News

Wednesday 13 July 2005

University announces honorary graduates

A Vice-Chairman of the British Olympic Association will be among those collecting honorary degrees at Nottingham Trent University’s award ceremonies this summer. Albert Woods will be joined by chartered psychologist Dr Anthony Gale, lawyer Ian McLaren QC and Pension Service Senior Manager, Janet Mills.

Albert Woods will receive an Honorary Degree of Master of Science (MSc) at a ceremony on July 22 in recognition of his national and international prominence as a sportsman, sports organiser and administrator. Albert was an athlete in the British Canoe Slalom and Wildwater teams in the 1970s and competed in two world championships in Italy and Switzerland. He was British Team Manager for Canoe Slalom from 1973 to 1986.

Albert is also a member of the National Olympic Committee, a member of the British Olympic Association, President of the British Canoe Union and President of the European Canoe Federation.

Dr Anthony Gale, a former President of the British Psychological Society (BPS) will receive an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science (DSc) on July 21. This is in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the teaching and learning of psychology and for his part in the development of the psychology degree programme at Nottingham Trent University.

After completing a degree in philosophy and psychology, Dr Gale lectured at Exeter, Swansea and Cardiff and was appointed Chair of Psychology at Southampton in 1976.

After retiring from Southampton in 1994 he moved to Portsmouth to become Professor of Experimental Psychology.

Much of Dr Gale’s published research and writing is in psychophysiology, particularly the biological basis of personality. He was elected a Fellow of the BPS in 1974 and won the society’s award for Distinguished Contributions to the Teaching of Psychology in 2001. A year later he was made an Honorary Fellow and was elected to the Academy of Learned Societies in the Social Sciences.

Ian McLaren QC is being awarded an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws (LLD) on July 21. This is to mark his contribution to the prosperity and development of the legal community in Nottingham, as well as his active personal and professional role in the success of Nottingham Trent University’s Bar Vocational Course.

He read law at the University of Nottingham and was awarded an entrance scholarship to Gray’s Inn, one of the Inns of Court. Following his Bar Finals he was awarded the Macaskie Scholarship as the highest placed student from Gray’s Inn.

Ian has practised in Nottingham throughout his career at the Bar. He joined Ropewalk Chambers in 1962, becoming its Head in 2000. He became a Queen’s Counsel and Assistant Recorder in 1993 and a Recorder in 1996, sitting in the County Court in civil and family law cases. In 2004 he was elected a Master of the Bench of Gray’s Inn. Ian’s practice concentrates on civil law matters and he has appeared in a number of high profile cases.

Janet Mills, a Senior Manager with the Pension Service is receiving an Honorary Degree of Master of Arts (MA) on July 21. This is for her contribution both at a national level in shaping the strategic direction of the Department of Work and Pensions, and locally in engaging the East Midlands policy world with the regional implications of demographic ageing.

After more than 30 years in public service, Janet’s commitment to welfare reform in the deprived communities of Nottingham was recognised when she was awarded an MBE in the Millennium honours list of 2000. She has worked with a number of public and voluntary sector partners to develop a strategic analysis of the issues facing older people in the region. This culminated in a publication, in conjunction with Nottingham Trent University, addressing the challenges of demographic ageing.

She is currently working with local authorities and the voluntary sector in the East Midlands region to develop integrated, holistic services that support older people, and will form the basis of a Link-Age Service. Janet has always lived in Nottingham and is a city magistrate.

Nottingham Trent University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Neil Gorman, said: “The award of an honorary degree recognises a life of extraordinary achievement and reinforces the recipients’ connections with Nottingham.”

ENDS

For more information please contact:

Dave Rogers, Press Officer, on Tel: 0115 848 2650 or via email: dave.rogers@ntu.ac.uk

Or Therese Easom, Press and Media Relations Manager, on Tel: 0115 848 6589 or via email: therese.easom@ntu.ac.uk