Two inspirational women from Stoke-on-Trent have been selected to receive Staffordshire University’s highest honour.
Our awards ceremonies are made all the more special by the awarding of honorary degrees to inspirational people who share in the University’s values and who help us to drive up education and skills in our region.
Retired professional English squash player Angela Smith, now well-known for her ambassadorial role with Stoke City football Club and as Chair of the Supporters Council, will be awarded Honorary Doctor of Science at a ceremony at the King’s Hall next Wednesday 13 November. Angela is widely recognised for changing the face of women’s squash through a career that pushed the sport to new audiences and took her around the globe as both competitor and coach.
The next day, Emmy and BAFTA award winning producer Olwyn Silvester who started her broadcasting career answering phones at BBC Radio Stoke, will also be recognised with an honorary degree. Originally from Hartshill, Olwyn’s credits include several landmark documentaries with Sir David Attenborough, the highly-regarded Trial and Error on Channel 4, and multiple series for the BBC, National Geographic, History, Discovery and other channels.
They join champions of Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Martin Tideswell, Sentinel Editor in Chief; Danny Flynn CEO of YMCA North Staffordshire; Keith Brymer-Jones, Ceramic designer and star judge on The Great Pottery Throw Down, and Alun Rogers, Interim Chair of Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire LEP who were all recognised with honorary degrees at Staffordshire University’s summer graduation ceremonies.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Liz Barnes CBE said: “Our awards ceremonies are made all the more special by the awarding of honorary degrees to inspirational people who share in the University’s values and who help us to drive up education and skills in our region.”
“We are delighted to be connected to people who are achieving great things in their field and deserve this honour for the tremendous work they do.”
More than 700 graduates are to be congratulated on their achievements by Professor Liz Barnes and Chancellor of Staffordshire University, the Lord Stafford over four ceremonies at the King’s Hall, Stoke. They graduate from a range of awards including accelerated degrees, higher and degree apprenticeships, postgraduate and healthcare awards and will enjoy a reception after each ceremony with families and friends in the Spode China Hall.