Keele’s annual summer graduation week has been hailed a huge success with 10,000 people visiting campus throughout the week. 

Over 2,500 graduating students and their families and friends journeyed back to Keele this week to celebrate their achievements with their lecturers, friends and families. 

As well as Keele’s first ever graduation festival being held on campus, the week also saw honorary degrees conferred on distinguished individuals to honour their immense achievements in the fields of history, social inclusion, and academic research. 

This year’s honours were given to Professor David Sweeney CBE, the former Executive Chair of Research England; Godefroid Seminega, a charity stalwart who works with refugees in the local area; and Dr Tristram Hunt, the former MP and Director of the world-renowned V&A museum.  

All spoke highly of Keele as they accepted their honorary doctorates, and shared their good wishes and advice for the graduating class of 2023. 

Professor Trevor McMillan OBE, Vice-Chancellor of Keele University said: "Graduation is, without doubt, the highlight of our academic year, and I've been honoured to welcome our graduates back to campus to celebrate their achievements with their families and friends. 

“This year’s graduating classes have dealt with the additional challenges of fulfilling their studies throughout the disruption of the Covid-19 pandemic, and their success is a testament to their hard work, determination, and resilience throughout such a turbulent time.”