Alumni engagement and philanthropy

Brian O’Driscoll, Katie Melua and Dermot Desmond to receive honorary degrees from Queen’s

One of the most internationally-recognised Irish rugby players of all time, Brian O’Driscoll, is to be honoured by Queen’s University for services to sport.  O’Driscoll, in his final season as a player with Leinster and Ireland, ended his international career last Saturday evening when victory in Paris ensured Ireland were crowned 2014 Six Nations champions.

The rugby legend will be joined by musician and singer Katie Melua who will be recognised for services to music and by businessman Dermot Desmond, ranked by the Sunday Independent as the seventh-richest person in Ireland.

Among others being honoured this year are Nobel Prize winning physicist Peter Higgs, for services to science, the former Head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service and former Pro-Chancellor of the University, Sir David Fell, and founder of global software consulting company Infosys Limited, Narayana Murthy.

Being recognised for services to film and drama are Irish film, television and stage actor Ciaran Hinds and Mark Huffam, who is credited with producing Hollywood blockbusters including Saving Private Ryan, Captain Corelli’s Mandolin and The Hours. And also from the arts is columnist, literary editor, and drama critic Fintan O’Toole who will be honoured for services to broadcasting. 

Former Vice-Chancellor of Queen’s, Professor Sir Peter Gregson will be honoured for services to the University and to Higher Education.  Under his tenure, Queen’s joined the Russell Group in 2006 and received two Queen’s Anniversary Prizes for Higher Education in 2006 and 2012, for work on for Northern Ireland's Comprehensive Cancer Services programme and for world-class achievement in green chemistry.

Queen's awards honorary degrees to individuals who have achieved high distinction or given significant service in one or more fields of public or professional life, and who serve as ambassadors for the University and Northern Ireland around the world.

The full list of honorary degrees to be awarded is as follows:

  • Brian O’Driscoll, DUniv for services to sport
  • Katie Melua, DLit (Mus) for services to music
  • Professor Alice Brown CBE, DSSc for services to education and social justice
  • Dermot Desmond, DSc Econ for services to business and commerce
  • Sir David Fell, LLD for services to the University and distinction in public service and business and commerce
  • Professor Sir Peter Gregson, LLD for services to the University and to Higher Education
  • Ciaran Hinds, DUniv for distinction in film and drama
  • Mark Huffam, DUniv for distinction in film and drama
  • Professor Henrietta Moore, DSSc for services to social sciences
  • Narayana Murthy, DSc Econ for services to business and commerce
  • Fintan O’Toole, DLit for services to broadcasting
  • Professor Peter Higgs, DSc for services to science

 

Brian O’Driscoll photo: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire

Media inquiries to Claire O’Callaghan, Queen’s University Communications Office, tel: +44 (0)28 9097 5391 or email: c.ocallaghan@qub.ac.uk

 

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