World famous musician plays at Coventry University graduation ceremony as he is awarded Honorary Doctorate.
Coventry University yesterday presented world-famous pianist, organist and conductor Wayne Marshall OBE with an Honorary Doctorate of Arts in recognition of outstanding services to music and musical performance. As well as receiving the honour, Wayne played a 20-minute program as the students entered the ceremony at Coventry Cathedral, which is also where he recorded his first commercial solo organ CD for EMI.
Wayne Marshall:
“I’m extremely grateful for this wonderful award, it’s a great honour. I first came here to Coventry back in 1990 when I made my first commercial organ CD on this amazing instrument. My journey to getting here has been long; I have been working all over the world and have been very fortunate to be able to travel. This is a wonderful institution and I’m very happy, it’s been a real pleasure to be here today. Thank you very much indeed, Coventry University.”
Wayne, who began piano studies at just three and appeared on BBC Proms, played pieces by J.S. Bach – his famous Toccata and Fugue in D minor, and Franz Schmidt. The Prince of Denmark’s March was played for the students’ entrance, and the Final from Symphonie no 1 by Louis Vierne was played at the end of the ceremony on 19th March.
Dr Alison Walker will also receive an Honorary Doctorate of Science this week in recognition of dedicated contribution to the enhancement of pre-hospital care across the West Midlands and the country. Alison has worked for the NHS for more than 30 years and been with West Midlands Ambulance Service as Medical Director and Honorary Medical Advisor since 2010.
She is Chair of JRCALC, the Joint Royal Colleges Ambulance Liaison Committee which sets the guidelines for how all ambulance staff operate from a clinical perspective across the UK. Last year she also received a prestigious Gold Medal from the Royal College of Emergency Medicine for her work developing links between hospitals and ambulance services during the pandemic. Alison is also heavily involved in research, not only undertaking investigations herself but supporting others to make steps forward in medical care.
Coventry University will also honour Professor Graham Henderson CBE with an Honorary Doctorate of Education in recognition of significant contribution and commitment to Higher Education.
Graham, who graduated from Coventry University in 1975 with a degree in maths, went on to work in higher education for 40 years, most recently as Vice-Chancellor of Teesside University before he retired, where, among his achievements, he led Teesside to become the first ever modern (post-92) University to be recognised as THE University of the Year, a landmark moment for the higher education sector. No stranger to a graduation ceremony, the former VC attended every single one during his 12-year tenure at Teesside.
