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Olympic diving coach, Oscar winner and inspirational CEO all set to receive honorary degrees
Diving coach Ady Hinchliffe
Ady Hinchliffe, Ben Wilkins and Nahid Rasool are among those set to receive honorary degrees from Leeds Beckett University during this summer’s graduations.
The graduation ceremonies will take place at the University’s Headingley Campus between Monday 24 and Friday 28 July, where the honorary award recipients will join around 5,000 students celebrating their graduation from Leeds Beckett this year.
Ady Hinchliffe was Head Coach for the City of Leeds Diving Club, home to six of the current British podium divers, for over 20 years. His leadership of the team resulted in Leeds divers Jack Laugher and Chris Mears taking gold for Team GB in Rio in 2016, and Jack winning another silver. Ady will be awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Sport Science at 10am on Friday 28 July, for his world-class services to sport coaching.
Leeds Beckett University Chancellor, Sir Bob Murray CBE, said: “Ady has managed to accomplish what no diving coach in the world has ever done. To start a club from the bottom and raise it to international in the diving world - from National Skills medallists to Olympic champions - is truly remarkable.
“He has dedicated himself to the club and divers, and helped so many to achieve national and international success with his world-class coaching skills. Leeds diving under Ady’s stewardship has never been stronger, and as an alumnus of the University, we couldn’t be prouder of him as we award him this Honorary Doctorate.”
Ben Wilkins, the Oscar and BAFTA-winning Supervising Sound Editor and Re-Recording Mixer at Warner Bros, will receive an Honorary Doctorate of Arts from Leeds Beckett on Thursday 27 July. The influential artist, who has edited and mixed award-winning soundtracks for dozens of well-known films and TV projects, including Whiplash, Star Trek, Twister, The Walking Dead and The Sopranos, will be officially recognised for his contribution to music and film.
Sir Bob Murray CBE said: “We are delighted to recognise Ben’s huge contribution to music and film.
“Receiving both an Oscar and BAFTA for his work is testament to his immense talent and he has demonstrated that passion, combined with hard work, can lead to enormous success.
“As well as creating well-known soundtracks for numerous films, Ben has also inspired our students first hand, which makes this award even more special. In 2016, he spent a week as a visiting artist at the University and included the MA Music for Film, MA Sound Recording and Design, and BA (Hons) Filmmaking students in the mixing of the University Cluster Bid funded feature length documentary film, Mansfield 66/67.
“We’re looking forward to welcoming him back and formally recognising his exceptional work, which inspires many of our students.”
Nahid Rasool, Chief Executive of the Shantona Women’s Centre
Nahid Rasool is Chief Executive of the Shantona Women’s Centre, and will be awarded an Honorary Doctorate of the University on Wednesday 26 July for her contribution to the public and voluntary sector in Leeds. Nahid has been Chief Executive of the Shantona Women’s Centre for the past 18 years and will be officially recognised by the University for her commitment to empowering communities in Leeds.
Nahid said: “I’m delighted to receive this award and it’s brilliant that the Shantona Women’s Centre has been recognised for the amazing work it carries out.
“What makes this award even more special is that I completed my Masters in Business Administration at Leeds Beckett in 2008, which has really helped me shape the Shantona Women’s Centre into a more successful, sustainable organisation.”
Dr Bob Price OBE
Also receiving an honorary award is Dr Bob Price OBE, an international pioneer for the progression of disabled athletes, who graduated from the Carnegie School of Sport in 1970 with a PE degree. Bob will be awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Sport Science at 1pm on Friday 28 July, for his global services to disability sport.
The full list of the nine honorary degrees to be awarded by Leeds Beckett University is:
Monday 24 July, 1pm Caroline White, Hon Doctorate of Sport Science. Caroline is the CEO of the Youth Hostels Association, giving young people life-changing opportunities through travel, education and engagement with others.
Tuesday 25 July, 1pm –Rae McGrath, Hon Doctorate of Laws. Rae is a Writer and Independent Advisor on humanitarian response to conflict and natural emergencies. Rae, who was Mercy Corps Director responsible for programmes in North Syria & Turkey including migration response, has an enduring interest in all aspects of civil society advocacy, the effects of popular language on the rights of minorities and the impact of sustained bombardments on civilian populations, especially on youth.
Wednesday 26 July, 10am – Sally-Anne Greenfield, Hon Doctorate of the University. Sally Anne is founder of Leeds Community Foundation, which channels financial resources to help local issues of child sexual exploitation, domestic violence and the poverty gap, amongst others.
Wednesday 26 July, 1pm – Professor Susan Price CBE, Hon Doctorate of Arts. Susan is the former Vice Chancellor of the University and a long-standing contributor to the Higher Education sector.
Wednesday 26 July, 4pm – Nahid Rasool, Hon Doctorate of the University. As CEO of Shantona Women’s Centre, Nahid provides crucial support to women of all different cultures and backgrounds.
Thursday 27 July, 10am – Ben Wilkins, Hon Doctorate of Arts. Ben was the sound mixer on the BAFTA / Oscar- winning film ‘Whiplash’ in 2015. He works at Warner Sound in Los Angeles.
Friday 28 July, 10am – Ady Hinchliffe, Hon Doctorate of Sport Science. Ady is a national coach within the Australian team, a former British Olympic Diving Coach and former Head Coach for the City of Leeds Diving Club, home to six of the British podium divers. He is also a Leeds Beckett graduate.
Friday 28 July, 1pm – Dr Bob Price OBE, Hon Doctorate of Sport Science. During his work on various international Paralympic committees, Dr Price, alumni of the University, has created a lasting legacy for athletes across the world who have an intellectual disability.
Friday 28 July, 4pm – Kadeena Cox MBE, Hon Doctorate of the University. Kadeena is a Leeds Beckett graduate and Paralympic world record-breaker.