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Honorary Degrees Presented at Winter Degree Congregation

Sir Alec Jeffrey with Vice-Chancellor Nigel Thrift and Professor Robert FreedmanThis year’s Winter Degree Congregation took place on Tuesday 30 January, with three ceremonies held over the course of the day. Honorary degrees were presented to renowned DNA specialist Professor Sir Alec Jeffreys, award-winning actor Sir Antony Sher and acclaimed composer Michael Nyman.

Professor Sir Alec Jeffreys was honoured with an Hon DSc (Doctor of Science). His long and distinguished scientific career includes DNA research which led to the discovery of DNA fingerprinting. He has received many honours including a fellowship of the Royal Society 1986 and Europe’s leading medical award the Louis-Jeantet Prize 2004.

Sir Anthony was awarded with an Hon DLitt (Doctor of Letters). He has played major roles in many significant theatrical productions, as well as starring on television and the big screen, writing a number of books and exhibiting at the London Jewish Cultural Centre.

Michael Nyman also received an Hon DLitt. Michael is an acclaimed British composer, pianist, librettist and musicologist and has been a regular performer at the Arts Centre for many years. He has created music for a great number of films – one of the most acclaimed being the score to the award winning 1993 film The Piano.

The final ceremony of the day included the first performance of Michael Nyman’s latest musical work, Fanfare, which was written especially for the University’s degree ceremonies and was performed by Warwick musicians.