Doctor Who star Ncuti Gatwa to receive honorary doctorate
Doctor Who Star Ncuti Gatwa to Be Honored with Honorary Doctorate
The University of Glasgow is set to present honorary degrees to several notable figures later this year, including Ncuti Gatwa, the actor who portrayed the Doctor in the BBC’s long-running sci-fi series for two seasons. Alongside Gatwa, Stuart Murdoch, the frontman of the Glasgow-based band Belle & Sebastian, will also receive an honorary title. The ceremony, scheduled for June, will feature a range of recipients, such as BBC journalist Sarah Smith and her younger sister, Baroness Catherine Smith, who serves as the Advocate General for Scotland.
Additional honorees will be recognized during the university’s summer and winter graduation events. Among them are musicians Deacon Blue and Eddi Reader, who will be conferred honorary degrees. The special Commemoration Day ceremony on Wednesday, 17 June, will mark the 575th anniversary of the university’s founding in 1451. This event will highlight the institution’s historical significance while celebrating its current graduates and honored individuals.
Details of the Honors
Gatwa, who has gained international recognition for his role in the Doctor Who series, will be awarded a Doctor of the University. Similarly, Sarah Smith, the BBC’s North America editor, will receive the same distinction. Baroness Catherine Smith, a graduate of the University of Glasgow in history, will also be honored. Glasgow’s Lord Provost, Jacqueline McLaren, will join them in this recognition.
Stuart Murdoch will be conferred a Doctor of Music for his contributions to the music industry. Other recipients include Professor Guido Tabellini, who will earn a Doctor of Letters, and Dr. Stuart Campbell, an emeritus professor of obstetrics and gynaecology at King’s College London, who will be given a Doctor of Science.
“Commemoration Day provides an opportunity to reflect on our remarkable history,” said Prof Andy Schofield, the principal and vice chancellor of the university. “Honorary degrees allow us to acknowledge individuals whose achievements have made a significant impact in their fields and beyond. Their work reflects values that continue to inspire our community. I am pleased to welcome these honorary graduates into the University of Glasgow family at this important moment, celebrating them with our new graduates.”