World record number of honorary graduates

Tuesday 1 November 2011

The oldest in attendance was 92 year old Veronica Hughes, who now lives in Devon. Veronica studied domestic science, graduating originally in 1942 during the Second World War. Also in attendance were Barbara and Michael Cutland, aged 81 and 82, of Kingston, Surrey, who met at their first lesson at Battersea Polytechnic and College of Technology College in 1948.

All those who were given honorary degrees first graduated from Battersea Polytechnic and College of Technology – the precursor institution to the University of Surrey – and this year, to mark the 120th anniversary of the institution, people came from around the world to be awarded special honorary degrees.

Those in attendance had a total combined age of 25,993 and many came from as far away as Australia, Japan and South Africa.

Professor Christopher Snowden, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Surrey, said: “We are delighted to be welcoming so many former Battersea students to this ceremony.

“As we celebrate our 120th year, it is fitting that we honour those graduates who studied at Battersea during such a pivotal stage in the University’s development.”

Alumni from the South London institutions, which paved the way for the formation of Surrey in 1966, received Bachelor of the University awards when they took part in one of two graduation ceremonies.

The landmark event attracted a huge level of interest from Battersea’s graduates, with guests spanning the 30-year period from 1941 to 1971 in attendance.

Media Enquiries

Howard Wheeler, Press Office at the University of Surrey, Tel: +44 (0)1483 686141, or Email mediarelations@surrey.ac.uk