Leading figures from the fields of sport, business, screen and media, are being honoured at the University of Aberdeen’s annual winter graduation ceremonies this weekend.
Today (Friday, November 23) Scottish athlete and international swimmer David Carry received the Honorary Degree of Master of the University (MUniv) at the morning ceremony. At the afternoon ceremony David Craig, leading Chairman of the family-run global shipping and energy service firm, Craig Group, will receive his honorary degree - Doctor of Honoris Causa (DHC). He will be joined by screenwriter and film producer, Allan Shiach, who will also receive his honorary degree - Doctor of Honoris Causa (DHC).
On Saturday, November 24, Derek Tucker
On Saturday, November 24, Derek Tucker, currently the longest-serving editor of a daily newspaper in Scotland, will receive the honorary degree of Doctor of Honoris Causa (DHC).
Friday, November 23, at 11.00am
David Carry - Honorary Degree of Master of the University (MUniv)
Scottish Athlete and International Swimmer
David Carry is a Commonwealth and European swimming champion. In 2006, aged 24, he represented Scotland in the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne and won a Gold Medal in the 400m freestyle final, setting a new Scottish record of 3:48.17. He went on to win another Gold Medal for the Men's 400m individual medley event with a Games record time of 4:15:98. He was also a member the quartet which took silver in the 4x200m Freestyle relay in Melbourne, a performance repeated at the 2006 European Championships in Budapest. In July 2007, David Carry won the double gold at the British championship for the 200m and 400m freestyle events at the Amateur Swimming Association National Championships in Sheffield. Currently enduring a gruelling training schedule, David Carry is focused on success at the Beijing Olympics in 2008.
Friday, November 23, at 3.00pm
David B Craig - Doctor of Honoris Causa (DHC)
Chairman, Craig Group
David Craig is Chairman of the Craig Group, the family-run global shipping and energy service firm Craig Group. He became a seaman at the age of 16, the year before his parents, George and Mary, founded the fishing business which would become the Craig Group. At the age of 21 he became Aberdeen's youngest skipper. Together with his brother George, David Craig directed onshore and seagoing operations which, for more than half a century, played a leading part in fishing in the North Sea, Faroes, Iceland and Norway. The family business thrived and expanded to some 23 vessels on Britain's arrival in the Common Market. With the reduction of fishing and the discovery of oil and gas in the North Sea, it was ideally placed to offer standby support to the production companies with vessels which could sustain all kinds of weather. The Craig Group is now a major offshore company, involving 30 vessels in oil-related work, while also retaining its involvement in fishing. In 2006, in its 73rd year, the company received the Queen's Awards for Enterprise. In the same year, David Craig celebrated his 90th birthday and he is now one of the UK's oldest company Chairmen.
Commenting on his honorary doctorate, Mr Craig said: "This is a tremendous honour but also very humbling, particularly for someone who holds no formal qualifications – I don't think my skipper's ticket counts! On receiving it, I have to pay tribute to my son Douglas and the team of dedicated and professional people who have, over the years, contributed to the national and international success of the Craig Group."
Allan George Shiach - Doctor of Honoris Causa (DHC)
Screenwriter and Film Producer
Allan Shiach is a former director of the Scotch Whisky Association and a former governor of the British Film Institute. These appointments are evidence of the two distinguished but disparate careers he has enjoyed. The former chairman of the company Macallan-Glenlivet, he was responsible for building Macallan into an award-winning international brand. Under the pseudonym of Allan Scott, the Elgin born writer has worked on such cult film noir classics as Don't Look Now. More recently he has been responsible, as writer or executive producer, for a number of critically acclaimed films including Shallow Grave and Regeneration. Allan Shiach is also a former chairman of the Scottish Film Council, the Writers' Guild of Great Britain and of Scottish Screen.
Allan Shiach is delighted to be receiving his honorary doctorate and said: "Any honour which recognises the vitality and relevance of film is very welcome both to me personally - as someone born and raised in the North East - and more importantly as a mark of the University's commitment to Scottish media culture. Film is a truly international medium with a unique ability to resonate throughout the world and by this award the University helps to recognise all Scottish film makers who play such a vital role in reflecting our values, our energy and our achievements far beyond our borders."
Saturday, November 24, at 11.00am
Derek Tucker - Doctor of Honoris Causa (DHC)
Editor, Press & Journal
Derek Tucker, Editor of the Press & Journal, is currently the longest-serving editor of a daily newspaper in Scotland. Born in Liverpool, he began his career at the Express and Star newspaper in Wolverhampton in 1972, rising through the ranks to become its Deputy Editor. Derek Tucker was appointed editor of the Press and Journal in 1992 and became responsible for Scotland's oldest daily newspaper. Established as Aberdeen's Journal in 1748 the newspaper serves, through its various editions, the northern areas of Scotland including the cities of Aberdeen and Inverness. With its network of branch offices and correspondents, the Press & Journal is regarded by many as a truly local newspaper. Under Derek Tucker's editorial leadership it is also widely recognised as a campaigning newspaper.
Speaking ahead of Saturday's ceremony, Mr Tucker said: "I am absolutely delighted and extremely surprised to be recognised in this way by the University of Aberdeen. I view the honour as recognition of the role the Press and Journal plays in the life of the north and north-east of Scotland."
The winter graduation ceremonies will be held at Marischal College, Broad Street on Friday, November 23, at 11.00am and 3.00pm and on Saturday, November 24, at 11.00am.