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University celebrates the class of 2024

Published: 2024-07-17 09:35:00
Aerial view of the backs of people’s heads, all wearing graduation mortar boards. They are sat in a big hall, with a large blue University of Southampton board at the front.
Students inside the O2 Guildhall Southampton for their graduation ceremony

The annual summer graduation ceremonies for University of Southampton students get underway today, with thousands of hard-earned degrees being awarded in Southampton and Winchester.

A total of 18 ceremonies are being held over seven days – with 17 of those taking place in the O2 Guildhall Southampton.

The 18th will be at Winchester Cathedral for graduates from the university’s Winchester School of Art.

A total of 4,700 students will pick up their undergraduate degrees, masters degrees and postgraduate qualifications.

The ceremonies will see the university’s two new Chancellors officially appointed to their posts. The Rt Hon Justine Greening and Lord Kamlesh Patel of Bradford will be joint Chancellors for an initial five-year term.

Woman with shoulder length blonde hair, wearing a black top and beige blazer The Chancellor is a ceremonial figurehead, presiding over graduation ceremonies and acting as an ambassador for the university.

Ms Greening (pictured), who graduated from Southampton with a degree in Business and Accounting in 1990, was an MP from 2005 to 2019 and has since been an active campaigner for social mobility and equal opportunity.

Lord Patel (pictured below) is a patron for the university’s India Centre for Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Development and Chair of the India Business Group. A former social worker, he later worked in academia and government roles relating to health, education and social care.

The University of Southampton is also awarding three honorary degrees at this summer’s graduation – for pioneers of the internet, health, and psychology.

Man in grey blazer with orange handkerchief, wearing glasses, smiling Honorary degrees recognise those whose contributions and achievements are an inspiration, and whose expertise is valued nationally and globally.

Honorary graduates this summer are Vinton G Cerf, co-designer of the architecture of the internet, Professor Lucy Chappell, Chief Scientific Advisor for the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), and eminent psychologist Gerd Gigerenzer.

Vinton Cerf said: "I feel especially honored by this degree from the University of Southampton, not least because of its connection with the Optoelectronics Research Centre and its distinguished leader, Professor Sir David Payne. It was through Sir David that I came to know the University and its prominence. I will carry that respect and gratitude with me from this time forward."

And Gerd Gigerenzer said: “I feel truly honoured and privileged to receive this honorary degree from the University of Southampton. I hope that my research on decision making under uncertainty can assist the scientific community and the university leadership to make good decisions in these uncertain times.”

Professor Mark E. Smith, the university’s President and Vice-Chancellor, said: “Graduation is such a special event for the university, as we rightfully celebrate and congratulate our fantastic students for their achievements, and wish them well as they progress onto the next stage of their careers.

“It’s also a great opportunity to raise a glass to the commitment and dedication of our staff who have supported the students through their studies.”

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