Keele announces honorary degrees for 2017
Staffordshire Olympian Joseph Clarke MBE is amongst the eminent figures to be honoured for their outstanding contributions to society by Keele University this summer.
Seven distinguished individuals from the fields of sport, medicine, education, business and philanthropy will be awarded honorary degrees at Keele during the University’s graduation ceremonies in July.
Staffordshire-born Joseph Clarke won gold at the Rio 2016 Olympics in the men’s slalom K-1 final with a time of 88.53 seconds, the first time that a British competitor has won gold in this event. Clarke has also won medals in team events at the World and European Championships. He was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2017 New Year Honours for services to canoeing.
Clarke commented: “I’m thrilled to be selected for an honorary degree at Keele. I grew up in Staffordshire and I’m proud to race for my county and country, so to be recognised for my sporting achievements is fantastic. I’d love to inspire more people to get into the sport.”
Ros Kerslake OBE, Chief Executive of the Heritage Lottery Fund, will also receive an honorary degree, for her support of heritage and urban regeneration projects locally and nationally.
Others who are set to receive honorary degrees include Joyce D’Silva, Ambassador for Compassion in World Farming, and Dr Michael Fisher, who has made an outstanding contribution to the development and sustainment of primary care and general practice in the region.
Anthony Berry MBE, who co-founded the North Staffs Heart Committee in 1979 and has raised over £6 million over the past 37 years, will also be honoured, as will Datuk Professor Dr Asma Ismail, Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Sains Malaysia; and Dr Catherine Raines, Director General of International Trade and Investment.
Vice Chancellor of Keele University, Professor Trevor McMillan, commented: “The recipients of our honorary degrees this year have all made outstanding contributions in their respective fields, as scholars, leaders, humanitarians and sportspeople. We are very proud that they are becoming part of the Keele community, and we look forward to welcoming them to the University in July for the official ceremonies.”
The honorands for 2017 are:
Anthony J G Berry, MBE, SBSt.J, JP
Master of the University
In recognition of his outstanding contribution to the improvement and advancement of cardiac care in the region, through the foundation of the North Staffs Heart Committee, raising over £6 million over the past 37 years. In 1979 Anthony Berry co-founded North Staffs Heart Committee charity, and as Chairman for 37 years raised and administered approximately £7 million for ‘Local Hospital’ cardiac departments for ‘Improving and Advancing Cardiac Care in the region’.
Appointed MBE in 2006 for services to communities of North Staffordshire, 2012 appointed Serving Brother of the Most Venerable Order of St. John. (image courtesy of The Sentinel)
Joseph Clarke, MBE
Master of the University
In recognition of his inspirational self-determination to achieve his personal ambitions as an Olympian, bringing great distinction to his sport and the local area and as a role model for others.
Joseph Clarke is the 2016 Olympic champion in the men's slalom K-1, and has won medals in team events at World and European Championships. He won gold at the Olympics in the final with a time of 88.53 seconds, the first time a British competitor had won gold in this event.
Joyce D’Silva, M.A., D.Litt. (Hon)
Doctor of the University
In recognition of her services to animal welfare and her dedication to making the world a better place for animals and people alike.
Joyce D’Silva is a Patron of the Animal Interfaith Alliance and a Trustee of the UK branch of Help in Suffering, a charity carrying out veterinary work in Jaipur, India. She is on the Advisory Council of CreatureKind.
Dr Michael Fisher, MB ChB, DCH, FRCGP
Doctor of the University
In recognition of his outstanding contribution to the development and sustainment of primary care and general practice in the region and his significant contribution to the university.
As chairman and then Provost of the Midland Faculty of the Royal College of General Practitioners, Dr Michael Fisher served on the National Council RCGP and initiated the Medical Audit Group in Staffordshire.
He was also instrumental in establishing the Keele Research Practice Network facilitating the GP Academic Training Scheme linked to the MMedSci.
Datuk Professor Dr Asma Ismail, PhD
Doctor of the University
In recognition of her distinguished national and international career in research and senior management in education, she is a distinctive role model for women.
Prof Datuk Dr. Asma Ismail currently serves as the first woman Vice-Chancellor, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) and was the first woman VC of Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia in 2012 making her first woman appointed twice as VC of public universities. She served as the country’s first woman Director-General of Higher Education and is currently the first woman President of Academy of Sciences Malaysia (2016-2019).
Ros Kerslake, OBE
Doctor of the University
In recognition of her outstanding contribution as a strategic leader in philanthropy and local urban regeneration as well as your support of heritage and urban regeneration projects locally and nationally.
Ros Kerslake is currently Chief Executive of the Heritage Lottery Fund. In 2006 Ros was appointed as first CEO of The Prince’s Regeneration Trust and over the next ten years established it as a leading heritage-led regeneration charity. In 2016 Ros was awarded an OBE for services to British heritage and an honorary doctorate from Staffordshire University for her work in heritage and regeneration. She has a degree in Law and Psychology from Keele University and an MBA.
Dr Catherine Raines, BPharm, PhD, FRSA
Doctor of the University
In recognition of her local, national and international contribution to business and industry in both the public and private sectors, being an exceptional role model for our students and females in general.
Dr Catherine Raines is Director General of International Trade and Investment, the government’s global organisation that delivers advice, support, advocacy and promotion to facilitate UK trade and investment worldwide.