Honorary degrees at Graduation Sensation

An astronaut, Nobel prize winner and rock-star cum philanthropist are among the glittering company to take the stage at the Caird Hall to receive their honorary degrees during this summer's graduation ceremonies. Dr Bonnie Dunbar of NASA, Tim Hunt, Nobel Prize winner and Head of Cell Cycle Control at the Imperial Cancer Research Fund and Sir Bob Geldof are just three of a host of luminaries to be honoured in this year's ceremonies on 11&12 July.

John Simpson, BBC world affairs editor will join with celebrated artist David Mach, Lady Strathmore, patron of the QMRC campaign, Bob Seaton, former University Secretary, Professor Donald McIntyre, Professor of education at the University of Cambridge, Margaret Alexander, visiting Professor of nursing and community health at Glasgow Caledonian University and Wilson Sibbet, Professor of Physics at the University of St Andrews, Sheridan Snyder, founder of Upstate Discovery Ltd, prominent American entrepreneur, sportsman and philanthropist.

Herbert Haxton is also to be dubbed with a Doctor of Laws at the request of the Chancellor Sir James Black. Mr Haxton taught the young Sir James anatomy when a student at Queen's college. To mark Sir James' tenth year as Chancellor, the University is honouring the inspirational teaching of Herbert Haxton which spurred his protégé on to the discovery of Beta Blockers and drugs which treat ulcers.

Plans are currently underway for a four day festival dubbed Graduation Sensation which will see the public area between the Sensation science centre and DCA transformed with marquees and a fairground to host the garden parties, and Summer Sensation - an end of year party for staff and alumni on the Friday evening.

The new central all-weather venue for all the graduation festivities will provide a focal point to celebrate another two thousand University of Dundee graduates with the four day extravaganza marking the close of the academic year.

The Discovery lecture has now been moved from its traditional March date to "graduation Saturday" - 13 July when it is hoped more alumni will return to combine it with a package of events. This year's big attraction for alumni, graduates and their families is David Mach who graduated in the late 1970s and has made an international name as a leading contemporary artist and sculptor. His "Big Heids" on the M8 is known to millions.

The London Graduation ceremony for design students attending the New Designers show in London will take place the same week as graduation in Dundee. Details to follow. Captions
Dr Bonnie Dunbar
Sir Bob Geldof
David mach

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