More than 3,500 graduating students will be joined by public figures who are leaders in their field to celebrate their achievements; the honorary doctors have been chosen in line with the University’s mission and values.
The 2024 recipients are:
- Chris Kirkland, former professional goalkeeper, a Liverpool FC player and winner of an England cap;
- Dame Louise Ellman, former Leader of Lancashire County Council and former Member of Parliament for Liverpool Riverside;
- The Right Honourable Lord Justice Holroyde, Court of Appeal judge and Vice President of the Criminal Division;
- The Lord Shuttleworth (Charles) KG KCVO, who served as Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire until 2023, and Lady Ann Shuttleworth, who was High Sheriff of Lancashire in 1999;
- Steve Igoe, former Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Edge Hill University who recently retired after 28 years service.
The week-long celebration of learning and excellence will run from 15-19 July, with each honorary making a speech to a packed lecture theatre of graduands, and their supporters, excited to collect their hard-earned qualifications.
Chris Kirkland is best known for his career as a professional goalkeeper, he fulfilled a childhood dream of playing for Liverpool FC, in addition to Wigan Athletic and Sheffield Wednesday, and he won a cap for England playing against Greece.
Chris has been open about battling mental health issues and beating addiction to painkillers and has become an inspirational advocate to young people for being open and honest about mental wellbeing – he has worked in this area with the LFC Foundation and Edge Hill University.
During her political career Dame Louise Ellman has been a strong advocate for devolution and regional regeneration. She worked tirelessly to overturn miscarriages of justice, including securing new inquests into the Hillsborough disaster.
Lord Justice Tim Holroyde (above) was leading counsel for the prosecution in the trial relating to the deaths of more than 20 Chinese cockle pickers caught by the incoming tide and drowned in Morecambe Bay in 2004, and has heard the appeals of those prosecuted and convicted based on evidence arising from the Post Office Horizon scandal.
Lord and Lady Shuttleworth have devoted their time to public service; Lord Shuttleworth has been chairman of the Association of Lord-Lieutenants for 10 years and patron to charities including The Prince’s Trust Lancashire while Lady Shuttleworth is currently Lay Canon for Blackburn Cathedral and has held more than 20 positions of a charitable nature since becoming President of the Royal College of Midwives for Lancaster.
Steve Igoe first joined Edge Hill University in 1996 and has been instrumental in numerous initiatives that have shaped Edge Hill’s growth and success. Under his leadership, the University has seen a marked transformation including more than £350m invested in award-winning facilities over the last 10 years, most recently a £53.4m investment in a new Life Sciences facility, Students’ Union and accommodation providing 232 en-suite rooms.
Dr John Cater, Vice-Chancellor of Edge Hill University, said: “We feel privileged to be welcoming Chris, Steve, Dame Louise, Lord Justice Holroyde, and Lord and Lady Shuttleworth to our Edge Hill community.
“Graduation is a wonderful moment for students and their supporters, and we hope that collecting their certificates alongside such inspirational people will encourage our departing students to pursue their ambitions with enthusiasm.”
Edge Hill’s Academic Board awards honorary degrees in recognition of the highest levels of personal achievement in academic, professional or public life.
Previous recipients include BBC journalist Clive Myrie, comedian Michael Pennington, better known as Johnny Vegas, actor David Morrissey, screenwriter and playwright Heidi Thomas, and Wally Brown CBE, ex-college Principal and community leader in Liverpool.
July 4, 2024
