Honorary Graduates Join Students for Celebration of Achievements

he UK’s most senior military officer in North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the broadcaster responsible for bringing commercial radio to Lincolnshire have both been honoured with awards from the University of Lincoln this week.

Air Chief Marshall Sir Stuart Peach, Chairman of the Military Committee of NATO has received the award of Honorary Doctor of the University, while Michael Betton, Founder and CEO of the Lincs FM Group has been awarded the Chancellor’s Medal.

They were recognised by the institution during a series of spectacular graduation ceremonies held at Lincoln Cathedral over two days during which the hard work of more than 800 students was recognised as they received their degree certificates.

Air Chief Marshall Sir Stuart Peach is a former UK Chief of Defence Staff and since 2018 has served as NATO’s most senior military officer. He is the Military Adviser to the Secretary General and the North Atlantic Council.

He holds the position of Chairman of the Imperial War Museum in London and is the Deputy Lieutenant of the County of Lincolnshire. He was awarded the Queenÿs Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air in 1990, an operational CBE for command in the Balkans in support of NATO in 2001. He was knighted by HM The Queen (KCB) in 2009 and became a Knight Grand Cross of the British Empire (GBE) in 2016. Air Chief Marshal Peach is also Deputy Lieutenant of the County of Lincolnshire.

Founder and CEO of Lincs FM Group, Michael Betton, first formed the group in 1991 and the station quickly became the local market leader. Under his guidance, the group grew, ultimately operating eight services in Lincolnshire, the East Midlands and Yorkshire. Throughout his 28 years with Lincs FM he was also a Director of the Commercial Radio trade association, Radio Centre. He was instrumental in ensuring that commercial radio staff could participate in a secure pension scheme, financially separate from individual companies.

Professor Mary Stuart, Vice Chancellor of the University of Lincoln, said: “Our graduation ceremonies are not simply a formal tradition, they are the celebration of a momentous achievement, and it is only right that the grandeur of the setting matches those efforts.

“The whole University of Lincoln community takes pride and inspiration from those achievements, and we cannot wait to see where our alumni take their next steps.

“As well as celebrating the successes of our students – and the staff whose hard work helped make their achievements possible – we are delighted to be able to recognise the accomplishments of people who have contributed to our county and our country through their professional lives through our honorary awards.”

Four ceremonies took place at Lincoln Cathedral over Wednesday 22nd and Thursday 23rd January, with celebrations held in the grounds of Lincoln Castle.

The ceremonies began with a trumpeter procession outside the cathedralÿs west front, before University academics, honorands and special guests processed down the central nave of the cathedral for the event.

Graduands donned in caps and gowns filled the main cathedral space, before taking the stage one by one to be awarded their degree certificate and congratulated by staff, students, friends and family members.

A highlight of the academic calendar, University of Lincoln graduation ceremonies take place twice a year, with the next ceremonies in September. To find out more, visit www.lincoln.ac.uk.