Development and External Affairs

Senator Feargal Quinn

The degree of Doctor of the University was conferred on Friday 23 November 2012 in recognition of Feargal Quinn's outstanding contribution to entrepreneurship, business and management.

A successful businessman, Feargal Quinn established the Superquinn supermarket chain in Ireland and went on to become the executive chairman of a chain of over 20 supermarkets, building a reputation for innovation and a high level of customer care. He is a popular trouble-shooter and his bestselling book Crowning the Customer is used by multi-national companies as an essential guide to customer care. In 1993, he was elected as Senator to the Seanad Eireann - the Irish Parliament - and he currently serves on the Joint Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation.

Ms Jean King

The degree of Doctor of the University was conferred on Friday 23 November 2012 in recognition of Jean King's outstanding contribution to the research output of the University of Stirling and world-wide cancer prevention.

As the Director of Tobacco Control at Cancer Research UK (CRUK), Jean King has played a lead role in controlling tobacco use.  She has developed the Code of Practice on Tobacco Industry Funding for Research, and has driven forward an international agenda to build a coherent response to the toll from tobacco use across national boundaries, including the establishment of the EU Smokefree Partnership that advocates for effective tobacco control. Within the UK, Jean was involved in the advertising ban campaign in the 1990s and, more recently, has worked to achieve comprehensive smokefree legislation.

Dr Ranee Jayamaha

The degree of Doctor of the University was conferred on Friday 23 November 2012 in recognition of Ranee Jayamaha's distinguished contribution to central banking in Sri Lanka and internationally.

Ranee Jayamaha was awarded MSc in Economics from Stirling University in the early 1970s and went on to develop a distinguished career in banking in Sri Lanka. She worked in the Central Bank of Sri Lanka and was then appointed Chairperson of Hatton National Bank, known as the Best Retail Bank in Sri Lanka. She is an advisor to the President of Sri Lanka and has successfully improved the efficiency of the country's financial system. Through her work, many Sri Lankans have access to banking services for the first time.

Dr Winifred Margaret Ewing

The degree of Doctor of the University was conferred in absentia on Friday 2 November 2012 in recognition of Winifred Ewing's outstanding contribution to politics and her role as a model for women in public life.

'Winnie' Ewing is one of the most influential Scots of her generation, and an iconic figure of Scottish politics. She graduated in law from the University of Glasgow and practiced as a solicitor before setting up her own independent practice. As a student, she became active in the Nationalists’ Association and came to prominence in 1967 when she won the watershed Hamilton by-election. She later served as an MEP and then as an MSP at the first session of the re-convened Scottish Parliament. In 2005, she stepped down as President of the SNP, bringing to an end her 38 year career in politics.

Mr Chan Lee Mun

The degree of Doctor of the University was conferred on Friday 7 September 2012 in recognition of Chan Lee Mun's outstanding support, engagement and leadership with respect to the University of Stirling's transnational operations in Singapore.

Chan Lee Mun helped to found Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP) in 1992 and served in a number of roles before being appointed Deputy Principal in 1998 and Principal and CEO in 2007. Under his leadership, NYP has received many prestigious awards including the Singapore Quality Award. In 2008, an international collaborative partnership agreement was signed between the University of Stirling and Nanyang Polytechnic. Mr Chan's support and guidance have been central to the success of this initiative and has ensured that the University of Stirling is acknowledged as a leading provider of higher education in Singapore.

The Right Honourable the Baroness Greengross of Notting Hill OBE

The degree of Doctor of the University was conferred on Wednesday 27 June 2012 in recognition of Lady Greengross' campaigning work in the field of ageing and dementia.

Sally Greengross is an international figure in the field of ageing and dementia and has held key roles including Director General of Age Concern England and Chief Executive of the International Longevity Centre – UK and Commissioner on the Equality and Human Rights Commission.  She is globally renowned for her work in social gerontology and was among the first to recognise the need to utilise the skills, experience and energy of active older generations.  In 2000, Lady Greengross was appointed as a crossbench member of the House of Lords.

The Right Honourable the Lord Davidson of Glen Clova

The degree of Doctor of the University was conferred on Wednesday 27 June 2012 in recognition of Lord Davidson's outstanding contribution to Scots Law and Public Affairs.

Neil Davidson is one of the University of Stirling’s most distinguished graduates and public servants, having graduated in 1971 with a Bachelor of Arts degree.  Lord Davidson is now one of the leading Scots lawyers of his generation and has served in both the Scottish and UK Governments as Solicitor General for Scotland and Advocate General for Scotland respectively. In 2006, he was elevated to the House of Lords as a life peer with the title Baron Davidson of Glen Clova.

Graeme Simmers CBE

The degree of Doctor of the University was conferred on Thursday 28 June in recognition of Graeme Simmers' outstanding contribution to the University as a lay member of University Court.

