University of Ulster honors Rory McIlroy, Sir Alex Ferguson, Sir Ian McKellen, and Gary Lightbody

Northern Irish university honors high achievers

Actor Sir Ian McKellen, CBE, is to receive the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters for his services to acting. His work has spanned genres from Shakespearean and modern theatre to popular fantasy and science fiction and he has many television, film, and stage appearances to his credit. He is possibly best known outside the theatre for roles such as Gandalf in the ‘Lord of the Rings’ film trilogy, his role as Magneto in The X Men and a surprise appearance as a con artist in ITV’s soap ‘Coronation Street’. He has been filming Peter Jackson’s two-part film version of ‘The Hobbit’, whose cast includes University of Ulster Chancellor James Nesbitt.

Irish American businessman William ‘Bill’ Flynn, former chairman of Mutual of America, will receive the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws (LLD) for his services to Peace and Reconciliation. 

A first-generation Irish-American with roots in Mayo and Down, he is considered by many to have played a pivotal role in the Northern Ireland peace process. In 2009, he was awarded an honorary CBE in recognition of his exceptional contribution to peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland.

Biotechnology entrepreneur Dr Susan Whoriskey from Boston will be awarded Doctor of Science for services to Biotech industry and entrepreneurship. Dr Whoriskey helped build two of Massachusetts most successful biotech companies, Cubist Pharmaceuticals and Momenta
Pharmaceuticals.

She is a member of the Clinical Translational Research and Innovation Centre’s (C-TRIC) International Advisory Panel. C-TRIC, the award winning clinical research facility based at Altnagelvin Hospital, was developed as a joint partnership between the University of Ulster at Magee, Western Health and Social Care Trust (Western Trust) and Derry City Council, with funding for the project provided by ILEX urban regeneration company and Invest Northern Ireland. 

Celebrity TV chef, author, journalist, and mother, Rachel Allen will be awarded the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science for her contribution to Culinary Arts. The Dubliner learnt her craft - and met her husband - at the world-renowned Ballymaloe Cookery School in Cork.

Rachel’s popular television series on both RTE and BBC and her best selling cookery books are all based on her basic philosophy that good ingredients simply prepared give great results.

Ms Rosemary Kelly OBE will be awarded the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters (DLitt) for services to the arts and education. The former chairperson of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and a Governor of the Irish Times Trust, she is also former Head of Public Affairs and Company Secretary for BBC Northern Ireland.

She has served on a number of public and voluntary bodies including the Ofcom Content Board in London (the broadcasting regulator); Chairman of the Ormeau Baths Gallery (the contemporary art gallery in Belfast), Deputy Chairman of the Ulster Orchestra, and on the Council of the University of Ulster. She was also a founding member of the Irish Film and Television Academy, and was awarded an OBE in January 2009 for services to the arts.

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Nster.com