02 July 2007

Actor Sean Bean to receive honorary degree

Internationally acclaimed actor Sean Bean will return to Sheffield this month to receive an honorary degree from the University of Sheffield. Sean´s achievements as an actor and his ongoing commitment to the City of Sheffield will be recognised in the degree ceremony on Friday 20 July 2007, when he will be become a Doctor of Letters.

One of Britain´s best-loved and most in-demand actors, he was set to become a welder at his father´s workshop in Sheffield before discovering acting while attending an art course at Rotherham College. He went on to win a scholarship to study at RADA before making his professional debut as Tybalt in Romeo and Juliet.

Sean has played leading roles in a number of popular television series and dramatisations of classic novels, but is now best known for his roles in big-budget films such as Troy, National Treasure and Lord of the Rings. He opened the Osteoporosis Centre at Sheffield´s Northern General Hospital in 1998 and has been a lifelong supporter of Sheffield United Football Club, joining the Board of Directors in 2002.

This year´s degree ceremonies will also see the Archbishop of York, The Most Reverend and Right Honourable Dr John Sentamu, become a Doctor of Letters for his distinguished career as a scholar and theologian.

Dr Sentamu was born in Uganda and graduated in law from Makerere University, Kampala in 1971 and practised law before being appointed as a High Court judge. His judicial independence and criticism of the Amin regime for human rights violations led him to suffer intimidation and physical violence before fleeing to the UK. Throughout his career he has been noted for his engagement with the community and he has been a prominent campaigner on issues such as gun control and racism.

Air Marshall Stuart Peach CBE, a graduate of the University of Sheffield, will also become a Doctor of Letters for his contributions to the UK´s defence and to NATO peacekeeping operations in the Balkans.

Top names in science, engineering, the social sciences and medicine will also be honoured. Lord Alec Broers, President of the Royal Academy of Engineering and Chairman of the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee will become a Doctor of Engineering, along with Dr Anthony Hanwell. Born in Sheffield, and a former pupil at King Edward VII School, Anthony has been recognised for his notable achievements in the world of business, after founding Keymed Medical Industrial Equipment Ltd.

Professor David Locker, leader in the field of dental public health and alumnus of the University, will become a Doctor of Science in recognition of his distinguished career. Sir Alan Dawtry, will become a Doctor of Laws for his achievements in local government, alongside Mr Timothy Roberts, former president of the UK Chartered Institute of Patent Agreement.

The former Head of Professional Studies at Sheffield City College of Education, Mr Alan Kelly, will be become a Doctor of Music for his pioneering work in the field of discography and Mr Peter Brown, Secretary of the British Academy since 1983, will become a Doctor of Letters.

University staff, past and present, are also included in the honours. Emeritus Professor Frank Woods will become a Doctor of Medicine for his outstanding contribution in field of medicine and services to the Government. Professor John Enderby and Emeritus Professor Charles Stirling will become Doctors of Science for their achievements in raising the public understanding of science. Professor Lorna Walker will be recognised for her contribution to engineering and sustainable development, becoming a Doctor of Engineering and Mrs Linda Morewood will receive a Master of Arts in recognition of her services to the University and delivery of the highly successful Centenary programme in 2005.

Notes for Editors: Dates and times for all honorary degrees are as follows:

Monday 16 July 2007 at 12 noon
Emeritus Professor H F (Frank) Woods – MD

Tuesday 17 July 2007 at 9.30am
Mr Timothy Roberts – LLD (Doctor of Laws)

Tuesday 17 July 2007 at 12 noon
Sir Alan Dawtry – LLD (Doctor of Laws)

Tuesday 17 July 2007 at 3.30pm
Professor David Locker – DSs (Doctor of Science)
Professor Sir John Enderby – DSc (Doctor of Science)

Wednesday 18 July 2007 at 9.30am
Lord Alec Broers – DEng (Doctor of Engineering)

Wednesday 18 July 2007 at 12 noon
Dr Anthony Hanwell – DEng (Doctor of Engineering)

Wednesday 18 July 2007 at 3.30pm
Emeritus Professor Charles J M Stirling – DSc (Doctor of Science)
Air Marshal Stuart Peach – LittD (Doctor of Letters)

Thursday 19 July 2007 at 12 noon
Professor Lorna Walker – DEng (Doctor of Engineering)

Thursday 19 July 2007 at 3.30pm
Linda Morewood – MA (Master of Arts)

Friday 20 July 2007 at 9.30am
Mr Alan Kelly – DMus (Doctor of Music)

Friday 20 July 2007 at 12 noon
Mr Sean Bean – LittD (Doctor of Letters)

Friday 20 July 2007 at 3.30pm
Mr Peter Brown – LittD (Doctor of Letters)
The Most Reverend and Right Honourable Dr John Sentamu – LittD (Doctor of Letters)

For further information please contact: Jenny Wilson, Media Relations Officer on 0114 2225339 or email j.c.wilson@sheffield.ac.uk

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