A Chartered Accountant by trade and a former Chairman of the Scottish Highland Hotels Group, Graeme Simmers has excelled in areas as diverse as Chairman of the Scottish Sports Council, Non-Executive Director of Forth Valley Health Board and Captain of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews. He served on the University Court until July 2010 and Chaired the key Audit Committee.  He brought great leadership, an assiduous attention to detail and wise counsel to these roles.

Professor Christine Hallett

The degree of Doctor of the University was conferred on Thursday 28 June 2012 in recognition of Christine Hallett's outstanding contribution to the development and re-shaping of the University of Stirling.

An international expert in the field of social policy, Professor Hallett’s insights and analysis of our social welfare systems remain highly influential, and her work on child welfare and protection is regarded as ground-breaking, laying the foundations for today’s good practice in child protection.

Following various roles in the University, Christine Hallett was appointed Principal & Vice-Chancellor in 2004 – the first woman to be appointed as Principal of a pre-1992 Scottish university.  Under her leadership, the University of Stirling thrived and, in her final year as Principal, the University of Stirling achieved the accolade of “Sunday Times Scottish University of the Year”.

Professor Donald Worster

The degree of Doctor of the University was conferred on Friday 25 November 2011 in recognition of Donald Worster's outstanding contribution to the field of Global Environmental History.

In the area of Environmental History, there are few figures who command greater respect than Professor Worster, who is widely regarded as one of the founding figures of the modern subject, playing a central part in establishing the subject as a credible academic discipline. His latest book "A Passion for Nature: The Life of John Muir," won the Homecoming Award for 2009 given by the Saltire Society at the National Library of Scotland.

Dr Robert Steedman

The degree of Doctor of the University was conferred on Friday 25 November 2011 in recognition of Robert Steedman's outstanding contribution to architecture and design in Scotland, including his contribution to the University of Stirling’s campus, Principal’s House and staff residences.

Robert Steedman founded his architectural practice Morris and Steedman in 1958 and their work was lauded for its wide range of innovative buildings and sensitive landscape designs. Dr Steedman is regarded as having fought, and won, acceptance for modern architecture in Scotland and his design for the Principal's residence at the University of Stirling has been described as one of the best examples of 1960s modern domestic architecture in Scotland.

William Ross Culbard

The degree of Master of Arts was conferred on Friday 4 November 2011 in recognition of Bill Culbard's long commitment to the University and in particular to the Cancer Care Research Centre’s work on patient experience and involvement.

Bill Culbard was diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer over 10 years ago, but survived this poor prognosis to turn his energies to improving the care of people affected by cancer. He has tirelessly supported the activities of the University’s Cancer Care Research Centre (CCRC), volunteering his time as a co-researcher and patient advisor, and has helped the University of Stirling position itself at the forefront of cancer research in Scotland.

Professor Karl Butzer

The degree of Doctor of the University was conferred on 29 June 2011 in recognition of Karl Butzer's outstanding contribution to geomorphology, archaeology and environmental history.

Karl Butzer is the Dickson Centennial Professor of Liberal Arts at the University of Texas, Austin and a distinguished scholar in the field of Geoarchaeology and Environmental History. 

In his early career he focused on modelling the paleoecology of early humans and since 2000, he has re-examined past understandings of the lives of people in ancient Egypt and in Mexico, and developed methods to examine the impact of climate change in these regions.

Sir Alex Ferguson

The degree of Doctor of the University was conferred on 29 June 2011 in recognition of Alex Ferguson's great distinction in the field of sport.

Sir Alex is the most successful manager in British football history having managed Aberdeen, Scotland and Manchester United. As manager of Aberdeen Football Club from 1978 to 1986, he famously lifted the European Cup Winners Cup in 1983. Then, in 1986, he moved south as manager of Manchester United. Sir Alex’s greatest achievement so far came in 1998/99, by winning the Premiership title, FA Cup and European Cup.

Sir Alex Ferguson was awarded the honour of Knight Bachelor in 1999.

Professor Ian Aitken OBE

The degree of Doctor of the University was conferred on 30 June 2011 in recognition of Ian Aitken's outstanding service to the University as a lay member of University Court.

Professor Aitken was an animal health and welfare scientist as Head of the Moredun Research Institute in Edinburgh from 1985 to 1997. Under his stewardship, the Institute developed into a multi-million pound leader with an international reputation.

After his retirement, he served as a lay member of the University Court from 2001 to 2009, participating in key committees and earning a reputation as an ideal lay member: wise, experienced and knowledgeable.

The Rt Hon Lord McFall of Alcluith

The degree of Doctor of the University was conferred on 30 June 2011 in recognition of John McFall's outstanding contribution to the UK Parliament.

John McFall began his career as a school teacher in the Glasgow area before being elected as MP for Dumbarton in 1987.  In government, he served as a Government Whip and Parliamentary Under Secretary of State in the Northern Ireland Office before being elected Chairman of the House of Commons Treasury Committee in 2001.

Lord McFall led the Committee as they played a key role in the recent banking crisis and in planning to prevent future crises.