Doctorate)
· Former Pro Chancellor and Chair of the University Council, Dr Michael Hipkins (Honorary Doctorate)
· Businessman and philanthropist, Ricardo Tavio Gallo (Honorary Doctorate)
· Pinewood Studios, and Chair of Buckinghamshire Local Enterprise Partnership, Andrew Smith OBE (Honorary Doctorate)
Jay Blades MBE, Chancellor of BNU said: “BNU is woven into my history and DNA and so being at the University always feels like coming home. To become the inaugural Chancellor for a University that’s shaped the person I am today, and on top of that to receive an honorary doctorate, is a real wow moment. I know that together BNU and I are going to achieve amazing things.”
Vice-Chancellor of BNU, Professor Nick Braisby, said: “The University is enormously proud to recognise the hard work and success of our Class of 2022 graduates, in this year’s Graduation Week. They have overcome incredibly difficult challenges during the pandemic to reach this critical milestone and we wish them every success in their future careers.
“We are also delighted to bestow honorary doctorates on those who have given extraordinary service and dedication to our community – not least our inaugural Chancellor, Jay Blades MBE. Jay himself is a shining example of BNU’s ability to transform lives by encouraging all students to reach their full potential.
“I look forward keenly to working with all our honorary award holders in the years ahead as BNU continues to deliver the mission that has always been at the heart of our proud 130-year history, providing an education for all who can benefit.”
BNU Graduation Week will take place across several ceremonies held at Wycombe Swan Theatre, from 5-9 September. For more information, visit the University’s Graduation page.