Graduation 2010
29 July 2010
Stephen Fry
@stephenfry: “Time for Cardiff Uni ceremony. The darlings are making me an hon fellow. Sweet Matthew Rhys & Michael Sheen have given me Welsh to say. Eek!”
So tweeted Stephen Fry on the day he came to Cardiff to receive his Honorary Fellowship from the University.
The actor, author and presenter was one of ten eminent individuals recognised during graduation week (12-16 July) for their outstanding contributions to their field of work. Others included opera star Rebecca Evans, Eliza Manningham-Buller - the former head of MI5, and Sir Nicholas Kenyon, Managing Director of the Barbican Centre.
Watch Stephen Fry's speech
More than 7000 students graduated in this year’s ceremonies, which were held for the first time over one week and another first, presided over by University President Professor Sir Martin Evans – recipient of the 2007 Nobel Prize for Medicine. Amongst the graduates was boxer Nathan Cleverly and maths whiz Alex Thorne. At just 15 years old, Alex graduated from the School of Maths with first-class honours. Alongside Alex, European light-heavyweight boxing champion Nathan Cleverly secured his BSc in Mathematics.
Speaking about his time at Cardiff, Nathan said: “I have always tried to make the most of my opportunities – whether it is an exam or a fight. My tutors have been very good about giving me the time I needed for boxing – and likewise, my trainers have understood the demands of undergraduate study.
“These years at Cardiff University have been the best of my life. I have no regrets about combining boxing and mathematics – they have both given me a tremendous amount.”
Writing in the graduation edition of Cardiff News, the Vice-Chancellor said: “The fantastic experience our students enjoy each year is down to the hard work and dedication of the staff, both academic and professional. I would like to thank all members of the University, staff and students, for their enormous contribution. Congratulations to you all – you have all played a part in Graduation 2010!”
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Graduation in numbers
19,000: the number of family members and friends welcomed to Cardiff for the ceremonies
13: the number of ceremonies that took place during the week
600: the number of staff involved in organising the ceremonies
1200: the number of punnets of strawberries consumed in celebratory events!
Read more student stories in our graduation edition of Cardiff News http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/news/newsletter/index.html
Watch all of the graduation ceremonies and Honorary Fellows speeches at www.cardiff.ac.uk/graduation
