Doctor Who star Ncuti Gatwa to receive honorary doctorate
Doctor Who Actor to Be Honored with University Degree
Ncuti Gatwa, the actor who portrayed the Doctor in the BBC sci-fi series, and Stuart Murdoch, lead vocalist of the indie band Belle & Sebastian, will be awarded honorary doctorates by the University of Glasgow in the near future. The ceremony, scheduled for June, will also recognize BBC journalist Sarah Smith and her younger sister, Baroness Catherine Smith, who serves as the Advocate General for Scotland. The university emphasized their selection for “a profound and positive impact within their professions and wider society.”
Event Details and Recipients
The first honorary degrees will be presented during a special Commemoration Day event on 17 June, coinciding with the university’s 575th anniversary since its founding in 1451. Gatwa, who starred in the show for two seasons, will receive a Doctor of the University title. Sarah Smith, the BBC’s North America editor, will also be conferred this honor. Baroness Catherine Smith, a graduate of the university’s history program, will be recognized for her role as Advocate General, while Glasgow’s Lord Provost, Jacqueline McLaren, will join them as a Doctor of the University.
Stuart Murdoch, who has led Belle & Sebastian since the 1990s, will be granted a Doctor of Music. Additional honorees include musicians Deacon Blue and Eddi Reader, whose honorary degrees will be awarded at the university’s summer and winter graduation events. Other recipients include Professor Guido Tabellini, who will earn a Doctor of Letters, and Dr Stuart Campbell, an emeritus professor of obstetrics and gynaecology at King’s College London, receiving a Doctor of Science.
“Commemoration Day allows us to reflect on our remarkable history,” said Prof Andy Schofield, the university’s principal and vice chancellor. “Honorary degrees recognize individuals whose achievements have made a lasting, positive mark in their fields and beyond. Their work embodies values that continue to inspire our community. I am delighted to welcome these honorary graduates into the university’s fold at such a significant milestone and to celebrate them alongside our students.”