A HEALTH trust leader along with a former High Sherriff will join 1,200 students graduating from the University of Cumbria next week.
Internationally recognised in the fields of nursing, midwifery and education, Professor Kath McCourt CBE FRCN, deputy chair at Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, will receive the highest honorary award the university can bestow: the Honorary Doctorate.
Over her career, she has been nominated, elected and represented her employer and the nursing profession in various regional, national and international settings.
She is an Honorary Colonel, 201 Field Hospital – Newcastle upon Tyne, a Fellow of the Royal College of Nursing and President of the Commonwealth Nurses and Midwives Federation.
The federation represents the national nurse and midwife associations in the 56 countries of the Commonwealth.
Former High Sheriff of Cumbria, Marcia Reid Fotheringham JP DL, was invited to become an Honorary Fellow of the university in recognition of her significant contribution to the county's public, cultural, community and charitable sectors.
In recognition of his lifelong and outstanding contribution to the music industry, an Honorary Fellowship will be awarded to Brian Higgins.
Born in Whitehaven and now based in Kent, the songwriter and producer is responsible for some of pop music's best-known and award-winning chart hits.
Honorary awards will be presented during three of the nine graduation ceremonies that are due to take place at Carlisle Cathedral.
Ceremonies will take place on Tuesday, November 22, Wednesday, 23 and Thursday, 24.
Carlisle Cathedral, celebrating its 900th anniversary, will see degrees and other academic awards conferred upon graduands.
Ceremonies include formal processions into the cathedral with staff and graduates in academic dress. Receptions will take place at the Crown and Mitre Hotel afterwards.
The University of Cumbria's Class of 2022, which includes those who graduated in ceremonies last July, marks the institution's return to its traditional biannual ceremonies, following the pandemic.
Participants will include many who are already working or have qualified to work in their chosen professional and public sectors.
Graduates completed courses delivered across the university's five academic institutes – arts; education; health; business, industry and leadership; and science and environment - and campuses in Cumbria, Lancaster, and London.
Several Masters and postgraduate students from around the world, who studied University of Cumbria programmes through its international partnership with Zurich-based Robert Kennedy College, will be in Carlisle to celebrate graduating.
Collaborative links with employers, addressing higher-level skills, sector and place needs, will be celebrated when graduands who work for organisations of international, national and regional importance, such as BAE Systems, join the ceremonies.
University Vice Chancellor Professor Julie Mennell said: "Our graduation week exemplifies the tremendous contributions and impact our graduates make in their chosen professional sectors and services across the North West region and beyond.
“We are immensely proud of our Class of 2022 and what they've achieved and in such challenging circumstances.
"We are looking forward to welcoming them and their loved ones to Carlisle Cathedral and to sharing in their celebrations and considerable achievements."
READ MORE: Man dies whilst walking with friends in the Lake District
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here