One of Scotland’s leading storytellers and ballad singers will be among those honoured by the University of Aberdeen next week at its Winter Graduation ceremonies.
Stanley Robertson, who left school at 14-years-old without any formal qualifications, will receive an honorary degree of Master of the University (MUniv) on Thursday, November 27 at Elphinstone Hall, King's College.
Robertson is the nephew of Jeannie Robertson, considered the greatest singer of ballads ever recorded in Scotland.
He is an acknowledged expert on the Scottish Traveller community, whose cultural traditions, songs and stories he has long promoted across the North of Scotland.
Others due to receive honorary doctorates include Susan Rice CBE, Chairman and Chief Executive of Lloyds TSB Scotland, leading epidemiologist Sir Roy Anderson and Dr Bill Buyers, the distinguished physicist.
Professor C Duncan Rice, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University said he was looking forward to welcoming this year's honorary graduands.
"The University of Aberdeen is proud to recognise the achievements of such distinguished and talented individuals. We welcome them all warmly to the University family as Honorary Graduates."
In a break from tradition, the Winter Graduation Ceremonies will take place at Elphinstone Hall, King's College on November 27 and 28 due to the current work being carried out at Marischal College.
It is believed to be the first time in over a hundred years that graduation ceremonies have not been held in the College's Mitchell Hall.
The full list of graduands and the time of their ceremony is as follows:
Thursday 27 November at 6.30 pm
William Stanley Robertson
Singer, Storyteller, Writer and Musician
Stanley Robertson is one of Scotland's leading storytellers and ballad singers. An expert in his field, he has promoted the cultural traditions of Scottish Travellers among young people, in schools and community groups, including young Travellers.
Friday 28 November at 11.00 am
Susan Rice CBE, FRSE, BA, MLitt, DHC, DBA
Chairman and Chief Executive, Lloyds TSB Scotland plc
Susan Rice CBE, Chairman and Chief Executive of Lloyds TSB Scotland, became the first woman to head a UK clearing bank when she assumed that role in 2000. Originally from the United States, Mrs Rice is a graduate of the University of Aberdeen.
Friday 28 November at 3.00 pm
Sir Roy Anderson FRS, FMedSci
Rector, Imperial College London
Sir Roy Anderson, a leading epidemiologist, became Rector of Imperial College London in July 2008. Much of his career has been with Imperial College and, in 2000, he founded its Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, focused on the epidemiology, population biology, evolution and control of infectious diseases such as AIDS and HIV and SARS.
Friday 28 November at 6.30 pm
William J L Buyers FRSC, FInstPhys
Guest Scientist and Principal Research Officer (Retired) for the National Research Council at Chalk River Laboratories, Ontario, Canada and Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, Toronto
Dr Bill Buyers, an Aberdeen graduate, has enjoyed a distinguished career in condensed matter physics, in particular his scientific breakthroughs in the field of magnetism. Since 1965 he has pursued his career in Canada, recently retiring as a Principal Research Officer of its National Research Council.