Summer honour for former UK Member of Parliament (MP) and Secretary of State

John Denham, former UK Member of Parliament (MP) and Secretary of State, received his Honorary Doctorate from the University on Wednesday 13 July 2016.

Denham, who graduated with a degree in Chemistry from Southampton in 1974, was made an Honorary Doctor of Science by University Chancellor, Dame Helen Alexander.

“Setting out as I did a long time ago now, I leave you with the message that the world is not there to survive in, it’s not there to live in, it’s there to be changed,” he enthused. “Do, in whatever you think is right, try to do that.”

Denham is now Director for the Centre for English Politics and Identity at Winchester University and a visiting Professor at the London School of Economics. He chairs both the Southern Policy Centre and Culture Southampton.

To read more about this year’s graduation ceremonies including the full list of honorary degrees and fellowships click here.