Honorary graduates 2024
As well as welcoming the Class of 2024 graduands to the alumni community, we were delighted to celebrate, and recognise, several individuals who were awarded an honorary degree in our summer and winter graduation ceremonies.
Tom Chapman
Tom’s degree was in recognition of his creation of The Lions Barber Collective, an international network of barbers who have come together to help raise awareness about mental health.
He has also created an innovative education programme which trains hair and beauty professionals, and now anybody, to recognise, ask, listen and help those around them. It aims to bridge the gap between communities and mental health resources. He is an author, educator, ambassador, and TEDx speaker.
When receiving his degree, Tom encouraged new graduates to devote themselves to a mission and purpose. He said: “Purpose has enabled me to save lives, travel the world, make change and even write four books. Purpose is truly one of the secrets of life. Finding it has given me the drive to continue. This mission has been tough, but things like today reassure me that I’m on the right path.”
Dr Alex George
Former A&E doctor, former UK Youth Mental Health Ambassador and Exeter alum (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery, 2015), Dr Alex George, received his award in recognition of his campaign for extra psychological support for young people.
Alex began bringing the nation accessible and reassuring advice directly from the medical frontline throughout the pandemic. He is now also a presenter, best-selling author and the co-founder of Mettle, the mental fitness app for men. He also has a hugely successful podcast, ‘Stompcast’, which promotes the importance of walking in nature for mental and physical wellbeing.
In a moving speech on the day, he spoke about how the death by suicide of his brother Llŷr spurs on his campaigning work, as he wants others to “see there is always a better day”.
Cush Jumbo OBE
Cush Jumbo is a three-time Olivier nominated actress and well known for starring in US series ‘The Good Wife’ and the Netflix series ‘Stay Close’. She was appointed an OBE in the 2019 Birthday Honours for services to drama. We were delighted to award her an honorary degree in 2024 to mark her astonishing career in film, television and theatre, during which she’s taken control by writing her own roles alongside supporting the next generation of performers.
After reading Shakespeare’s Sonnet 29 as part of her speech she told the new graduates: “I massively congratulate you on what you’ve achieved so far and what you will no doubt achieve in the future. But don’t think about that too much just yet. Because in this wonderful moment there is nowhere more important than right here. This space right now is the centre of the universe and you are exactly where you are meant to be.”
Josh Widdicombe
Comedian, author, presenter and actor Josh Widdicombe shared inspiring advice for new graduates and memories from his youth in Devon when he received his honorary degree.
Josh, is known for his multiple appearances on shows such as ‘Hypothetical’, ‘QI’, ‘Live at the Apollo’, and ‘Taskmaster’. As well as co-hosting two popular podcasts, ‘Parenting Hell’ with Rob Beckett and ‘Quickly Kevin will he score? The 90s Football Show’. Josh also grew up on Dartmoor and attended South Dartmoor Community College and Exeter College.
He told the new graduates: “I can speak from experience that this is a great city to be a student. You’ve been spoiled. For the rest of your life you will never live in a city with a better Wetherspoons than the Imperial. Enjoy it while you can.”
Will Young
Musical superstar, mental health champion and Exeter alumnus (Politics, 2001), Will Young, returned to Exeter to receive his honorary degree. Will was the first Pop Idol winner in 2001 and during his career has released six chart topping albums and earned two BRIT Awards, as well as acting and presenting TV and radio programmes. His podcast ‘The Wellbeing Lab’ has run for two seasons, and he has published two books: ‘To Be A Gay Man’ and ‘Be Yourself And Happier’.
On the day, Will encouraged the audience to be kind and empathetic but also to have strong boundaries and not to follow the crowd. He also told them to remember perfection doesn’t exist and not to compare themselves to others. Reminding listeners to “Always think of generosity. It’s a quality much undervalued and underexplored but when we receive it, we never forget it.”
We had 14 honorary graduates in total accepting awards and the list of other individuals who received honorary degrees from the University of Exeter in 2024 is included below. Many congratulations to all our recipients and a warm welcome to the alumni community.
- Rachel Skinner CBE FREng FICE
- Damon Albarn OBE
- General Sir Patrick Sanders KCB CBE DSO ADC
- Dougie Scarfe OBE DL
- Professor Sir Tony Watson CMG FRS
- Stephen Catlin
- Emeritus Professor Desmond Walling
- Art Rooney II
- Gerry Brown (Economics, 1966)
Josh Widdicombe
Comedian, author, presenter and actor Josh Widdicombe shared inspiring advice for new graduates and memories from his youth in Devon when he received his honorary degree.
Josh, is known for his multiple appearances on shows such as ‘Hypothetical’, ‘QI’, ‘Live at the Apollo’, and ‘Taskmaster’. As well as co-hosting two popular podcasts, ‘Parenting Hell’ with Rob Beckett and ‘Quickly Kevin will he score? The 90s Football Show’. Josh also grew up on Dartmoor and attended South Dartmoor Community College and Exeter College.
He told the new graduates: “I can speak from experience that this is a great city to be a student. You’ve been spoiled. For the rest of your life you will never live in a city with a better Wetherspoons than the Imperial. Enjoy it while you can.”
Will Young
Musical superstar, mental health champion and Exeter alumnus (Politics, 2001), Will Young, returned to Exeter to receive his honorary degree. Will was the first Pop Idol winner in 2001 and during his career has released six chart topping albums and earned two BRIT Awards, as well as acting and presenting TV and radio programmes. His podcast ‘The Wellbeing Lab’ has run for two seasons, and he has published two books: ‘To Be A Gay Man’ and ‘Be Yourself And Happier’.
On the day, Will encouraged the audience to be kind and empathetic but also to have strong boundaries and not to follow the crowd. He also told them to remember perfection doesn’t exist and not to compare themselves to others. Reminding listeners to “Always think of generosity. It’s a quality much undervalued and underexplored but when we receive it, we never forget it.”
We had 14 honorary graduates in total accepting awards and the list of other individuals who received honorary degrees from the University of Exeter in 2024 is included below. Many congratulations to all our recipients and a warm welcome to the alumni community.
- Rachel Skinner CBE FREng FICE
- Damon Albarn OBE
- General Sir Patrick Sanders KCB CBE DSO ADC
- Dougie Scarfe OBE DL
- Professor Sir Tony Watson CMG FRS
- Stephen Catlin
- Emeritus Professor Desmond Walling
- Art Rooney II
- Gerry Brown (Economics, 1966)
You can watch their speeches via our ceremonies link:
You can listen to several interviews online:
We look forward to watching all of our honorary graduates shine in their careers going forward and continuing to celebrate their achievements. You can watch a clip from our chat with Josh Widdicombe below.
